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Read The Great Gilly Hopkins Chapters 1-4; Complete Student Packet Worksheets for Chapters 1-4; Bring in a photograph of a friend or family member for Lesson 2.

Ask for two student volunteers to read and act out the scenario on the Role-Play Scenario Worksheet. As the rest of the class watches and listens to the role-playing scene, have students think about the types of conflicts, arguments, or disagreements taking place in the scene. Ask: "Do you see any conflicts or problems in the scene? Can you identify more than one type of conflict going on?"

will explain that just like we saw in the realistic scenario, conflicts exist in works of realistic fiction. I will hand out the Types of Plot Conflicts Handout to become familiar with the types of plot conflicts that were displayed in the classroom scene.

I will read aloud the description of each plot conflict from the handout. I will explain that although more than one plot conflict—or all four plot conflicts—can exist in any story, I will be focusing on Character vs. Character and Character vs. Self for the Realistic Fiction Genre and The Great Gilly Hopkins. As I read the descriptions of the conflicts, I will try to identify which plot conflict or conflicts were shown in our scenario. I will figure out the plot conflicts in the Role-Play Scenario by looking at the Types of Plot Conflicts Handout to identify which conflicts were shown in the scenario. For each conflict, I will answer the following questions: Who is the conflict between? What is the cause of the conflict? Describe the tension in the conflict.

The first conflict I come across in the scenario is between two people, Mark and Juan. That answers the first question about who the conflict is between. Next, I will figure out what is the cause of the conflict. The friends are arguing over a trading card. Finally, I will describe the tension: Juan accuses Mark of being jealous. By recalling the Types of Plot Conflicts, I see that this plot conflict is an example of a Character vs. Character plot conflict because it is between two people. I will write this down on Plot Conflicts Chart 1. Note: See Plot Conflicts Chart 1 for specific examples. Save this chart for use with Lesson 4.

I will chart another plot conflict in the scenario by answering questions about the conflict I will record the information on Plot Conflicts Chart 1. Who is this conflict between? I see that Juan kicks a stone in anger. He’s upset that he argued with his best friend and he’s trying to figure out how to make it better. This conflict is an internal one; it is happening inside of Juan’s head. What is the cause of the conflict? Juan is upset that he accused his friend of jealousy. Finally, I will describe the tension in the conflict. In this case, Juan is angry with himself for messing things up with his friend. I can say that this is a Character vs. Self plot conflict.

Now, I will look for plot conflicts in Chapters 1 and 2 of The Great Gilly Hopkins as I skim the chapters and read aloud parts that show a possible conflict. Note: Read aloud the first three pages of Chapter 1, ending with Miss Ellis saying, “she’s really a nice person.” Have students follow along in their books while you read the text aloud. Explain to students that the interactions between Miss Ellis and Gilly show a Character vs. Character Plot Conflict because Miss Ellis and Gilly are discussing Gilly’s experience with foster families and Gilly is giving Miss Ellis a hard time. Walk students through the three bulleted questions (from step 2 in Direct Teaching) so they understand the details and tension in the plot conflict. Record the responses to the questions on Plot Conflicts Chart 1. 

I will continue reading to look for a Character vs. Self Plot Conflict in Chapter 2 and answer the three questions bulleted questions (from step 2 in Direct Teaching) to gain more information about these conflicts. Note: Read aloud from the beginning of Chapter 2 until the paragraph ending, “She went downstairs.” Have students follow along in their books while you read the text aloud. Record the responses to the questions on Plot Conflicts Chart 1. Tell students that this chapter shows a lot of internal dialogue for Gilly, but the last paragraph has an example of a conflict. When Gilly thinks about the word “mother” it sets off something deep in her stomach and she shoves the pictures under a T-shirt and bangs the drawer shut. This shows that Gilly has some internal anger happening. This is a Character vs. Self Plot Conflict because the conflict or disagreement is within Gilly, not with another character.

Ask: "How can I identify a plot conflict in a text?" Students should respond that you can look at conflicts in a text and figure out details about the conflict, such as who is involved in the conflict and what the conflict is about, to decide what kind of conflict is presented in the story.

will read aloud Chapter 3 of The Great Gilly Hopkins. As we read, we will pause when we come across a Character vs. Character or a Character vs. Self Plot Conflict and chart the conflict on Plot Conflicts Chart  As we find a conflict in Chapter 3, we will discuss and answer the plot conflict questions on Plot Conflicts Chart: Who is the conflict between? What is the cause of the conflict? Describe the tension in the conflict. Note: Examples are included on Plot Conflicts Chart 2. Plot Conflicts include: Gilly banging her door to her room when Trotter didn’t mention anything about her hair for Character vs. Self; Gilly seething in Miss Harris’ classroom for Character vs. Self; or Gilly fighting with the boys in the school yard for Character vs. Character. Save this chart for use with Lesson 4.

will reread Chapter 4 and identify plot conflicts in the chapter. As you come to a conflict, you will answer the following questions: Who is the conflict between? What is the cause of the conflict? Describe the tension in the conflict. You will record your answers to the questions for each conflict on the Plot Conflicts Worksheet in your Student Packet. (See pages 10-11 in the Student Packet.)

will discuss the plot conflicts we have identified. We will read aloud the plot conflicts we have identified. As each conflict is read aloud, the class will decide what kind of plot conflict is presented, either Character vs. Character or Character vs. Self. As a class, we will make a prediction for each plot conflict. Ask, "what might happen as a result of this plot conflict? Which force will prevail? Will Gilly find her mother? Will Gilly accept her foster family?" Note: Students will need to bring in a photograph of a friend or family member for Lesson 2.