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Read Chapters 10-12; Complete Student Packet Worksheets for Chapters 10-12

Ask students to think about the science fiction movies and TV shows the class previously listed and discussed in Lesson 3. Have the class discuss a problem or conflict in the plot of these movies or shows, and how the problem was solved and/or how the movie ended.

will explain that plot conflicts are problems that characters face in a story. I will review the four major plot conflicts: Character vs. Character, Character vs. Self, Character vs. Nature, and Character vs. Society. I will explain that in many science fiction texts, you can find several plot conflicts. In every plot conflict presented, usually one force prevails or succeeds. In Only You Can Save Mankind, there are several plot conflicts: Johnny vs. the ScreeWees, Johnny vs. Himself, the ScreeWees vs. Society, the Captain vs. the Gunnery Officer, and Johnny vs. Kirsty.

I will identify one plot conflict: Johnny vs. Himself. Johnny often questions himself and doubts that what he is seeing on the screen is real. Johnny has an internal conflict about what to do: should he continue to shoot the aliens as people are expected to do in a video game, or should he do the right thing and respond to their call for help?

I will skim the book to identify the point in which this internal plot conflict is resolved. In Chapter 3, Johnny stops questioning himself and his actions when he realizes that what he saw on the screen was real. The conflict Johnny has about shooting the aliens or helping them is resolved when he realizes that he should continue to help them because what he saw on the screen was real.

Now, I will recall the events that led to this resolution. In Chapter 3, Johnny sees the girl at J&J Software complaining that the game doesn’t work. When Mr. Patel tests the game, the kids see that there is nothing but space. Johnny realizes that the ScreeWees got away because he helped them and he was not imagining the whole thing. Note: Use the Independent Practice as a guide in charting the information for students.

Ask: "How can I explain how a plot conflict is resolved?" Students should answer that they can analyze the conflict by identifying the resolution point in the story and then recalling the events that led to the resolution.

will identify and examine another plot conflict: the ScreeWees vs. Society. We will record information about this plot conflict by skimming the book or recalling details. We can recall that the ScreeWees do not want humans to shoot them, even though that is what the human players are supposed to do. In Only You Can Save Mankind, the ScreeWees are always fighting against human society and human ideas.

We will identify the point in which this plot conflict is resolved. We can recall that the ScreeWees choose Johnny to help them. He becomes the Chosen One. Johnny saves the ScreeWees by leading them across the border. This action resolves the plot conflict.

Now we will recall the events that led up to the resolution. We can recall that Johnny asked Kirsty to help him in the game. Together, the two players helped the ScreeWee reach the border safely. Note: Use the Independent Practice as a guide in charting the information with students.

will examine the plot conflict of the Captain vs. the Gunnery Officer. You will write the details of this conflict on your Plot Conflict Worksheet in the Student Packet. (See page 21 in the Student Packet.) You will identify the point in which this plot conflict was resolved, and you will examine and record the events that led to the resolution.

will come back together to discuss the conflict and the details that show how it was resolved. We will discuss the following question: The ScreeWees lost a lot of lives in their attempt to escape the game. Did the Captain make the right choice?