Activity Overview
Storyboarding is an excellent way to focus on types of literary conflicts.
Having students create storyboards that show different types of conflicts strengthens analytical thinking about literary concepts. Have your students choose examples of internal and external conflicts and depict them using the storyboard creator. In the storyboard, an example of each conflict should be visually represented, along with an explanation of the scene and how the conflict is resolved.
The Cay Internal and External Conflicts
| Internal Conflict | External Conflict |
|---|---|
| Due to their racial differences, Phillip struggles to accept Timothy as an equal. He views Timothy negatively, but needs him to survive. Eventually, this conflict is resolved when Phillip asks Timothy to be his friend. | Phillip comes into conflict with Timothy many times. During their last major conflict, Phillip insults Timothy and Timothy responds by slapping him. Their conflicts are resolved when Phillip realizes Timothy is trying to help him, and the two become friends. |
| Phillip struggles to accept his blindness. When he first loses his sight, he is angry and afraid. He lashes out at Timothy and cries when he is alone. He refuses to do much of anything, even though his attitude may hurt his chance of survival. This problem is resolved when Phillip decides to work to overcome his limitations and accepts Timothy's survival training. | When Phillip is bitten by an eel, he experiences an external conflict. He resolves the conflict by deciding never again to dive for langosta in that hole. |
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows literary conflict in The Cay.
- Identify conflicts in The Cay.
- Categorize each conflict as Internal or External.
- Illustrate conflicts in the cells, using characters from the story.
- Write a short description of the conflict below the cell.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conflict Identification | Student identifies conflicts as directed and labels them accurately in their correct categories. | Student misidentifies one conflict or includes it in an incorrect category. | Student misidentifies two or more conflicts or includes them in incorrect categories. |
| Conflict Explanation | The storyboard text describes the specific example depicted, not just a general problem. The text clearly explains how the example reflects its particular type of conflict. | The storyboard text describes the specific example depicted, but may lack clarity. Text may fail to fully explain how the example reflects its particular type of conflict. | Storyboard is missing text or contains only partial and/or inaccurate information. |
| Storyboard Image and Effort | Student clearly shows effort to convey the setting, characters and specific scene of the book. The scene is clearly identifiable based on the graphic depiction. | Student attempts to convey the setting, characters, and specific scene through use of graphics, but the depiction may be confusing, disordered, or lack some detail. | Student does not clearly convey the setting, characters, and scene. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Student uses exemplary spelling and grammar. There are no errors. | Student makes one or two minor errors in spelling and grammar. | Student makes multiple errors in spelling and grammar. |
Activity Overview
Storyboarding is an excellent way to focus on types of literary conflicts.
Having students create storyboards that show different types of conflicts strengthens analytical thinking about literary concepts. Have your students choose examples of internal and external conflicts and depict them using the storyboard creator. In the storyboard, an example of each conflict should be visually represented, along with an explanation of the scene and how the conflict is resolved.
The Cay Internal and External Conflicts
| Internal Conflict | External Conflict |
|---|---|
| Due to their racial differences, Phillip struggles to accept Timothy as an equal. He views Timothy negatively, but needs him to survive. Eventually, this conflict is resolved when Phillip asks Timothy to be his friend. | Phillip comes into conflict with Timothy many times. During their last major conflict, Phillip insults Timothy and Timothy responds by slapping him. Their conflicts are resolved when Phillip realizes Timothy is trying to help him, and the two become friends. |
| Phillip struggles to accept his blindness. When he first loses his sight, he is angry and afraid. He lashes out at Timothy and cries when he is alone. He refuses to do much of anything, even though his attitude may hurt his chance of survival. This problem is resolved when Phillip decides to work to overcome his limitations and accepts Timothy's survival training. | When Phillip is bitten by an eel, he experiences an external conflict. He resolves the conflict by deciding never again to dive for langosta in that hole. |
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows literary conflict in The Cay.
- Identify conflicts in The Cay.
- Categorize each conflict as Internal or External.
- Illustrate conflicts in the cells, using characters from the story.
- Write a short description of the conflict below the cell.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conflict Identification | Student identifies conflicts as directed and labels them accurately in their correct categories. | Student misidentifies one conflict or includes it in an incorrect category. | Student misidentifies two or more conflicts or includes them in incorrect categories. |
| Conflict Explanation | The storyboard text describes the specific example depicted, not just a general problem. The text clearly explains how the example reflects its particular type of conflict. | The storyboard text describes the specific example depicted, but may lack clarity. Text may fail to fully explain how the example reflects its particular type of conflict. | Storyboard is missing text or contains only partial and/or inaccurate information. |
| Storyboard Image and Effort | Student clearly shows effort to convey the setting, characters and specific scene of the book. The scene is clearly identifiable based on the graphic depiction. | Student attempts to convey the setting, characters, and specific scene through use of graphics, but the depiction may be confusing, disordered, or lack some detail. | Student does not clearly convey the setting, characters, and scene. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Student uses exemplary spelling and grammar. There are no errors. | Student makes one or two minor errors in spelling and grammar. | Student makes multiple errors in spelling and grammar. |
How Tos about Literary Conflict in The Cay
Organize a Class Discussion About Literary Conflict
Encourage students to share their thoughts on internal and external conflicts in The Cay. This promotes critical thinking and helps students understand the impact of conflict on character development.
Prepare Open-Ended Questions for Student Reflection
Ask questions like, "How did Phillip’s attitude change throughout the story?" or "Why are both internal and external conflicts important in literature?" These questions foster deeper discussion and personal connections to the text.
Assign Roles for Small Group Analysis
Divide the class into small groups and assign each group a specific conflict from the novel to analyze. This encourages collaboration and ensures all students participate in the activity.
Guide Students to Present Their Findings
Have each group share their analysis with the class. This practice builds communication skills and helps students learn from each other's perspectives.
Wrap Up With a Quick-Write Reflection
Ask students to write a brief paragraph on what they learned about literary conflict in The Cay. This solidifies understanding and provides insight into their learning process.
Frequently Asked Questions about Literary Conflict in The Cay
What are examples of internal and external conflict in The Cay?
Internal conflicts in The Cay include Phillip's struggle to accept Timothy and cope with his blindness. External conflicts involve arguments between Phillip and Timothy and challenges like the eel bite. These conflicts drive character growth and the story's resolution.
How can I teach literary conflict using The Cay?
You can have students identify and categorize conflicts from The Cay as internal or external, then use storyboards to illustrate and explain each one. This visual activity strengthens analytical thinking about literary concepts.
What is the best way to create a storyboard for conflicts in The Cay?
The best way is to select key scenes showing conflict, label each as internal or external, visually represent the characters and situation, and add a short description explaining the conflict and its resolution.
Why is it important for students to identify both internal and external conflicts in literature?
Identifying both types helps students understand character motivation and story development, fostering deeper comprehension and critical thinking about the text.
What are some quick lesson ideas for teaching conflict in The Cay to middle schoolers?
Try activities like storyboarding conflict scenes, group discussions, or having students role-play conflicts from The Cay. These approaches engage different learning styles and make the concept memorable.
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