🎭 The Situation
It’s Friday afternoon, and the Reynolds family is looking at a busy weekend. Everyone has plans—some fun, some necessary. To make matters more complicated, the apartment is under partial renovation (living room & kitchen out of use Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning).
The family dog, Buddy, a 1-year-old energetic Labrador, cannot be left alone for long. He needs:
- Breakfast at 7 AM
- Dinner at 8 PM
- Two long walks (one in the morning, one in the afternoon/evening)
- Some company during the day
The family friend, Claire, often helps with Buddy, but she’s busy too.
Target of the role-play:
The family + Claire must negotiate and compromise to make sure Buddy is cared for Friday evening → Sunday night. They need to discuss availability, distances, transport, and even possibly moving Buddy between locations.
📝 Role Cards
1. Mother – Anna Reynolds
- Plans:
- Friday: Off work at 5 PM, yoga class 6–7 PM (5 km away, bus).
- Saturday: Day trip to nearby town with friends 9 AM–6 PM (train, gone all day).
- Sunday: At home most of the day but apartment partly under renovation until 12 noon (so Buddy can’t be inside then). Afternoon shopping 3–5 PM.
- Availability: Evenings except Saturday.
- Transport: Bus or family car (if available).
- Special note: Feels strongly responsible for Buddy, but also really wants her Saturday trip.
2. Father – David Reynolds
- Plans:
- Friday: Works late, home around 8 PM.
- Saturday: Renovation work with contractors 10 AM–3 PM (must be at home, but dust/noise means Buddy can’t stay inside).
- Sunday: Golf game with colleagues 9 AM–1 PM (20 km away, needs car). Free after that.
- Availability: Friday late, Saturday early morning & late afternoon, Sunday afternoon.
- Transport: Family car (sometimes clashing with Anna).
- Special note: Practical-minded, willing to take walks but not always flexible.
3. Offspring – Alex Reynolds (16)
- Plans:
- Friday: Football practice 5–7 PM (bike, 3 km).
- Saturday: Movie outing with friends 1–5 PM (bus, 4 km).
- Sunday: Group project at library 10 AM–2 PM (bus, 5 km).
- Availability: Mornings & evenings, except when out.
- Transport: Bike or bus.
- Special note: Loves Buddy but doesn’t always remember responsibilities.
4. Offspring – Taylor Reynolds (14)
- Plans:
- Friday: Sleepover at friend’s house from 6 PM (stays overnight, back Saturday 11 AM).
- Saturday: Afternoon dance rehearsal 2–6 PM (bus, 2 km).
- Sunday: Mostly at home, except quick coffee outing with friends 4–6 PM.
- Availability: Saturday morning & evening, most of Sunday.
- Transport: Bus, parents.
- Special note: Very attached to Buddy, willing to adjust plans a bit.
5. Family Friend – Claire Peterson (trusted neighbour, age 35)
- Plans:
- Friday: Free after 6 PM.
- Saturday: Volunteering at animal shelter 12–4 PM (10 km away, drives).
- Sunday: Visiting parents 11 AM–3 PM (20 km away, drives).
- Availability: Friday evening, Saturday morning & evening, Sunday early morning & evening.
- Transport: Own car.
- Special note: Knows Buddy well, reliable, but not always available.
🐶 The Dog – Buddy
- 1-year-old Labrador (energetic, hates being alone).
- Needs feeding at 7 AM and 8 PM.
- Needs 2 longer walks per day.
- Needs someone around (not all day, but can’t be alone for more than 3–4 hours).
🎯 The Players’ Task
- Step 1: Compare schedules and find gaps.
- Step 2: Negotiate who feeds Buddy (Fri evening, Sat morning & evening, Sun morning & evening).
- Step 3: Assign the two longer walks each day.
- Step 4: Decide where Buddy will stay during renovations and when no one is home.
- Step 5: Make compromises (swap plans, delay outings, share transport, etc.).
👉 The aim is to produce a final “Dog Schedule” from Friday evening to Sunday night.
🐶 Role-Play: Who Takes Care of Buddy?
The Challenge
The Reynolds family has a busy weekend with clashing schedules and home renovations. Their Labrador Buddy needs:
- Breakfast 7 AM
- Dinner 8 PM
- Two long walks a day
- Company (not alone more than 3–4 hours)
👉 Your task: Negotiate and complete Buddy’s weekend care plan from Friday evening to Sunday night.
📝 Step 1: Read Your Role Card
Each student has a role card with their own schedule.
📝 Step 2: Fill in Buddy’s Schedule
| TIME | TASK | WHO WILL DO IT? |
| Friday | ||
| 7-8 PM | Dinner | |
| 8-9 PM | Evening walk | |
| Evening | Company at home | |
| Saturday | ||
| 7 AM | Breakfast | |
| Morning | Long walk | |
| 9 AM- 3 PM | Company (renovation, Buddy can’t be at home) | |
| Afternoon | Long walk | |
| 8 PM | Dinner | |
| Evening | Company | |
| Sunday | ||
| 7 AM | Breakfast | |
| Morning | Long Walk | |
| 10 AM – 12 PM | Company (renovation, Buddy can’t be at home) | |
| Afternoon | Long walk | |
| 8 PM | Dinner | |
| Evening | Company |
📝 Step 3: Negotiate
- Compromise where schedules clash.
- Ask: Who is free? Who can adjust? Who is willing to swap?
- Remember: Buddy cannot be left alone too long!
4 Da Teechur’s Iz only as this link contains a Sample Solution! No doubt you’ll come to a different solution and that’s only to be expected.
✅ Teacher Solution Sheet (Sample Negotiated Plan)
Friday
- Dinner (8 PM): Alex (after football, a bit late ~7:30 PM)
- Evening walk: David (after work, 8 PM)
- Company: Whole family at home
Saturday
- Breakfast (7 AM): Anna (before day trip)
- Morning walk: Anna (short walk before leaving)
- Company 9 AM–3 PM: Claire takes Buddy in the morning → keeps him at her place while David has contractors at home
- Afternoon walk: Claire (4 PM, after shelter shift)
- Dinner (8 PM): Alex (back from movies)
- Evening company: Taylor (back from rehearsal)
Sunday
- Breakfast (7 AM): Taylor
- Morning walk: Taylor (long walk before David’s golf)
- Company 10 AM–12 PM: Claire (at her apartment while Anna & David are unavailable)
- Afternoon walk: David (back from golf)
- Dinner (8 PM): David
- Evening company: Whole family
✦ Buddy is happy all weekend! ✦
A follow-up activity:
🐶 Discussion Questions: Owning a Dog
Why Get a Dog?
- Why do people decide to get a dog in the first place?
- Do you think most people get a dog for companionship, protection, or lifestyle reasons?
- Could loneliness be a good enough reason to buy a dog? Why/why not?
Pros & Cons
- What are the main advantages of owning a dog?
- What are the possible disadvantages or difficulties?
- How does having a dog affect your social life, free time, or finances?
Responsibilities & Care
- Who should take care of the dog in a family? Should responsibilities be shared equally?
- How much daily time and effort should an owner be ready to give?
- What are the financial costs involved in having a dog?
- What could happen if a family is not responsible enough with their dog?
Choosing a Breed
- On what grounds should a family choose a breed?
- Do you think people sometimes choose breeds for the wrong reasons (fashion, looks, status)?
- Should large or “difficult” breeds only be allowed for experienced owners?
Dogs in Human Life
- What roles can dogs play besides being pets (e.g., guide dogs, rescue dogs, therapy dogs)?
- Do you think dogs are more useful in cities or in the countryside? Why?
- How do dogs influence the atmosphere in a home or family?
Experiences & Opinions
- Have you had positive or negative experiences with dogs? Tell about them.
- Why do some people dislike or even fear dogs?
- Should everyone be comfortable around dogs, or is it okay not to like them?
Personal Choice
20. Could you imagine your life without dogs in society at all? What would change?
21. If you could choose any breed, which one would it be and why?
22. Would you rather adopt a dog from a shelter or buy from a breeder? Why?
🐾 Vocabulary List: Talking About Dogs
| English | Finnish |
|---|---|
| breed | rotu |
| pedigree dog | rotukoira |
| mixed-breed / mutt | sekarotuinen koira |
| puppy | pentu |
| leash / lead | talutushihna |
| collar | kaulapanta |
| muzzle | kuonokoppa |
| kennel / doghouse | koirankoppi |
| shelter | koiratarha / eläinsuojelu |
| adoption | adoptointi |
| veterinarian (vet) | eläinlääkäri |
| vaccination | rokotus |
| neutering / spaying | sterilointi / kastraatio |
| responsibility | vastuu |
| companionship | toveruus, seura |
| loyalty | uskollisuus |
| obedience | kuuliaisuus |
| to train (a dog) | kouluttaa (koiraa) |
| to walk a dog | ulkoiluttaa koiraa |
| to feed a dog | ruokkia koira |
| to groom | hoitaa turkkia |
| barking | haukkuminen |
| wagging tail | heiluttava häntä |
| guard dog | vahtikoira |
| guide dog | opaskoira |
| rescue dog | pelastuskoira |
| therapy dog | terapiakoira |
| dog owner | koiranomistaja |
| responsibility of ownership | omistajan vastuu |
| commitment | sitoutuminen |
| expenses / costs | kulut |
| neglect | laiminlyönti |
| animal rights | eläinten oikeudet |
