Holes Lesson 1: Developing Reading Skills - PowerPoint

In the initial lesson of 'Holes', students are encouraged to develop their reading skills through a series of predictive and analytical exercises. The lesson objectives are twofold: firstly, to make educated guesses about the content of the book using its front and back covers, including the blurb; and secondly, to delve into the use of language that establishes the setting within the text. The activity begins with a discussion on what draws individuals to choose a particular book, be it the cover design, the fame of the author, the genre, or an enticing blurb. Students then examine the covers of 'Holes', drawing on visual and textual cues to infer aspects of the story, before listening to the blurb read aloud and discussing its role in piquing interest.

Attention then shifts to the setting of the novel, Camp Green Lake, as described in the opening chapter. Working in pairs, students are tasked with identifying words and phrases that contribute to creating a hostile environment within the narrative. To deepen their understanding, extension questions prompt further analysis. These questions probe the significance of the first line, the peculiar use of inverted commas around "lake", the implications of ownership over shade by the Warden, the impact of repetition in the text, and their initial impressions of Camp Green Lake. After a thorough investigation, students come together in a plenary session to discuss their insights with another pair and to consider whether the author has effectively engaged the reader's curiosity from the outset.