Holes Lesson 10: The Changing Stan - Lesson Plan

In this English reading lesson, focusing on the novel study of "Holes", Year 6 students are tasked with exploring the character development of Stanley. The learning objective is to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the techniques the author uses to evolve Stanley's character throughout the story. The lesson aims to achieve this through a blend of role play, reading, discussion, and a specific writing task named 'The Changing Stanley'. Students will engage in these activities to assess their progress, with the expected outcomes ranging from gaining a basic to an insightful understanding of Stanley's character transformation.

The lesson begins with a starter activity called 'Stanley Phones Home', which is a collaborative speaking and listening exercise lasting 10 minutes. The main teaching activity spans 40 minutes and includes reading up to page 60 of the novel, followed by a discussion of the main events, characters, and themes. Students are then introduced to 'The Changing Stanley' task, where they will write a page reflecting on how Stanley's character has changed as the novel progresses. An extension question prompts them to consider Stanley's potential future development within the story. Differentiation opportunities are provided to cater to varying abilities, such as editing the PowerPoint, adding or removing scaffolding, and balancing teacher guidance with independent learning. The plenary, lasting 10 minutes, involves pupils reading their work aloud to the class, with a focus on constructive criticism and peer and self-assessment.