Holes Lesson 11: Themes - Lesson Plan

In Lesson 11 of an English Novel Study on "Holes," students are set to explore the concept of themes and how authors communicate their messages to readers. The learning objective is to understand the main themes of the novel "Holes" and the writer's perspective. This will be achieved through engaging discussions, examining morality tales, and the creation of a themes mind map, which also serves as a method for assessing progress. The expected outcomes of the lesson are structured into three tiers: all students must gain a basic understanding of the themes, most should achieve a secure understanding, and some could reach an insight into the themes and the writer's point of view.

The lesson is structured to cater to different learning needs through the differentiation opportunities provided. Teachers can edit the PowerPoint to suit their class, add or remove scaffolding, and balance teacher guidance with independent learning according to the abilities of their students. The starter activity, lasting 10 minutes, involves a collaborative discussion on morality tales, exemplified by completing an activity related to "The Tortoise and the Hare." The main teaching activity spans 40 minutes, beginning with a 10-minute discussion on themes, followed by the teacher modelling how to create a themes mind map for another 10 minutes. Pupils then spend 20 minutes developing their own mind maps. An extension question challenges students to consider why novels have themes and their importance. The plenary, lasting 10 minutes, involves setting homework for the next lesson and incorporates peer and self-assessment to reinforce learning outcomes.