Holes Lesson 13: The Past and the Present - Lesson Plan

In Lesson 13 of the 'Holes' novel study, the learning objective is to enhance students' comprehension of how the author, Louis Sachar, skilfully employs language to conjure vivid imagery and establish the mood of the story. The session is structured to achieve this through a focused task on Green Lake's contrasting depictions in the past and present within the novel. Students will partake in a written exercise that serves as both the main activity and a means of assessing their progress in understanding Sachar's literary techniques.

The lesson begins with a starter activity where students read up to the end of Chapter 23, followed by a collaborative discussion on the characters, themes, and pivotal events encountered thus far. This sets the stage for the main teaching activity, which spans 35 minutes and is divided into three parts: the teacher's introduction and demonstration of the Green Lake Past and Present task, students filling out a comparative table, and then writing a detailed paragraph based on their findings. For those who finish early, an extension activity is available, prompting them to write an additional paragraph about The Warden using the information from their table. Differentiation opportunities are provided to cater to varying abilities, including the option to edit the PowerPoint presentation, adjust scaffolding, and balance teacher guidance with independent learning. The lesson culminates in a plenary session where students engage in peer and self-assessment, offering feedback and constructive criticism on the work completed.