Holes Lesson 20: The Past is a Foreign Country - PowerPoint

In an engaging lesson designed around the novel "Holes" by Louis Sachar, students are encouraged to explore the intricate connections between the main plot and the sub-plot up to Chapter 40. The lesson's objectives are clear: to understand how Sachar weaves the two storylines together and to delve into the analysis of the narrative links present in the text. As part of the lesson, students are prompted to predict the future events in the story, using their understanding of the plot developments so far. This anticipatory activity sets the stage for deeper analysis and comprehension.

After reading to the end of Chapter 40, the class is invited to examine specific images, motifs, and themes that recur in both the main plot and the sub-plot. For instance, the motif of peaches is explored through Zero's survival on spiced peaches and the historical reference to Katherine Barlow's famous peaches. Other themes such as crime and punishment, as well as symbols like onions, a boat, and God's thumb, are also discussed in relation to both storylines. To consolidate their understanding, students are tasked with writing a paragraph that articulates the links between the past and present narratives in "Holes," supported by sentence starters provided in the lesson. This activity not only reinforces narrative analysis skills but also encourages students to consider the thematic significance of Sachar's storytelling techniques.