Holes Lesson 3: Stanley and the Curse - Lesson Plan

The third lesson in the Holes novel study series aims to deepen students' understanding of literary themes and character analysis, focusing on the character Stanley Yelnats. The learning objective is to explore the concept of 'theme' within a novel and to analyse how the author introduces and presents the character of Stanley to the reader. Progress is assessed through class discussions and a task centered on narrative hooks, with expected outcomes ranging from gaining a basic to a secure understanding of theme and insights into Stanley's character.

The lesson plan is structured to accommodate different learning needs through differentiation opportunities. Teachers can edit the PowerPoint presentation as needed, use or remove scaffolding in the 'Introducing Stanley' task, and strike a balance between teacher guidance and independent learning based on students' abilities. The starter activity, lasting 10 minutes, encourages collaborative discussion about the family curse and the notions of fate and destiny. The main teaching activity spans 40 minutes, where students first form initial impressions of Stanley Yelnats, either individually or in pairs, then share and discuss their findings with the class. This is followed by a 25-minute task where pupils write a detailed paragraph about Stanley, with close reference to the text and the option to use scaffolding. The lesson concludes with a 10-minute plenary session for feedback, peer, and self-assessment, solidifying the understanding achieved during the lesson.