Holes Lesson 9: Yellow-spotted Lizards - Lesson Plan

In Lesson 9 of the "Holes" novel study, the learning objective is to explore how authors craft vivid descriptions to conjure images in the reader's mind while deepening their grasp of the narrative. To achieve this, students will use the vivid description from Chapter 8 as a springboard to draw and label a Yellow-spotted lizard. This artistic endeavor will be complemented by a creative writing exercise where students pen an 'alternative' letter home from the protagonist, Stanley's perspective. The success of the lesson will be gauged through the students' lizard diagrams and their written letters, which will collectively demonstrate their understanding of the plot and the author's descriptive prowess.

The lesson is structured to cater to varying levels of comprehension and engagement. Students are expected to, at the very least, gain a basic understanding of the plot and the author's descriptive techniques. More secure and detailed understanding will be demonstrated through deeper insights into the narrative and the author's stylistic choices. Differentiation opportunities are woven into the lesson plan, allowing for adjustments to the PowerPoint presentation, scaffolding, and a balance between teacher guidance and independent learning tailored to students' abilities. The lesson begins with a collaborative starter activity, where the class reads and discusses the characters, themes, and key events up to the end of Chapter 8. The main activity involves drawing the lizard, followed by the letter writing task, with an extension for higher achievers to write a reply as Stanley's mother. The plenary involves peer and self-assessment, where students share their letters and provide feedback on their strengths and areas for improvement.