Holes by Louis Sachar - A Novel Study
In this 6 session course, students will read and analyze Holes by Louis Sachar through a discussion and writing heavy course covering plot, setting, character, symbolism, theme, and more.
Kaitlyn Fischer: Close-Reading Specialist
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(967)
Star Educator
Popular
What's included
6 live meetings
4 in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. Students will need to read on their own time outside of class. Students will also need to be able to complete anything that we start in class that was not finished in class. During the week, the teacher will be available for contact and will be reading and providing feedback on all writing assignments and providing outlines and commentary to help students along the way!Assessment
Each week, students will be completing mini-journal writing analyses. At the end, a final assessment will be worked on where students analyze symbols, leadership, family, crime and punishment, and more to show a theme of the novel.Class Experience
US Grade 4 - 6
In this 6 session course, students will read and analyze Holes by Louis Sachar through a discussion and writing course covering plot, setting, character, symbolism, theme, and more. The novel follows the story of Stanley Yelnats who is wrongfully accused of a crime and sent to Camp Green Lake because of his family's curse by his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing great-great-grandfather. At camp, he is forced to dig holes to build character. The story follows tough topics like crime and punishment, racism, and more! And Stanley must get to the bottom of it all.
Day One: Introduction to the Novel and Unit
- Discussion: Four Corners Debate (Novel Topics)
- Introduction to the Setting and Characters
- Journal Writing Activity
- Building up to a Final Essay Assessment
Day Two: Chapters 1 - 9
- Setting and the Characters
- Stanley's Family Story
- Personal Narrative Writing: Your Family Story
- Crimes and Punishment
Day Three: Chapters 10 - 20
- Natural Order (Hierarchies)
- Nicknames (Symbolism Discussion)
- Leaders and Followers
- Discussion of Leadership Qualities
- Writing Analysis
Day Four: Chapters 21 - 30
- Jim Crow Laws
- Research Activity and Discussion
- Writing Analysis
- Flashback
Day Five: Chapters 31 - 41
- Animals of Camp Green Lake
- Mini-Research Activity
- Symbolism (Characters and Animals)
- Writing Analysis
Day Six: Chapters 42 - 50
- Story Lines and Plots
- Three Stories all Meeting Together
- How do multiple stories connect with one another?
- Themes and Messages
- Connecting All Novel Topics
- Final Writing AnalysisLearning Goals
- Students will be able to identify the following literary elements: character and character development, genre, plot development and major plot points, symbolism, themes, and more!- Students will engage in discussions and debates with one another as we explore more than just reading comprehension but also the complex decisions the author makes and its cultural and historical connections to the time period.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created CurriculumStandards
Aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS)6 Lessons
over 2 WeeksLesson 1:
Day One: Introduction to the Novel and Unit
- Discussion: Four Corners Debate (Novel Topics)
- Introduction to the Setting and Characters
- Journal Writing Activity
- Building up to a Final Essay Assessment 40 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Day Two: Chapters 1 - 9
- Setting and the Characters
- Stanley's Family Story
- Personal Narrative Writing: Your Family Story
- Crimes and Punishment 40 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Day Three: Chapters 10 - 20
- Natural Order (Hierarchies)
- Nicknames (Symbolism Discussion)
- Leaders and Followers
- Discussion of Leadership Qualities
- Writing Analysis 40 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Day Four: Chapters 21 - 30
- Jim Crow Laws
- Research Activity and Discussion
- Writing Analysis
- Flashback 40 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Here is the link to the commonsensemedia.org review of the novel. This covers all types of topics that parents are concerned about and the suggested ratings and more!
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/holes#:~:text=Parents%20need%20to%20know%20that,was%20adapted%20for%20a%202003
Supply List
Students will be required to purchase the book, rent it from the local library, use an audiobook, or purchase an online version. Regardless of choice, students will need to have the novel with them for class!
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined January, 2020
5.0
967reviews
Star Educator
Popular
Teacher expertise and credentials
Colorado Teaching Certificate in Secondary Education
I have taught high school and middle school English and have also taught middle school math. I have worked in both Missouri and in Colorado. I have taught all of the following classes: AP Language and Composition, Honors 9th Grade English, 9th Grade English, 10th Grade English for Language Learners, and 11th Grade English. I have also taught and tutored middle school and high school math. I am trained and certified as an Advanced Placement teacher and an AVID strategies teacher!Reviews
Live Group Course
$58
weekly or $115 for 6 classes3x per week, 2 weeks
40 min
Completed by 86 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-12
1-6 learners per class
