Holes+(Novel+Study)

This unit will explore the novel //Holes.//


 * ==read some of the novel in class, the rest you need to read at home==
 * ==complete a series of formative tasks==
 * ==view the supporting film (if time permits)==
 * ==complete two summative tasks as your final assessment for the unit==

**In summary (as from the Resource Booklet):**
This Summative task is an in-class response from a range of topics.
 * Summative Task 1 - Choice of your best Activity response**
 * Summative Task 2**
 * An in-class response from a range of topics. The draft for the task will be completed during a double lesson, and you will then take this draft and polish it for submission at the end of the week. See your emailed task sheet for the due date.**


 * YOU ARE TO CHOOSE ONE TOPIC ONLY. **

The draft for this will be completed during a double lesson.

You will then take this draft home to edit and polish, then resubmit by the date indicated below. The topics for this task are: CHOOSE ONE 1. What do you think the title “Holes” means? What might be another reason other than the holes the boys dig in the lake? What hole (or holes) is in Stanley 's life when he first arrives at Camp Green Lake ? Are the holes still there when he leaves?

2. At home, Stanley did not have friends, but at Camp Green Lake, he forms a special friendship with Zero. How did Zero and Stanley prove their friendship to each other? In what way does Zero fill a hole in Stanley's life? 3. Imagine you are Louis Sachar and you are asked the following question by a reader: Why do you often interrupt the story of Stanley Yeltnats in order to tell other stories? Explain what you tried to achieve by writing the story as you did.

STOP PRESS

Step 2 - Brainstorm
For each key word think of all the ideas, examples and quotes you can that relate to that word. Go back to your formative questions and the book itself. Write it all down. Don't try to edit anything. You'll end up with a list of ideas, examples and quotes under each key word.

Step 3 - Organise
An essay of this type is set out as follows: Introduction: Include: introducing the book, who wrote it, what its main plot is, and what the topic is asking you to do. Outline the main points you wish to make, but don't go into detail. A good introduction tells the reader what the rest of the essay will be about. Main Body - 3 paragraphs that explain key ideas, examples and quotes from the brainstorming you did in Step 2. Simply number the ideas, examples and quotes to sort them into the appropriate paragraph. Conclusion - summarises your ideas. Make sure you answer any questions in the topic here.

Step 4 - Write
Now that the essay is planned, you take your organised points from Step 3 and expand them into full paragraphs.

Step 5 - Proofread/Edit
Very important. Reread your essay carefully. Check for spelling, punctuation, characters names being correct, sentences that make sense AND that you have answered the topic. Give me (or someone else) a draft to check.

Step 6 - Submit.
Make sure this is on or before the due date. Don't lose marks for being disorganised.

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Here's the Google Map for where the novel is set. == media type="googlemap" key="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Chihuahuan+Desert,+Fort+Davis,+TX,+United+States&aq=0&oq=chihuahuan+de&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=45.8712,93.076172&ie=UTF8&hq=Chihuahuan+Desert,+Fort+Davis,+TX,+United+States&ll=30.540555,-103.837222&spn=0.01922,0.032015&t=m&output=embed" width="425" height="350" align="center"

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ALL ABOUT THE AUTHOR Louis Sachar His home page is an excellent resource. It includes details on the sequel to Holes - //Small Steps.// Louis Sachar Home Page

Check out the trailer for the film. media type="youtube" key="X1peixRfNzo" height="315" width="560" align="center"

Here are two terrific PDFs that help explain the novel really well. They are designed for teachers, but you will be able to get some good information from them.