Look Inside - Read Side By Side

Difficult topics:• Crime• Discipline• Bullying• Obesity• Homelessness• Poverty• Racism• Stereotypes• GreedThe way you read the book will communicate the author’s message. I have a few suggestions forhow to read dialogue for these characters:Mr. Sir – read with a sarcastic toneMr. Pendanski – read with a “motherly,” condescending voiceThe Warden – exaggerate her accent, slow her dialogue down, make it clear that she is in control(feared)All the boys – read as tough on the outside, but still kids with normal kid feelingsIn terms of intertextuality, there is a loose reference to the story of Moses in the book Holes.• The Israelites were a nation of doubting people just as Stanley’s family is one of doubtingpeople.• God cursed the Israelites to wander the desert for 40 years, in order to bring forth a newgeneration. Stanley is the “new generation” of the Yelnats family, which was cursed inthe past.• God signaled his presence to the Israelites in many ways, including by giving them a miraculoussupply of manna. God signaled his presence to Stanley at God’s Thumb when hesupplied Stanley with a miraculous supply of water and onions.• Moses proves he is heroic by overcoming his doubts, timidity, and inner strife. Stanleydemonstrates the same heroic qualities as he changes throughout the story.Because of the multiple plots, students will have to monitor their comprehension of each one.Students will keep an important events list describing how Stanley came to Camp Green Lake,and they will summarize that plot at the end of the first quadrant. Students will keep track ofimportant events when reading Elya’s story and will write a problem/solution/results paragraphbased on those events. Students will again keep track of story elements when they read KatherineBarlow’s story.Throughout this unit it, will be really important to keep charts easy to read, colorful, and displayedon the classroom wall, as they will be used often for referencing and for monitoring comprehension.Students will use the charts to keep track of all the characters and plots.I know you will love reading Holes with your students! The book is fun and engaging and willget students, especially your boys, excited about reading.Before starting this unit of study with your students, you will want to read and label a copy ofthe book Holes, to be used as a teacher guide. You will also want to acquire a class set of books forstudents to use during read-aloud. Take time to get to know the scope and sequence, and input lessonsinto your plan book ahead of time.6 Holes Unit of Study