Part 4: Lesson Plan: Holes, Independent Practice

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE:

Hope: Although bad luck seems to follow the Yelnats family, they always remain hopeful. What are some ways you remain hopeful? Would you be able to stay as hopeful as Stanley’s family? What would you do if your family was cursed? Write a journal entry answering these questions.

Juvenile Delinquency/Justice: Camp Green Lake is a camp for “bad boys.” Why do you think people do bad things? Can there be a good reason to do bad things? If Stanley really was guilty of stealing the shoes, do you think his 18-month sentence at Camp Green Lake was fair? Why or why not? Write a persuasive essay defending your position.

Homelessness: Zero and his mother were homeless. How would you feel if you didn’t have a home to live in? What would you do to survive? Write a journal entry detailing a day in which you are homeless. Remember, like Zero, you have no family or friends to depend on. If you ask for a stranger’s help, how likely are they to help you?

Food Preservation: Miss Katherine Barlow is famous for her spiced peaches. Every year, she would put the peaches into jars with some spices and they would last for the winter. Over a hundred years later, Zero and Stanley are still able to eat the preserved peaches. What are some other methods of preserving food? Make a poster that defines each method along with advantages and disadvantages.

Onions and Peaches: A hundred years ago in Green Lake, Onion Sam and Miss Katherine Barlow were famous for their peaches and onions. What are some of your favorite recipes that use peaches? What are some of your favorite recipes that use onions? Share at least one recipe (and if possible the food) with the class. Compile the recipes and make a peach and onion cookbook for the class.

Buried Treasure: One of the last things Kissin’ Kate Barlow does is bury the treasure she stole from the first Stanley Yelnats. As a result, the Walker family spends the next hundred years searching for this buried treasure. Create your own treasure map. Your map can include landmarks, clues, or anything that would help you or a descendant find your treasure. What would you hide in your treasure chest?