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Last updated

15 August 2026

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docx, 462.69 KB
pptx, 2.11 MB
pptx, 2.11 MB

This engaging first lesson in your Year 7 Holes scheme introduces students to the 1990s American context, the juvenile justice system, and the Texas desert setting that shapes the novel’s tone and characters. Through accessible modelling and rich discussion, learners begin exploring how Sachar uses environment, punishment and redemption to frame Stanley’s journey.

Perfect for KS3 English, this lesson builds essential background knowledge while developing early inference and thematic understanding.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

  • Understand 1990s American context and the juvenile justice system.
  • Explain how the Texas setting shapes the story and influences character behaviour.
  • Evaluate moral themes of punishment, isolation and redemption in Holes.
What’s Included
  • A fully editable PowerPoint introducing context, setting and early themes.
  • A print‑ready worksheet – Mapping the Texas Setting, guiding students to
    analyse environmental factors and how isolation affects behaviour.
  • ܾ‑i peer‑talking opportunities to support collaborative interpretation.
  • Structured short tasks, guided questioning, and accessible modelling to support all learners.
Why Teachers Will Like This Resource
  • Provides clear contextual grounding before reading the novel.
  • Supports mixed‑ability classes with scaffolded analysis and visual mapping.
  • Encourages empathy‑building and thematic thinking from the very first lesson.
  • Ready to teach – no additional planning required.
  • Ideal for cover lessons, homework, or revision later in the unit.

Get this resource as part of a bundle and save up to 68%

A bundle is a package of resources grouped together to teach a particular topic, or a series of lessons, in one place.

Bundle

Holes – Complete 12‑Lesson Bundle + Knowledge Organiser

This full *Holes* bundle provides a complete, ready‑to‑teach KS3 scheme of work, including twelve structured lessons and a high‑quality Knowledge Organiser. The unit builds strong analytical skills through character study, thematic exploration, narrative structure, symbolism, and precise language analysis — all supported by clear scaffolding and visually engaging tasks. --- ## **Lesson Summary** Across the twelve lessons, students explore: - Character development (Stanley, Zero, the Warden, Tent D dynamics) - Core themes including fate, justice, friendship, literacy and destiny - Sachar’s concise prose style, sensory detail and structural choices - Flashbacks, dual timelines and generational storytelling - Analytical writing using the PEEZL framework - Retrieval practice, vocabulary development and self‑evaluation The scheme culminates in a confident thematic evaluation of how the Yelnats curse is broken through friendship, loyalty and moral growth. --- ## **What’s Included** - Twelve fully planned PowerPoints - Worksheets for every lesson (creative, analytical, vocabulary‑building, inference‑based) - Structured close‑reading tasks and paired discussion prompts - PEEZL paragraph scaffolds and assessment‑ready activities - **Knowledge Organiser** covering themes, structure, vocabulary and key questions - AI‑enhanced imagery to support understanding and deepen learning The Knowledge Organiser presents essential ideas such as *“Stanley inherits the bad luck of his ‘no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing’ ancestor”* and how *“legal justice fails Stanley, convicting an innocent boy on circumstantial evidence”*, giving learners a secure foundation for analysis and revision. --- ## ✨ **Why Teachers Will Like This Resource** - Fully sequenced, coherent scheme with clear progression - Strong focus on inference, theme analysis and narrative structure - Vocabulary‑rich tasks that build confidence and comprehension - Creative worksheets that support engagement and deeper thinking - Knowledge Organiser ensures retrieval practice and long‑term learning - Ready to teach with no additional planning required

£8.00

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