Holes Louis Sachar Lesson 4
Holes Louis Sachar
Lesson 4
Writing Skills
Today’s learning questionsCan I identify verbs, adverbs and adjectives?
Can I use interesting verbs, adverbs and adjectives in my own writing?
Can I explain the effect I want to have on the reader?
Starter taskRead Chapter 6 with your partner, taking it in turns to
read two or three paragraphs at a time.Write a summary of this chapter in no more than 20
words!
Starter taskRead or listen to Chapter 6 again.
Starter taskRead or listen to Chapter 6 again.
Write a summary of this chapter in no more than 20 words
Verbs, Adverbs and AdjectivesRecap! Identify the verbs, adverbs and adjectives in the extract below.
There is no lake at Camp Green Lake. There once was a very large lake here, the largest lake in Texas. That was over a hundred years ago. Now it is just a dry, flat wasteland.There used to be a town of Green Lake as well. The town shriveled and dried up along with the lake, and the people who lived there.
Can I identify verbs, adverbs and adjectives?Can I use interesting verbs, adverbs and adjectives in my own writing?
Can I explain the effect I want to have on the reader?
Writing SkillsThe sentence below is BORING! Come up with a better version, using your writing
skills.
Camp Green Lake is not very welcoming.
Can I identify verbs, adverbs and adjectives?Can I use interesting verbs, adverbs and adjectives in my own writing?
Can I explain the effect I want to have on the reader?
Writing Skills
Today you’re going to have another go at writing a diary entry for Stanley. How can you
show off your writing skills?
Writing a Diary Entry
When you write a diary entry, you are writing about a day in the life of a real person or character. The diary entry needs to sound as if the person or character
has written it so it needs to be written from their point of view. It also needs to be exciting and interesting to read.
To get this right, just follow a few easy steps...
Diary Writing Check List
Can you remember all the things you need to do to write a fantastic diary entry?
Diary writing must...
write in the first person.
use past tense for main events.
include an introduction to set the scene.
tell events in chronological order.
include personal emotions and feelings.
use time conjunctions and adverbials, e.g. ‘after that’, ‘before lunch’, ‘until sunset’.
include the date and/or time. ✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Can I identify verbs, adverbs and adjectives?Can I use interesting verbs, adverbs and adjectives in my own writing?
Can I explain the effect I want to have on the reader?
Stanley’s Diary
Write Stanley’s diary entry. You should include:• Your thoughts and feelings about Camp
Green Lake• Your thoughts and feeling about the people
you’ve met so far• What you think living here might be like
Try to use some of this vocabulary in your writing!
If you’re not sure of the definition, check it in the dictionary.
terrifyinginhospitable
uncomfortableapproachable
compassionatedaunting
intimidated
Self AssessLook back at your work, use the checklist and see if there is anything you could improve.
Holes Louis Sachar
Lesson 5
Let’s start by reading the opening of Chapter 7:
pages 26-28
Chapter Seven
Today’s learning questions
Can I recall the different sentence types?
Can I identify simple sentences?
Can I explain the effect different sentences have on the reader?
Sentence types
Match up the sentence types to their definitions.
Key terms check!
Main clause = the main idea. It can stand alone as its own sentence.Subordinate clause = extra information that wouldn’t make sense on its own.Conjunction = and, but, yet, so, or, for, nor
Sentence typesCan you find any examples of simple sentences in the section we’ve just read?
Write them down!
Sentence types
He glanced helplessly at the shovel. It wasn’t defective. He was defective.
What is the effect of the short sentences here?
Let’s read on: pp 28-33
Do you notice any interesting sentence structures in this section?
What is the effect?
Let’s PEE!Use P.E.E. to write 3-6 short paragraphs about the different sentence types
Sachar uses in Chapter 7.
In Chapter 7, Sachar uses different sentence structures to create an effect on the reader. For example, when Stanley is digging his hole, Sachar uses the phrase, ‘________________’. The use of a short sentence shows that________. This might make the reader feel ____________________.
Challenge: use your own sentences rather than the suggestions above!
Holes Louis Sachar
Lesson 6
What has happened so far in Chapter 7?
Sentence Structure
Today’s learning questions
Can I identify different sentence types?
Can I explain the effect different sentences have on the reader?
Can I use sentence structure for effect in my own writing?
Sentence Types
What sort of effects can different sentence structures
have on the reader?
Can you remember the different sentence types?
What type of sentences are these?
He put his hands on the rim and tried to pull himself up. He couldn’t do it. His arms were too weak to lift his heavy body. He used his legs to help, but he just didn’t have any strength. He was trapped in his hole. It was almost funny, but he wasn’t in the mood to laugh.
Why use different sentence types?
•Longer sentences can…•Build up a description•Slow down or speed up the pace
•Shorter sentences can…•Create tension•Create a shock for the reader Anything
else?
Your turn!
Write the opening to the next chapter of Holes, describing Stanley’s second day of digging. Think how much harder it will be for him now that his hands are covered in blisters!
Not sure how to start? Try this:
Blurry eyed and yawning, Stanley stepped out into the unbearable heat, dreading the day ahead.
Checklist for success
✓ Have I included different sentence types for effect?
✓ Have I included interesting verbs?
✓ Have I included interesting adjectives and adverbs?
✓ Have I checked my SPaG using a dictionary?
✓ Extension: could I include a technique like a simile or a metaphor?
Try to use some of this vocabulary in your writing!
If you’re not sure of the definition, check it in the dictionary.
exhausting
gruelling
weary
arduous
drained
demanding
daunting