Holes - Kissin' Kate Barlow and Sam!

This engaging and informative lesson helps students to understand the key events of the sub-plot in Louis Sachar’s ‘Holes’ - the story of Kissin’ Kate Barlow and Sam. Students demonstrate their comprehension of the key events in Kate and Sam’s life, before forming their own opinion on Kissin’ Kate’s justification for becoming an outlaw.

The lesson follows a step-by-step learning journey, in which children learn through:
- Reading and understanding the selected extracts to comprehend the key events of the sub-plot;
- Storyboarding the key events (using the template provided) to demonstrate their understanding of key quotes and ideas;
- Using textual evidence to show a deeper understanding of the sub-plot, considering the writer’s ideas and the historical context;
- Forming their own viewpoint about Kissin’ Kate’s actions through a writing to argue piece;
- Peer assessing each other’s learning attempts;

Included is:
- Whole lesson PowerPoint - colourful and comprehensive;
- Storyboard Template;
- Selected extracts - Chapters 23, 25, and 26;
- Analysis of the Sub-Plot worksheet (and student answer sheet);
- Comprehensive lesson plan.

There are also opportunities for group learning, speaking and listening, peer assessment, and whole class discussion. I originally used these resources with year 7 and 8 classes, however colleagues have used them for between years 4 and 9 with minimal adaptations.

All images are licensed for commercial use, and image rights are listed on the last page of the presentation.