If you’re new around here you need to know one thing. One thing I’ll continually shout from the rooftops- Younger grades should be hearing chapter books read out loud to them!! Believe me, I love picture books as much as the next younger grade teacher, but I think young children need to be hearing more advanced books read out loud and start a love of reading. One of my favorite chapter book read aloud to read to Kindergarten, first and second grade is the book “Holes” by Louis Sachar. Today I am sharing a “Holes” Book Companion and activities to go along with the book.
“Holes” is a young adult novel that tells the story of Stanley Yelnats, a young boy who is sent to Camp Green Lake, a juvenile detention center, for a crime he did not commit. At Camp Green Lake, Stanley is forced to dig holes every day as part of his punishment, along with the other inmates. The story follows Stanley’s journey as he tries to uncover the truth about his family’s curse and the reason behind the seemingly pointless digging.
Here are a few reasons why “Holes” could be a great book to read to first and second-grade students:
- Engaging Storyline: The storyline of “Holes” is intriguing and suspenseful, which makes it engaging for young readers. The story is well-paced, with a good balance of action, humor, and mystery, which keeps the reader hooked until the end.
- Educational Value: The book has many educational themes, such as the importance of family, friendship, and perseverance, which are valuable lessons for young readers. The story also introduces vocabulary related to digging, geology, and other science topics, making it a great learning opportunity.
- Strong Characters: The characters in “Holes” are well-developed and relatable, making it easy for young readers to connect with them. The book has a diverse range of characters, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, which helps to promote empathy and understanding.
- Read-aloud Potential: “Holes” is an excellent read-aloud book, with short chapters that are easy to follow and understand. The book also has a lot of dialogue, which makes it interactive and engaging for students.
- Teacher Resources: “Holes” is a popular book among teachers and has many resources available online, such as lesson plans, discussion questions, and activity ideas. These resources can help to enhance the learning experience and make it more enjoyable for students. Don’t you fret- Little Owl Academy has the perfect print and use book companion for you!
This book companion contains a HUGE variety of activities to go along with each chapter of the book in “Holes.” You get to read the amazing book with your students, then you get to complete fun activities, based off the levels of your students, after each chapter. You can find it here:
Other fun “Holes” Book Companion and Activities
Looking for a few other fun book companion and activities to go along with the book “Holes?” Here’s 4 more ideas just for you:
- Create a character map: Ask students to create a character map of the main characters in the book, such as Stanley Yelnats, Zero, and the Warden. Have them write down the character’s name, their traits, and a brief description of their role in the story.
- Create a timeline: Ask students to create a timeline of the events in the book. They can include important events such as Stanley’s arrest, his time at Camp Green Lake, and the discovery of the treasure. Encourage students to include illustrations to help bring the timeline to life.
- Write a letter: Ask students to imagine that they are one of the characters in the book and write a letter to another character. For example, they could write a letter from Stanley to his parents, or from Zero to his mother. Encourage them to think about the character’s perspective and what they might say.
- Make a diorama: Have students create a diorama that represents a scene from the book. They could create a diorama of Camp Green Lake, or of the hole that Stanley and Zero dug to find the treasure. Encourage them to include details that are mentioned in the book, such as the cactus and lizards.
In conclusion, “Holes” is a fantastic book that has many benefits for first and second-grade students. It has an engaging storyline, educational value, strong characters, read-aloud potential, and teacher resources. Reading this book to students can help to promote reading comprehension, critical thinking, and empathy, while also making learning fun and exciting.