For the past six weeks, all Year 5 students have been enjoying their English lessons based on the book Holes by Louis Sachar. They have really enjoyed delving into the mysteries of Camp Green Lake and learning about the range of characters in the books as well as the illusive yellow-spotted lizard.
Accused of a crime he did not commit, Stanley Yelnats was sent to Camp Green Lake for rehabilitation, where he meets Mr. Sir, the Warden, Zero and X-ray and a few more interesting characters: some are likeable, and some are not so likeable. Stanley soon realises digging a large hole under the scorching sun each day was not just a punishment, but the Warden was looking for something special. Through flashbacks, two additional stories were unfolded.
Throughout the book, children were able to identify and analyse the strong messages that were portrayed about friendship, perseverance, loyalty, and courage. While enjoying the story, children were able to write a narrative, an explanation text about the deadly, Yellow-Spotted Lizards and finally, last week we came to the end of the much-loved book and concluded everything with a balanced argument.
I hope you enjoy delighting in the writing the children have produced as much as we teachers have enjoyed reading it.