Holes Guided Imagery

PURPOSE OF THE STRATEGY

This strategy is to be used either before the novel is started or before chapter 23 is read. This strategy is designed to help students transport their imaginations to places they have never visited / experienced or thought about much before. Guided Imagery is done when the teacher reads a scenario to the class to help start the class writing. Music can be used to further bring students into the world you have created. This particular strategy for Holes will use both the teacher and music. This strategy should take thirty to forty minutes.

DIRECTIONS:

STEP 1 BUILDING THE DREAM

Begin by asking students to first stretch, inhale slowly, exhale, and relax, find a comfortable position to curl up in and then to close their eyes and listen. By talking softly, take the students into the "Wild West." Play Aaron Copland's "Rodeo" from the popular piece "Hoe-down" in the background, dimming the lights in the classroom. Use your creativity. You might do things that give your room a Western Theme, or ambiance. Maybe the ringing of a cattle bell or the distinctive jingle of boot spurs.

STEP 2 READING

Read the following scenario slowly, giving students time to visualize each image. Counting to 30 in between statements, works well. The students listen with their eyes closed. Remind them that they have been transported to this scene. Try to get them in the mood. If you can, try to throw a Western accent for more effect. Remember that for this strategy their eyes are to remain closed (unless there is a medical or psychological reason the student can not).

This is the scene: Everyone, close your eyes... You are drifting away from this place... You are no longer in Spanish Fork... You are nowhere you have ever been... You are no longer in the modern world... You are in the Wild West... It is the 188o's and outlaws are abundant... As a person from New York City you know nothing about Western life... Your primary concern is getting water and staying fed... In your travels you come through towns that are basically nothing but really big saloons... You are a stranger in a strange land... But luck is on your side... You recently won a horse in a poker game... You're feelin' pretty good about yourself... You own a horse... What do people with horses do?... They ride the range... So you saddle up and "mooove em' out"... One night while trying to play your harmonica by the campfire a strange woman rides up... Being a woman you figure she's no threat, so you offer her to sit and some of your left-overs... Then you see it... On her saddle are the initials "KB"... This is the notorious Kissin' Kate Barlow... The most dangerous woman in the West... And she's sittin' beside you... in your campfire... What to do?... Do you capitalize on that poker face that helped you win your horse?... or do you try to run like heck?... So many options, so little time....

STEP 3 WRITING

Slowly pull the students back. Bring them back to the classroom and the seat that they are in. Invite students to slowly open their eyes. Next tell them to jot down as many of the descriptive images that they can recall. Give them twenty minutes to write. Have them close their eyes again and listen to the music and relive the experience. What more can they see? Have them write about their experience at length and encourage those who wish to share, to do so. Remind them that this is their own personal experience and can reflect their individuality.

ASSESSMENT There are no required "assessments" for this strategy; it is a prereading technique, a way of opening up a vision for your students that connects what they are able to see with what they will read. This strategy can be referred to when entering the chapters with the outlaw Kissin' Kate Barlow.