Holes Problematic Situation Strategy

PURPOSE OF THE STRATEGY

For students to understand differing perspectives or problems within a text (in this situation specifically Holes). The teacher can set up an imaginary situation that students must solve. This strategy utilizes problem solving and decision making skills, allows students to approach text from varying perspectives, creates interest in a story situation, and connects text to student priorities and values.

USE OF STRATEGY Teachers can use this strategy at the conclusion of reading Chapter 31 in the novel. At this point the students can reasonably assume the strategy pertains to Zero and not Stanley who we recognize as the hero of the book. After the strategy is over read Chapter 31 of Holes.

DIRECTIONS Distribute to class worksheet entitled "Holes Problematic Situation." Read the situation aloud as a class. Answer any questions and divide students in groups of no more than 5 students per group. You divide the groups and assign a group leader. The leader is to help the group keep on task and arrive at a conclusion that they can defend. Give the groups ten minutes to discuss the situation and possible solutions. As the teacher, walk around the class to monitor the activity of the groups. Each student will choose their items and will be prepared to defend those choices before the class. Students must of course be civil and respectful of group mates' suggestions and ideas. Each group will then have the leader present the group's decision. From beginning to end this strategy should take no more than 40 - 50 minutes. This is an appropriate activity to prepare students for the day's reading.

EXAMPLE

Situation: You are stranded in the desert with the sun beating down upon you. The sun's reflection blinding you from off of the sand. You know there are no settlements within 100 miles of you. There is no chance of a rescue mission. You are on your own! To remain in one place would be fruitless, so you decide to start hiking out. P.S. There is a rumor of buried food reserves in the area!

Directions: Choose from the following 12 items. You can only choose 4 that would be the most useful as you try to save your life. Remember you can only choose 4 items. Choose wisely and be prepared to defend your choices for the class.

1. ___________ a shovel

2. ___________ a box of Twinkies®

3. ___________ a rain poncho

4. ___________ a Swiss Army Knife®

5. ___________ a large rimmed water-proof hat

6. ___________ a canteen

7. ___________ a picture of your family

8. ___________ a snake bite kit

9. ___________ a global positioning system

10. ___________ a tent

11. ___________ onions

12. ___________ a box of matches

ASSESSMENT

The problematic situation strategy allows you to assess student participation in group activities, thinking/reasoning skills, ability to negotiate decisions, and general ability to make choices based upon priorities and values. It provides an excellent lead-in to a story situation, in that a student can live through the experience prior to reading about it. An appropriate follow-up assessment could be a physical item quiz. The teacher brings in the items (or a good number of them) from this problematic situation and quizzes the students as to their relevance to the novel. This could be a short answer quiz that takes at most twenty to twenty-five minutes.