Activity Overview
Flashbacks are a common literary technique used by authors such as Louis Sachar in the book, Holes.
Flashbacks can reveal vital and crucial information in a story. These stories flip back and forth between the story’s present and past. This story structure is an effective way to build suspense as the flashbacks at first deepen and eventually elucidate mysteries in the present narrative. Flashbacks can also help highlight themes or character development that appear in the story’s present.
To have students analyze connections between a flashback narrative and a story’s main narrative, make use of a T-chart or two-columns storyboard. For each significant element of the flashback plot, have students find a connection to the present-day plot. The example above illustrates the connections between the main narrative in Holes and one of the novel’s flashback narratives.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that shows how the flashbacks in the book, Holes connect to the story's present.
Student Instructions:
- Click “Start Assignment”.
- Identify a flashback in the story. Create an illustration to represent it and add a description below.
- Then, identify how that flashback connects to the story's present. Create an illustration and description below.
- Continue with more flashbacks and present events to fill in the chart.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 27 Points | Beginning 22 Points | Try Again 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flashback Identification and Connection to the Present Day | There are at least 4 key flashback moments from the story presented. The flashback includes a description or quote of the scene being depicted. The connection to the present day shows insight and understanding of the correlation between the past event and how it has impacted the characters in the present. | There are at least 3 key flashback moments from the story presented. The flashback includes a description or quote of the scene being depicted. The connection to the present day may be unclear or inaccurate at times, but overall the explanations show insight and understanding of the correlation between the past event and how it has impacted the characters in the present. | There are at least 2 key flashback moments from the story presented. The flashback includes a minimal description or quote of the scene being depicted. The connection to the present day analyses may be unclear, minimal, or incorrect. There is an attempt to reveal insight into how the past event impacts the present. | There is one key flashback moment from the story presented. The flashback may be inaccurate and may not include a quote or description. The connection to the present day analysis may be unclear, minimal, or incorrect. There is no attempt to reveal insight into how the past event impacts the present. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate to the work of literature. It is evident that the student spent a lot of time, creativity, and effort into carefully crafting each artistic depiction. | The art chosen to depict the scenes should be historically appropriate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. It is evident that the student stayed on task and put time and effort into crafting each artistic depiction. | Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate, but there are serious deviations that cause confusion or inaccuracies. The student may not have paid much attention to detail in crafting each depiction, and there may be evidence of rushing or limited effort. | Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically inappropriate, missing, or too limited to score. It is evident that the student did not put a lot of time, effort, and creativity into crafting each artistic depiction. |
| English Conventions | Ideas are organized. Displays control of grammar, usage, and mechanics. Shows careful proofreading. | Ideas are organized. Contains few errors in grammar, usage and mechanics. Shows some proofreading. | Ideas are organized. Contains errors in grammar, usage and mechanics which interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading. | Contains too many errors in grammar, usage and mechanics; (and/or) errors seriously interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading. |
Activity Overview
Flashbacks are a common literary technique used by authors such as Louis Sachar in the book, Holes.
Flashbacks can reveal vital and crucial information in a story. These stories flip back and forth between the story’s present and past. This story structure is an effective way to build suspense as the flashbacks at first deepen and eventually elucidate mysteries in the present narrative. Flashbacks can also help highlight themes or character development that appear in the story’s present.
To have students analyze connections between a flashback narrative and a story’s main narrative, make use of a T-chart or two-columns storyboard. For each significant element of the flashback plot, have students find a connection to the present-day plot. The example above illustrates the connections between the main narrative in Holes and one of the novel’s flashback narratives.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that shows how the flashbacks in the book, Holes connect to the story's present.
Student Instructions:
- Click “Start Assignment”.
- Identify a flashback in the story. Create an illustration to represent it and add a description below.
- Then, identify how that flashback connects to the story's present. Create an illustration and description below.
- Continue with more flashbacks and present events to fill in the chart.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 27 Points | Beginning 22 Points | Try Again 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flashback Identification and Connection to the Present Day | There are at least 4 key flashback moments from the story presented. The flashback includes a description or quote of the scene being depicted. The connection to the present day shows insight and understanding of the correlation between the past event and how it has impacted the characters in the present. | There are at least 3 key flashback moments from the story presented. The flashback includes a description or quote of the scene being depicted. The connection to the present day may be unclear or inaccurate at times, but overall the explanations show insight and understanding of the correlation between the past event and how it has impacted the characters in the present. | There are at least 2 key flashback moments from the story presented. The flashback includes a minimal description or quote of the scene being depicted. The connection to the present day analyses may be unclear, minimal, or incorrect. There is an attempt to reveal insight into how the past event impacts the present. | There is one key flashback moment from the story presented. The flashback may be inaccurate and may not include a quote or description. The connection to the present day analysis may be unclear, minimal, or incorrect. There is no attempt to reveal insight into how the past event impacts the present. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate to the work of literature. It is evident that the student spent a lot of time, creativity, and effort into carefully crafting each artistic depiction. | The art chosen to depict the scenes should be historically appropriate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. It is evident that the student stayed on task and put time and effort into crafting each artistic depiction. | Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate, but there are serious deviations that cause confusion or inaccuracies. The student may not have paid much attention to detail in crafting each depiction, and there may be evidence of rushing or limited effort. | Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically inappropriate, missing, or too limited to score. It is evident that the student did not put a lot of time, effort, and creativity into crafting each artistic depiction. |
| English Conventions | Ideas are organized. Displays control of grammar, usage, and mechanics. Shows careful proofreading. | Ideas are organized. Contains few errors in grammar, usage and mechanics. Shows some proofreading. | Ideas are organized. Contains errors in grammar, usage and mechanics which interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading. | Contains too many errors in grammar, usage and mechanics; (and/or) errors seriously interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading. |
How Tos about Flashbacks in Holes
How to Facilitate a Class Discussion Connecting Flashbacks to Character Growth
Guide your students to link past events with present character actions in Holes. This approach deepens comprehension and encourages critical thinking about how characters evolve over time.
Select key flashbacks that reveal character motivations.
Choose flashbacks that give insight into why a character behaves the way they do in the present. Focusing on motivation helps students make meaningful connections.
Prompt students with open-ended questions linking past to present.
Ask questions like, “How did this event shape the character’s choices?” or “What might the character have learned from this flashback?” These prompts spark deeper analysis and discussion.
Encourage students to cite evidence from the text.
Remind students to support their ideas with specific quotes or events from Holes. This practice builds close reading skills and strengthens arguments.
Summarize how flashbacks impact character development as a class.
Wrap up by having the class collaboratively list ways flashbacks influence characters. Highlight how understanding the past enriches the story’s present.
Frequently Asked Questions about Flashbacks in Holes
What are flashbacks in the book Holes and why are they important?
Flashbacks in Holes are scenes that take readers back to events before the main timeline. They are important because they reveal key information, deepen mysteries, and connect past events to the present plot, helping students understand character motivations and themes.
How can I teach students to identify flashbacks in Holes?
To teach students to identify flashbacks in Holes, encourage them to look for shifts in time, changes in setting, or different character perspectives. Using a T-chart or storyboard helps students visually track and connect flashbacks to the main narrative.
What is an effective classroom activity for analyzing flashbacks in Holes?
An effective activity is having students create a storyboard or T-chart that pairs flashback events with present-day scenes, illustrating and describing the connections. This helps students see how past events influence the main story.
How do flashbacks in Holes help with understanding character development?
Flashbacks in Holes reveal characters’ backgrounds, motivations, and relationships. By connecting flashback events to the present, students can better understand why characters act as they do and how they change over time.
What is the best way to organize flashbacks and present events for teaching Holes?
The best way is to use a T-chart or two-column storyboard: one side for flashback events, the other for related present-day events. Students can illustrate or describe each, making the narrative structure and connections clear and visual.
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