Describe the role of fate and the influence of the past in Holes. What elements of fate exist in the novel’s location, people, and circumstances? Consider these points as you formulate your response:

• Why is it significant that Stanley and Zero end up at the same camp?
• Why is Camp Green Lake an appropriate location to illustrate fate?
• How does the author tie the past with the present?
• What elements in the novel symbolize the past?
• What do you think the author believes about fate and history?

Teaching Suggestion: Because the prompt covers a variety of situations in the novel, students may benefit from a jigsaw strategy. Small groups might divide the individual questions by group member, each of whom creates possible responses after some independent thinking and reference time.

Differentiation Suggestion: Visual learners and students who might find a supplied organizer beneficial might consider the parts of the prompt one by one, using a table or chart labeled with chapter sections and plenty of white space for notes.