Chapter 10

Holes

Trailblazers · 4th–6th

Copywork

He thought he could see the shape of a fish, fossilized in it. He rubbed off some dirt, and the outline of the fish became clearer.

Read the passage aloud. Why might the author show the fish in two steps, a thought first and a clearer outline second?

Discussion

Narration Tell back Stanley's second morning, from the first aches to the moment the boys pass his fossil around, in order.

1. Stanley thinks the second hole will “take a miracle,” and then finds a fish in a rock. What does the word miracle mean to him?Theme

2. Mr. Pendanski had said a good find might earn a day off. Did Stanley have the right to expect one?Moral reasoning

3. Mr. Pendanski says “Interesting,” then asks for Stanley's canteen. How does that “Interesting” sound to you?Tone

4. The boys always line up in the same order, and Stanley takes the back. What do you think the line tells us about the group?Inference

5. The chapter ends with the boys passing the fossil around and Armpit saying “look at the little fishy.” Why might the author stop there?Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a time you showed someone something you were proud of. How did they respond, and how did you feel?

Vocabulary

Crossword

1	2

			3	4	5

6

		7


8
9

Across

Across 1. Turned to stone over a very long time.
Across 3. Bare, with nothing growing.
Across 6. A wonderful event that seems beyond what could be expected.
Across 9. To become less tight or stiff.

Down

Down 2. The line around the edge of a shape.
Down 4. So big or hard that it fills you with fear.
Down 5. Spoke of by a certain name.
Down 7. A rounded lump that sticks out.
Down 8. Covered with sore, raised bubbles of skin.

The words in the chapter

fossilized He thought he could see the shape of a fish, fossilized in it.
outline the outline of the fish became clearer
miracle He’d found his miracle.
awesome tried not to think of the awesome task that lay ahead of him
barren He looked at the barren land all around him.

referred everyone referred to this area as “the lake,”
loosen his sore muscles seemed to loosen up a little bit
bulge the rock still made a bulge
blistered This hurt less than trying to hold the shaft with his blistered fingers.

Critical thinking

1. Stanley's second hole goes a little better than his first. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what he has learned since yesterday.

2. When Stanley finds the fish, he looks at the land around him. Using two pieces of evidence, explain whether his view of the land changes.

3. Magnet takes the rock while Stanley keeps staring at Mr. Pendanski. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what Stanley might be feeling.