Our Fund for Teachers fellowship has come to a close, but the magic will continue to brighten our library worlds and in turn the world of our students. We are grateful that Fund for Teachers "chose" us to be recipients this year! Harry Potter has been in our hearts for years, what better way to re-ignite the love for the series in ourselves, our students and future generations of readers? Reading the books, biographies, newspapers, watching movies...NOTHING...can compare to the experience of seeing and learning things for ourselves.
To stand in the grandeur of places like Tower Bridge, Lacock Abbey, Gloucester Cathedral, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, and all the others, it's just an indescribable feeling. We love J.K. Rowling for creating such vivid, complex, beloved characters and a truly magical world that continues to touch so many people--young and old alike! Through our walks, we saw older couples getting just as excited to stand in the places where those same characters stood and we could hear the excitement in their voice, see the excitement on their faces (as I'm sure people could say the same thing about us)!
Twenty years later we were there to celebrate, and even though J.K. Rowling was not there with us, her spirit, her characters and the magic welcomed us with open arms. As a result, we plan on going beyond the creation of videos with possible extension activities after students read each book in the series (these ideas are still a work in progress), we also plan on posting on Twitter as they read their way through the series:
*Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: Choose your House: a sorting ceremony where students will be placed into their House (and earn house points throughout the year). "Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind, either. There's talent, oh yes. And a thirst to prove yourself. But where to put you?"--The Sorting Hat
*Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: Photo OP with robe and house scarf, plus Make Your Own Wand MakerSpace opportunity.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: Write a handwritten letter to J.K. Rowling and a tweet using our school's library Twitter accounts.
*Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: House competitions-students compete for house points answering questions based on the first four books read using Quizizz (if you haven't used this app in the classroom, check it out, it's tons of fun for students, they will beg you to use it again and again).
*Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: Using Google Slides or TouchCast to write or report on their favorite characters. (Write Ups will be showcased on "Hogwarts: Heroes and Villains" Bulletin Board Display.
*Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: Using MovieMaker or other video making app or program, make a promotional video to entice new readers. Special screenings to occur during Morning Announcements-Live.
*Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Discover the most popular title in the series. Provide students with a ballot which they will cast at the end of the year Harry Potter party where students can have a magical time talking and sharing their favorite parts, books, characters, scenes, the list goes on and on. The House Winner will be announced and photographed! More photo ops such as "Have You Seen This Wizard", Platform 9 and 3/4's and anything else the students come up with! **Light refreshments would be provided (depending on the dietary restrictions this year).
J.K. Rowling said it perfectly, "The stories we love best do live in us forever, so whether you come back by page or by the big screen, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home."
So again, thank you Fund for Teachers and a big thank you to our blog readers for following us on this magical exploration of all things Harry Potter!
Love,
Vilma and Christina
