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Harry Potter in the classroom
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here to see our selection of Harry Potter in the classroom.
 Teaching
Harry
Potter in the classroom may seem to the teacher like
you are spoiling your students or even wasting time, but that is
not the case. There is much to learn by bringing Harry Potter into
the classroom. Your students are likely already hooked on the stories—so
you have the ability to make reading something they look forward
to! Especially since the books read so much better than the movies.
One of my students told me that after reading the Harry Potter books—she
did not even like the movies anymore.
Capture the magic of Harry Potter
Harry Potter, the child hero of J. K. Rowling's best-selling series
can be an inspiration for your students—a real tool for learning.
Many education programs are available for bringing Harry Potter
in the classroom and these programs focus on a handful of Harry
Potter resources to help turn your students fascination with the
boy wizard into learning opportunities.
I have taught Harry Potter in the classroom by assigning students
to choose their Harry Potter books and write reports or give presentations
on them. Many of these children could be seen reading at recess.
Bringing Harry Potter into the classroom helped convert reading
from a chore to a recreation for them.
In a coffee shop the other day, I heard a mother scolding her child
for being buried in her Harry Potter book.
“You have already read that book two times!” the mother
exclaimed.
“So” came the quiet answer of the little girl who did
not lift her head or mover her eyes from the page.
Although the Harry Potter books and movies perpetuated the concern
of a small but vocal minority of citizens—who believe that
the stories are feeding into the idea that witchcraft is good and
believe that violent content and evil characters should not be taught
in the classroom. But for the most part, teaching Harry Potter in
the classroom is a great idea. The Harry Potter stories have, for
the most part been emphatically accepted by educators and parents
alike.
There is a level of literary analysis that can be provided for
the students by teaching Harry Potter in the classroom. Excerpts
from the books such as: "It takes a great deal of bravery to
stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends."
(The Sorcerer's Stone, page 306) can be discussed and will stretch
the minds of young readers at an earlier stage than is common in
most schools. Another great quote from Harry Potter comes from Chamber
of Secrets, page 333: "It is our choices, Harry, that show
what we truly are, far more than our abilities." This type
of concept—highlighted by the fantasy of Harry Potter has
the ability to teach the children lessons that apply not only to
education but also to life in general. Teaching Harry Potter in
the classroom can unearth a childs confidence in him or herself,
enhance their analytical skills and most importantly, charge their
enthusiasm for learning.
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