Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
I am very excited that we are reading Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone as our next novel study. TIMEWARP: Back when I was just a young pup, around the age of 12, I was obsessed with the whole HP series. I would read the books after school, before bed and on my way to violin practice (I know, right?). My hopes are that you will all become wizards. Kidding. My hopes are that you will give the novel a chance, thoroughly enjoy it and perhaps become as obsessed as I was--although maybe not quite because I can't see any of you having HP posters on your walls and an awesome Hogwarts blanket (sigh, those were the days). Although I read this novel when I was younger, I still enjoy it very much. Also, please don't be fooled--this will not be a cake-walk and all of the assignments/materials have been adapted to be suitable for Grade 9 students.
This time around we are doing things a little bit different and approaching the novel in a new, exciting and interactive way. On this blog you will find comprehensive questions, discussion activities, vocabulary, videos, audio clips, polls, group activities etc. It is your responsibility to check the blog regularly as many of your marks will come from participating in assignments/discussions posted on the blog. We will be focussing on the themes of the novel: desire, authority, motifs, humility, necessity of rebelion etc. and applying these to real life situations.
Let's get creative and open our minds to wonder, question and 'what if's. Let's let Harry inspire us and remind us that we are not alone in trying to figure out who in the heck we are. Let's use his adventures as evidence that life is full of possibilities.
*Before you call me on NTSSWTSW, it's called repetition and a build up :)
Book Description
"Harry Potter has never played a sport while flying on a broomstick.
He's never worn a Cloak of Invisibility, befriended a giant, or
helped hatch a dragon. All Harry knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt
and uncle, and their abominable son, Dudley. Harry's room is a tiny cupboard under the stairs, and he hasn't had a
birthday party in ten years.
But all that is about to change when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger: a letter with an invitation to a
wonderful place he never dreamed existed. There he finds
not only friends, aerial sports, and magic around every corner, but a great destiny
that's been waiting for him... if Harry can survive the encounter."
This time around we are doing things a little bit different and approaching the novel in a new, exciting and interactive way. On this blog you will find comprehensive questions, discussion activities, vocabulary, videos, audio clips, polls, group activities etc. It is your responsibility to check the blog regularly as many of your marks will come from participating in assignments/discussions posted on the blog. We will be focussing on the themes of the novel: desire, authority, motifs, humility, necessity of rebelion etc. and applying these to real life situations.
Let's get creative and open our minds to wonder, question and 'what if's. Let's let Harry inspire us and remind us that we are not alone in trying to figure out who in the heck we are. Let's use his adventures as evidence that life is full of possibilities.
*Before you call me on NTSSWTSW, it's called repetition and a build up :)
Book Description
"Harry Potter has never played a sport while flying on a broomstick.
He's never worn a Cloak of Invisibility, befriended a giant, or
helped hatch a dragon. All Harry knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt
and uncle, and their abominable son, Dudley. Harry's room is a tiny cupboard under the stairs, and he hasn't had a
birthday party in ten years.
But all that is about to change when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger: a letter with an invitation to a
wonderful place he never dreamed existed. There he finds
not only friends, aerial sports, and magic around every corner, but a great destiny
that's been waiting for him... if Harry can survive the encounter."
Novel Study Major Assignment
Chapter 1 & 2
- Text Features: What do you think this book will be about based on the features of this cover?
- Predicting: Based on what you alredy know about Harry Potter, what do you predict this book will be about? Why do you think that?
- What is Mythology? Define & discuss
- J.K. Rowling: Check out the short biography below on Rowling's success, struggles, net worth etc. Be prepared to discuss in class.
- 'Why Should I Care?' Article
- Chapter 1: The Boy Who Lived Pages 1-18
- Listening: Chapter 2 *click on orange to be directed to link*
Dull, Common, Sensible, Noble, Legend, Parcel, Tantrum, Grudgingly, Fringe, Vigorous, Shrill
Questions: Chapter 1 & 2
1. What signs did Mr. Dursley notice throughout the day that made him feel uneasy about the Potters?
2. Describe the setting of Chapter 1.
3. How did Professor McGonagall feel about the wizard world celebrating so openly?
4. What explanation did the Dursley’s give Harry about his parents’ death and his scar?
5. What were some of the unexplainable events that occurred around Harry?
6. What happened at the zoo?
7. Who do you think the people are that come up to Harry?
8. Describe the setting of Chapter 2.
Journal Entries (MINIMUM OF 8 SENTENCES EACH):
1) If you could do something different and special that no one else could do what would you want that to be? Explain.
2) "Paranormal Happenings": Do they exist? Explain.
Be sure to write down any new characters and as much information about them as you can
Chapter 3 & 4The Letters from No One pg.28-38
The Keeper of the Keys pg. 39-48 Vocabulary Due: Chapter 3 & 4 Dyeing, Nonsense, Pelting, Mad, Glinting, Headmistress, Abnormal, Persuade, Codswallop, Kip Questions Due: Chapter 3 & 4 1. Why was Mr. Dursley cheerful on Sunday morning? 2. What caused Mr. Dursley to go crazy and take the family out of town? 3. Why didn’t they stay at the Railview Hotel? 4. Who came to get Harry on the island? Who was he? 5. How did Hagrid react to learning the Dursleys kept everything a secret from Harry? 6. Why do you think Hagrid thinks Voldemort is still alive? 7. List three examples that show the different ways in which Harry and Dudley are treated. What do these differences suggest about Harry and Dudley? What does the difference in treatment suggest about Vernon and Petunia Dursley? 8. How do the settings (car, hotel, shack) add to the mood/emotions of the chapter? 9. How is Hagrid different from the Dursleys in: 1) appearance 2) personality 3) treatment of Harry 10. What are three things that Harry learns about himself in this chapter? 11. What does Harry learn about Voldemort in this chapter? 12. What is Petunia Dursley’s motivation behind her dislike of her sister and Harry? Be sure to write down any new characters and as much information about them as you can Journal Entries (MINIMUM OF 8 SENTENCES EACH): 1) In Chapter Two, Harry and the boa constrictor have one thing in common--they are both trapped and held back from their potential. Choose an animal that you have something in common with and write about it. |
Chapter 5 & 6Diagon Alley pg. 49-66
Journey from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters pg.67-84 *Spend some time to reflect on your blog home page. What do you think of the novel so far? What do you think of the Weebly process? Elaborate. Vocabulary Due: Chapter 5 & 6 Bungler, Tottering, Vault, Shabby, Annoyed, Briskly, Stern, Relieved, Riffraff, Gliding, Gleamed, Swarthy, Gruffly, Clambered, Tinge Questions Due: Chapter 5 & 6 1. Why did Hagrid hate the way they had to travel to get to London? 2. Why did Harry and Hagrid go to Gringott’s bank? 3. Why do you think the boy Harry met was against Muggle-born wizards? 4. What was so curious about thewant that chose Harry? 5. Why was the platform nine and three-quarters so unbelievableto the Dursleys? 6. What was Ron and Harry’s first impression of Hermione? 7. What kept Ron and Harry from fighting Malfoy and his friends? Journal Entries (MINIMUM OF 8 SENTENCES EACH): 1) If you were selected to go to Hogwarts and could only bring ONE item from home, what would it be? Why is this item so significant? ***Harry meets MANY new characters on the Howarts Express. Spend some time describing both their physical and personalities under your characters tab of your weebly.*** FUN ASSIGNMENT
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It's time to talk about...THEMES
desire, authority, motifs, humility, necessity of rebellion
Harry Potter has many themes that you as an individual can connect and resonate with. Choose two of the themes above and provide examples of how you identify with them. Your answers should be in paragraph form. You can tell a story or provide multiple examples from your life.
Harry Potter has many themes that you as an individual can connect and resonate with. Choose two of the themes above and provide examples of how you identify with them. Your answers should be in paragraph form. You can tell a story or provide multiple examples from your life.
Chapters 7 & 8Vocabulary Due: Chapter 7 & 8
Magnificent, Banquet, Gales, Nearly, Meringue, Portrait, Herbology, Transfiguration, Criticizing, Boarhound Questions Due: Chapter 7 & 8 1. What does the sorting hat do to select your house? 2. What happened when Harry looked at Snape? 3. How do Gryffindors get into their house area? 4. What happened to Professor Binns to make him the only ghost professor? 5. What did Snape take away points from Gryffindor twice during class? 6. Where did Harry and Ron go on Friday afternoon? Journal Entries (MINIMUM OF 8 SENTENCES EACH): 1) Would you have been startled or scared if you were a 'first year'? What are you afraid of? Talk about your biggest fear and what you do to cope with this. |
Chapters 9 & 10Vocabulary Due: Chapter 9 & 10
Typical, Remembrall, Triumphant, Interfering, Alohomora, Obvious, Quaffle, Bludgers, Troll, Fetch Questions Due: Chapter 9 & 10 1. Why was it a good idea keeping Neville away from brooms when he was growing up? 2. How did Harry get selected by Professor McGonagall to be the seeker for the Quidditch team? 3. What happened when Harry and Ron went to duel Malfoy? 4. How did Harry do on his broom with Wood? 5. How did Hermione skip class and avoid everyone? 6. Why do you think Hermione lied to cover for Ron and Harry? Journal Entries (MINIMUM OF 8 SENTENCES EACH): None for this chapter. |
Chapters 11 & 12Vocabulary Due: Chapter 11 & 12
conjured, drawl, provoked, disgruntled, sheer, brandished, tureens, engulfed, sickle, luminous, transfixed, entranced Questions Due: Chapter 11 & 12
Journal Entries (MINIMUM OF 8 SENTENCES EACH): 1) Describe in 8 sentences what the Mirror of Erised would show if you were standing in front of it. |
Chapters 13 & 14Vocabulary Due: Chapter 13 & 14
sinister, alchemy, fixedly, spat, prowling, quill, shifty, stifling, stoked, trowels, hitch Questions Due: Chapter 13 & 14
1) Looking back at this Chapter, what THEMES come into play? Describe at least three examples of the themes we talked about in class. Scroll up to review what they are. |
Chapters 15 & 16
alibas, feeble, dreading, meddle, leering, scudding, straining, livid, foretold, dappled, briskly, steeling, exasperrated Questions Due: Chapter 15 & 16 1. What talents s/he displays in order to pass through the obstacles 2. What heroic characteristic(s) s/he displays in order to pass through the obstacles 3. How the character has changed from the beginning of the book up to this point A. Harry B. Hermione C. Ron Journal Entries (MINIMUM OF 8 SENTENCES EACH): None |
Chapter 17Vocabulary Due: Chapter 17
spasm, turban, hygenic, detest, sidled, ruddy, remorse, jostled Questions Due: Chapter 17
Journal Entries (MINIMUM OF 8 SENTENCES EACH): 1) If you could finish the story differently, how would it end? Describe in detail how you would end the story. |