harry potter and teachers

[marybear82]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at y..., "dawbin99" <dawbin99 at y...> wrote:
  I was wondering if any teachers use Harry Potter in their 
> classes and if they do:
> - what grade?
> -are there any objections from fellow 
staff/teachers/parents/students?
> -how do you handle the objections?
> 
> Any advise and information is greatly appreciated!
> Thanks
> Dawn

Hi Dawn-
I haven't posted to OT before, and it's been a long time since I've 
had the opportunity to post on the book discussion list as well.  I 
recently finished teaching a week-long course called "Pottermania" for 
our local college campus's "Kids Kollege" program.  The program was 
designed for gifted students in grades 4-6.  However, among the 17 
kids in the class, there were a wide variety of experiences and 
abilities, since some were being shuttled in from other programs.  
Some had read all four books - others had only read SS, or 
none at all, but were fans of the movie. All were fans of HP, and 
parents obviously did not object.  

What surprised me more than anything else was their incredibly high 
comprehension.  I credit JKR for creating a world so vivid, that they 
remembered even minute details.  Even the slower readers were 
absolutely accurate in describing plot points, (and they did not get 
the book mixed up with the movie) character profiles, and details of 
the setting. In fact, if I was less than completely obsessed with all 
things Potter, I couldn't have kept up!

Thanks to the magic of the internet, and other teachers' willingness 
to share ideas there, we had a variety of cross-curricular activities 
that were "Potter-themed," but spent at least half of the time in 
literary discussion. Toward the end of the week, we began to discuss 
themes. Here, I had to allow a few to stare blankly into space while 
the more advanced students tore into the discussion - after all, it 
was what they had come there to do! I was amazed by the complexity of 
the discussion and the depth of their insight. All I had to do was ask 
pointed questions, and they answered better than a lot of high school 
students I've worked with.  We wound up by getting into really "deep" 
territory involving symbolism, etc. that had me inviting those 
students to continue with me at lunch break.  Surprisingly, even the 
students I thought were zoning out wanted to keep going. They may not 
have been talking, but they sure were listening.  

I encourage teachers to use HP in the classroom if they can. It is so 
richly textured, and appeals to such a wide variety of kids, that it 
practically teaches itself. Many kids(including Daniel Radcliffe)cite 
JKR's books as the jumping-off point to a lifetime of reading. Sadly, 
many districts have instituted a policy against teaching controversial 
works of literature in order to avoid conflict with parents. If your 
district has no such policy, I would forge ahead. As a small-town 
teacher and librarian, I know the irate Potter-hater very well. (My 
sister-in-law is one.)  I usually encourage those people to read the 
books, but many can't get past the setting enough to get to the story, 
and never will. A very wise teacher of mine once said, "It's easier to 
apologize for offending someone, than to ask permission." Best of luck 
to you, Dawn, as you continue your education - good teachers are a 
must, and HP is full of teachable moments.          
Peace, Mary (who sheepishly looks at the length of this post and 
mutters a heartfelt "sorry")