Teachers, older siblings, weasley's and something OT on the storms in the UK

[Simon J. Branford]

No: HPFGUIDX 4920

Susan wrote: "What so Hermione should censor herself so that the boys, oops,
other classmates don't feel bad and have a chance to answer the questions?
it's the teacher's responsibility not to call on the smartest/best prepared
student and equalize the answers. The student's responsibility is to answer
the questions."

Which leads me to the question: Why do several of the teachers always seem
to ask Hermione for the answers. They seem quite bad at getting student
participation in classes.


Susan wrote: "My older brother (six years older) was a star on the High
school basketball team, was in high honors in every class, was extremely
popular with girls, and didn't like losing (even to his little sister).
I took it as a challenge, competed with him when I could (tennis, pingpong,
chess) and carved my own way.
Of course, he was actually very kind to me, and helped me along, and my
parents were very positive about both of us."

This can work the other way as well. I have always been the academic of the
family and my brother has always been the more social of the two of us. He
is 3 years older than me and teachers spent ages trying to get him to do
more by comparing my achievements to his. Not that any of this worked! I do
feel envious of his social skills but have learnt to live with the fact that
we are different people and always be so.


Dr MM wrote: "But just because one child is like you, does that mean you
should shower gifts (like owls) on them that you don't give your other
children?"

Molly hardly showers gifts on Percy. The owl he gets for being made a
prefect comes from Arthur and the robes he was treated to make the right
impression for the family name - you cannot have your family shown up by
your son, as prefect, having tatty robes. This is hardly showering someone
with gifts. Molly does give a lot of attention to Percy but she seems to do
this to all of her children.


Eggplant wrote: "You're giving reasons why Ron was an ass, perhaps your
theory is correct, perhaps not, it doesn't matter, he's still an ass, he
still unjustly called his best friend a liar. I happen to think that's a
very big deal, I think it would permanently poison most friendships, it's
just lucky for Ron that Harry has a forgiving nature. Few people are
fortunate enough to have a friend as good as Harry and Ron almost threw it
away."

I did not think that Ron did call Harry a liar (I have lent my copy of GoF
to a friend and so cannot check what is said). I thought that Ron just made
comments that Harry was hiding some information from him. Not sharing his
secrets for fear of getting into trouble.


Julia wrote: "I hope that anyone who may have had to endure the massive
storm in the UK/Ireland last night is doing alright.  I heard a story about
it on National Public Radio on my dinner break tonight.  I guess there was
90mph winds and lots of damage.  A good chunk of southern England is without
power (of course that may have changed now) and I heard there was damage all
the way up to the midlands.  I know there are some people on this list that
live overseas.  I hope you're all alright!"

I have not personally been affected but it does seem to be very bad. From
what I have heard it sounds as if my parents would have been affected by the
power losses (they were out when I rang earlier - said before someone makes
some comment about showing a lack of caring for them).

Simon (Sorry for the incoherent nature of this message - have been eating
lunch while typing)

PS: I have finished my work for the week - so now can sit back, relax and
read The Truth by Terry Pratchett. Just have to hold off until after my
class this afternoon - if I start reading now I will never go to it!