Teachers Use Harry Potter to Teach Science

Nicole Humphrey (15757) 10 Jul 2007 10:06 AM

What a great way to get children reading and interested in Science. I really think people need to remember that the stories are simply that - stories. Harry Potter is just the imagination of an author. I think it's great that teacher's are using that to their advantage. There are also other teaching resources out there (teacher's books, etc.) that can be found at Teacher stores, that have other ways to use Harry Potter in the classroom. At least there are teacher's out there trying to make teaching fun.

Lyn Newton (3966) 10 Jul 2007 11:29 AM

Very true, Nicole. Why not build on the interest of the children? Like I said, I have not read or watched Harry Potter. However, Cinderella, Snow White, Alice in Wonderland, Beauty and the Beast and the Tooth Fairy all contain what some could say was magic or witchery.

Nicole Humphrey (15757) 10 Jul 2007 05:43 PM

Agreed Karri, I get irratated hearing all that, when children don't see it that way. It is a fun, imaginative, creative way to get lost in something. If I took to heart every book I ever read (And I've read a lot!) I'd be a mess. Everything could be perceived some way. I enjoyed your article and think it's great that a teacher has decided to incorporate the children's interest into the classroom. I bet it's fun for her too!

Andrea Hermitt (5512) 12 Jul 2007 10:07 AM

Harry Potter... Science? Maybe modern lit, but not science... I would have a problem with that if my kids were required to take such a course.... and yes, it is partly for religious reasons. I went ahead and bought the books thinking we could read and talk about them. My kids got halfway through the second one and both said they found them too dark and disturbing. I have to go through my kids instinct on this one.

Valorie Delp (49340) 12 Jul 2007 12:54 PM

I have to wonder how much time they're wasting relating science to Harry Potter when they could just be learning science? I often find that these courses are more fluff than worth.

Lyn Newton (3966) 12 Jul 2007 02:09 PM

I think that it is probably going through so well without rejection because it is an after school program and not during the day. I think that it can be successful but it takes a lot of time and creativity for a teacher to use something like this.

Valorie Delp (49340) 12 Jul 2007 05:56 PM

Ahhh. . .that makes more sense. As a former after school program director I can totally see how you could do that effectively for those purposes.

Lyn Newton (3966) 12 Jul 2007 06:03 PM

Andrea, I think that you were doing the right thing by being open minded about the books and giving them a try. I would have discarded the thought too if my children did not enjoy them.

TSTL (5) 28 Jul 2008 11:59 AM

Dear Lyn, Andrea, Valorie, and Nicole- I know it has been more than a year since you all had this discussion but I thought I would chime in just in case you ever check back. Allow me to introduce myself...My name is Charlene Haviland and I am the one who created the after school program you were chatting about. My BS degree is in chemistry and my Master's degree is in teaching. I have been involved in education for over 15 years. I wrote the grant for this program when I was teaching at an inner city school in Norfolk, VA It was a grant for over $84,000 and it was funded by the American Honda Foundation. This program received a A LOT of attention because it just happened to get funding and everything came together at the same times as one of the HP books was being released. What every one failed to note is that HP was ONLY one of the books used. The other books were The Lemony Snickets series, Treasure Island, A Tale of Desperaux and a couple of others that are slipping my mind at the moment. There were 40 eighth grade students who participated in the program. The majority of the students had some sort of gang relationship, were failing school and had discipline issues.However to participate in the program I had strict guidelines the students had to follow including but not limited to: coming to school, attending all classes, not getting referals, and doing the work required of them in the after school program. These students were required to read the books and complete a reading activity sheet and a science activity sheet before they came to class. I then had a reading specialist who discussed the assigned chapters with them and then we completed a hands on lab related to the chapters. For example in HP when they learn to levitate a feather I taught them about magnets and magnetic levitation, I used the Lemony Snickets series to teach the scientific method, Tresure Island = simple machines, etc I also had a field trip that went along with each book, The students went to an air and space museum, sailed on TWO tall ships, they went to Nauticus twice, and we also went to Busch Gardens where they had a 40 page booklet they had to fill out while at the amusement park. Mind you I took 40 inner city kids to an amusement park and did not have one single discipline problem! These students voluntarily came to me after school twice a week for 2 hours and they were at school by 7:30 am on Saturdays for the field trips that lasted until 6 at night. So Valorie when you say "I have to wonder how much time they're wasting relating science to Harry Potter when they could just be learning science? I often find that these courses are more fluff than worth." The hard science was there did they really learn anything I hope so the data I collected showed they did every one of these students passed their SOL test (Standards of Learning) More importantly they were reading by choice many for the first time. They were in a safe environment after school, they were making connections to the fact that yes many things we read or talk about are fantasy but they can be related to some hard core science facts. The most important thing of all to me is that for the first time these students were showing an interest in there education. I actually had an English teacher come to me and complain because many of these students were rushing through her worksheets so they could have time to READ my books! I of course did not see the problem of students reading in English class but that's a discussion for another blog. Andrea when you say "Harry Potter... Science? Maybe modern lit, but not science... I would have a problem with that if my kids were required to take such a course..." The students volunteered for the program they were not forced to take it. and if you think there is no science in HP obviously you have NOT read the books. They are full of chemistry, biology, genetics, physics, math, and more. You just have to know how to make the connection. Nicole Thank you for your support and comments. Although I would say I think science should be engaging, exciting and thought provoking. If it becomes fun as a side benefit well that's Ok too I guess. One of the biggest problems we as teachers have is trying to figure out how to motivate a student especially when there is limited or no family support so if that means I need to figure out what the students are interested in and teach my lessons around that then that's what I will do. I have since left that school district as teaching inner city for 3 years was long enough for me. I currently research the future of math and science and write lessons related to that. My area of focus is nanotechnology and I am also starting up an educational consulting company www.shapingoutstandingstudents.com. I hope you all have a great day and if you want further clarification you may feel free to email me at shapingoutstandingstudents@gmail.com Sincerely, Charlene Saunders (Haviland)

Andrea Hermitt (5512) 28 Jul 2008 04:42 PM

It's always great to get the full story Charlene!

The fact that you got the kids reading in their own time is nothing to sneeze at.