Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone

Main Characters: Harry, Ron, Hermione, Draco, Professor Dumbledore, Professor Snape, Professor Quirrell, Lord Voldemort, Hagrid

Setting: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Summary: Harry Potter thought he was an ordinary boy who lived with his aunt, uncle, and cousin after his parents died in a car crash.  When letters start pouring in from Hogwarts, a school he had never heard of, and received a personal visit from a giant named Hagrid, he begins learning much more about himself and his true destiny.  Harry learns that he is truly a wizard and is invited to come learn magic at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.  Harry meets his best friends Ron and Hermione and comes to love his life at Hogwarts.  When weird things like Harry's scar on his forehead starts burning and it seems that someone is trying to kill him, Harry starts looking into his parents past to figure out what the darkness around him is.  He learns that his parents were actually murdered by Lord Voldemort, a dark wizard, and he survived coming out with only a scar on his forehead.  Lord Voldemort has returned and is seeking the sorcerer's stone so that he can live an immortal life.  Harry faces Lord Voldemort, who has attached himself to Professor Quirrell, and shows true loyalty and bravery to defeat him and save the stone.  In the end, the stone is destroyed so no wizard can take it and use it for evil.  The theme of this book is to always fight for what you believe in and how courage and bravery play a big role in that.

I would use this book to teach students about character traits.  After previously learning what character traits are and how to use information from books to decide that certain characters have different character traits, I would have each student choose two character from the book.  I would have students create a chart linking character actions to character traits.  Then, I would have students present their charts and explain how their characters' actions led them to believe they have certain character traits.  I would also use this book to teach students about theme.  There are many themes you could come up with from this book so it would be interesting to see what students believe is the theme.  After learning what a theme is, I would have students get in groups and come up with what they believe the theme of this book is and why.

Below are also two lessons I would use while reading this book.

Questions to consider:

• Is this a genre that you enjoy personally?
• How would you explain the difference between science fiction, fantasy, and fantasy adventure (modern fantasy)?
• What's "too much" in science fiction or fantasy adventure books? DO you have guidelines for what books you would use in your classroom as required reading?

Reference:

Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone. Scholastic, Inc. New York, NY. 1999. Print.