February’s Lesson – The Hogwarts School Life

School is the focus of the Harry Potter series. Without Hogwarts, Harry Potter would probably be attending Stonewall High, the Muggle School in his neighborhood. Therefore his magical talents would remain hidden. In contrast to Harry’s unpleasant experiences at his primary school, Hogwarts liberates him. He and his classmates are immersed into a routine of classes, school, and house activities. They seem oblivious to news and events occurring in the external, Muggle world. Hogwarts is almost like a bomb shelter, shielding the students from any form of external danger.

The Hogwarts term begins on September first and ends on June thirtieth. In the meantime, students return home for two months of summer vacation, after undergoing rigorous examinations. Beginning students are separated into houses at the beginning of term and are bonded with older students through communal singing of the school ballad at the opening feast. The exact cost of tuition is not mentioned, though there seems to be no charge, considering that muggles can not buy their way into such a school.

The Hogwarts’ houses are the nucleus for student life. Every house has specific traditions, mentors, ghosts, and foes. Gryffindor is brave and daring, while Slytherin is sly and cunning. Hufflepuff is loyal and hardworking, as Ravenclaw is wise and witty. Members gather in the house common rooms to write in diaries, play games, and struggle with homework. Each house has approximately seventy members with ten students entering each year. Half of these students are boys and half are girls. Harry tends to share his dormitory with four other boys. (It is believed that the girls’ dormitory is set up the same way, with five in a room). There are about 280 students who study at Hogwarts each year and the faculty is made up of twenty professors and an unknown amount of staff working in the kitchen and on the grounds.

The teachers at Hogwarts range anywhere from good instructors (Remus Lupin) to ineffective instructors (Gilderoy Lockhart), to the most evil of instructors (Severus Snape). Hogwarts could be considered a charm school, not only teaching students how to cast spells but also insisting that they master etiquette, such as using titles when addressing professors. Literature and mathematics are standard Muggle courses, while alchemy and ancient language are core subjects. However, there are many similarities that are shared between the Muggle schools and Hogwarts. Such as many boarding schools/private schools require students to wear a uniform and/or formal robe, which resemble the one’s worn at Hogwarts. Students also study in somewhat rustic classrooms, observe precise protocol to greet teachers and school mates in public; purchase specific items required by the school.

Students live in turrets and house towers which tend to branch off of their house dungeon. In these dormitories, they decorate their living space with personal mementoes from home, such as photographs of their family, or posters of their favorite sports team. Trunks are placed in front of the beds and furniture’s stores wardrobes and supplies. Rugs cover cold stone floors. Cats and rats live with their owners in their dormitories, and owls roost in the owlery located in the West Tower.

Older students often serve as mentors to the younger pupils as they adjust to the rigors of Hogwarts. Whether advising on what classes to take or revealing secret passages, these mentors transfer school traditions while guiding novice wizards and witches. House members support each other through private conversation and through sports related events, such as quidditch. At night, wakeful students such as Ron, Harry and Hermione, roam the halls to seek answers to mysteries or explore rooms to satisfy their adventurous natures.

It does not seem that Hogwarts has a newspaper or yearbook. Nor does the school host traditional science fairs or spelling bees. Instead they host bizarre competitions and tournaments, such as the Tri-Wizard tournament.



February’s Assignment

Part One- Fill in the blank

1. Gryffindor is brave and_______, while Slytherin is ______and cunning.
2. Hufflepuff is _______and hard working, as Ravenclaw is wise and_____.
3. Each house has approximately ______ members with _______students entering each year.
4. ________ and _______are standard Muggle courses, while _______and ______ are core subjects at Hogwarts.
5. Older students often serve as ______to the younger pupils as they adjust to the ______of Hogwarts.

Part Two- Multiple Choice

1. What is the focus of the Harry Potter Series?
a. Work
b. Quidditch
c. School
d. Winning the house cup

2. The Hogwarts Faculty is made up of how many people?
a. 10
b. 20
c. 30
d. 40

3. Where do the Hogwarts student’s owls live?
a. Inside the student’s dormitory
b. Inside a tree, located on the Hogwarts grounds
c. Anywhere around the school
d. The Owlery

Part Three- Critical thinking short answer question

1. J.K. Rowling has not indicated whether or not the students at Hogwarts would form a fire brigade if necessary. What do you think would happen if there was a fire at Hogwarts? Is it actually possible for a stone castle to burn? (The answer can not be fond in the lesson. Therefore there is no right or wrong answer; it is only your opinion.)

This assignment is due February 29, 2004. Remember to include your HOL Name and ID!

Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, please send your assignment to mirabella_nevlome@yahoo.com

Slytherin and Gryffindor, please send your assignment to ProfNinaAtlas@aol.com