Our fun activity of the week was going shopping for our owls! After Harry goes to Diagon Alley in Chapter 5, and Hagrid buys him Hedwig, we did a little research! I gave students a guided research graphic organizer to get them started. First, we spent 5 minutes “owl shopping” as a class on the Smartboard. I pulled up pictures of all of the types of owls for sale at Eyelops Owl Emporium and students could choose the type they wanted.
We spent two days researching, for about 20 minutes each time, to learn more about our owls. Then students wrote a rough draft of their owl story. We talked about how these were part real, and part fake because they had facts about the owls, but the name and story behind the owl was made up.
Once students had their rough draft done, they traded and peer edited, and had me check it off before getting their final copy.
Then the fun part–making their owls and their cages! I followed these simple directions for the Chinese lanterns to use as cages. We used the 12×18 construction paper to make the cages, and I had students cut off every other strip to leave space in between the cage bars to see the owls.
Here are some pictures of everything in action:
I am so jealous that you get to do this type of reading and writing with your students. Where I teach, the district has taken the fun right out of teaching for the teachers. We are told what to do during reading and writing from people downtown. It is so sad and sometimes so boring. I have been teaching for more than 20 years and I miss teaching this way. Keep the posts coming. I would love to continue to read about your adventures.
Tammy
Mrs. Flickinger's Butterfly Oasis
HOW FUN! I am amazed by your Harry Potter fun!
Erin
Very Perry Classroom
I've been planning to do this in January after winter break (need some planning time!), so I've been listening to my students. They know I love all things Harry Potter. Sadly, I overheard one say his dad won't let him watch the movies because it has witches in it. How did your address this before you started? Did you contact parents?
I've been planning to do this in January after winter break (need some planning time!), so I've been listening to my students. They know I love all things Harry Potter. Sadly, I overheard one say his dad won't let him watch the movies because it has witches in it. How did your address this before you started? Did you contact parents?
What an amazing reading unit! Lots of fun, lots of common core addressed and students seem SO engaged in reading. Your class and teaching style are very inspiring. Thank you for sharing. Would love to try something like this. How long is your reading block time each day? How many days a week?
Love the 9 3/4 platform! How did you cut a shopping cart in half?
I am so sorry to hear that you are so restricted in your teaching! The WORST thing admin can do is keep teachers from being teachers. I love the freedom for creativity I am allowed and I truly see my students grow because of it! Thanks for your kind words! I will be hoping and praying that your district changes their stand point in the near future so you get to have a little more say in what you teach! 🙂 Thanks for reading!
Amelia
You are so very sweet! Thank you for stopping by and reading! 🙂
Amelia
Aw, this makes me so incredibly excited and happy for you and your students!!
This was something that I thought about a lot before I taught it, and to be honest, one of the reasons I haven't taught it in the past. I sent a letter to parents explaining how my passion for reading grew when I discovered this series as a child and all about helping their child find their true to heart book <3. Then I sent home a letter about the movie helping guide the curriculum and make connections. I made this a permission slip, too. I didn't have one parent even question it this year, which was awesome! In the future, I will do my best to continue to explain the importance, and hope that parents see how positively it impacts their child!
Thanks for reading! 🙂
Amelia
Thank you so much for your kind words and for reading along! I plan to do a detailed blog post about what my reading block looks like while teaching a novel like this, but here's a short and to the point answer! 🙂
I have 90 minutes a day for Language Arts. I usually do a 10 minute grammar lesson to start, followed by a 10 minute reading mini lesson. Then, a 20-30 minute read aloud time slot for read aloud. We finish with 3 stations that I divide the remaining time up for. So usually they are about 15 minute stations. During these stations students do Word Work activities, comprehension activities, small group, grammar practice, and technology-centered activities. Students rotate through each station throughout the week at least once. Does that make sense? 🙂
For the cart, we used a Sawzall saw to cut it in half and cut the front wheels off. Then used clamps to create "legs" so it would prop up against the wall. Then I spray painted the whole thing. 🙂 I love how it turned out!
Thanks for reading!
Amelia
You have left no detail out! I love it! So fun and engaging!!
Amelia,
These ideas are incredible! I can't even imagine how excited and engaged your students must be! All of the decor is beautiful. That is so nice of your husband and other volunteers to help you! 🙂 I love love love the owl projects!!! I am having so much fun reading about how you have created the Harry Potter world in your classroom. Thank you!!!
-Stacia 🙂
Collaboration Cuties
Are there examples of your parent letters in the unit? I so want to do this with my class next year, I'm moving to 4th advanced but I also worry about any parents not wanting or allowing their children to participate. You have done an amazing job with this!!
Hello! I am LOVING reading about your unit, and can't wait to start it with my class- Last year I ran a Harry Potter after school program, and might again next year using this. Just wondering whether you did this as a read-aloud, or if students read with you. It looks like students had their own copies, or a few extras to share. How did that look/work in your classroom?
I was wondering what templates you used for the OWLS? I am eagerly wanting to do with this my students. We start our 6 week lesson plan in a couple of weeks. Any help would be awesome! Thanks for the great ideas!!!!
I learn some new stuff from it too, thanks for sharing your information.
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