A Term at Hogwarts

We’ve embarked on a new unit-study! This time it is

Harry Potter: A Term at Hogwarts!

Won’t you join us for a few weeks of magical, fun-filled adventure? Study right alongside Superboy, Harry and pals at Hogwarts and discover your inner wizard!

Course of study:

Reading

Harry Potter books, of course! No schedule, just start wherever you are! No previous knowledge is assumed in this unit study, nor will there be any spoilers.

Herbology

Requirements: All first year students are required to familiarize themselves with at least ten new herbs per term.

For each herb studied you must:

1. Give common and Latin names (genus and species) and family.

2. Make a sketch of the plant, colored appropriately

3. Describe the parts of the plant, pointing out important features

4. Explain its cultivation and care

5. Give a brief history of the herb

6. list its household uses

7. common medicinal uses

8. magical properties

You will begin by studying the following herbs:

1. Chamomile- Magical property: main ingredient in sleep potions. (activity: make Chamomile tea at bedtime).

2. Tarragon-magical property: defense against dragon bites.

3. yarrow

4. caraway

5. horseradish

6. Dill

7. aloe vera

8. silver birch (activity:have a cup of birch beer, yum!and non-alcoholic, btw)

Then you may choose two or more herbs of your own interest. Be sure to choose wisely as your knowledge of herbs may very well save your life!

Care and Feeding of Magical Creatures

Requirements:For this class you will become familiar with the many magical creatures you may encounter both at Hogwarts and in the outside world.

For each magical creature you study:

1. make a sketch of the creature, labeling important features

2. list any historical or literary references to the creature

3. describe its natural habitat

4. discuss its habits, temperament, and relationship to humans

5. list its magical properties

6. explain the care and feeding of the creature

Begin your studies with the following magical creatures:

1. owl (additional assignment here)

2. Hippogriff

3. phoenix

4. Kraken

5. unicorn

6. werewolves

Then choose 4 other magical creatures to study. Take care to choose wisely, as your knowledge of magical creatures could one day prevent a terrible injury or death!

Potions, Charms, and Spells

(I will be adding these daily)

First year students will learn many skills that will be important for potion making, as well as some simple potions, charms, and spells.

Your teacher will supply you each day with instructions for this class so that you do not do something foolish by working ahead. You must keep a journal to record what you have done (including ingredients, procedures, spells, chants, wand motions etc) and what you have hopefully learned.

Study well, as knowledge of potions and charms is a powerful weapon against dark forces!

Potion 1: Goblin Slobber

Goblin slobber is a potion which is particularly effective against being followed through woods and caves. Just drip some goblin slobber on the path behind you and anything that is chasing you will be driven away.

You will need:

One flask of water

¼ measure instant goblin slobber(dehydrated)

1 full measure Manticore milk

1 full measure water

3 drops goblin blood

Cauldron (mixing bowl will do if you have not yet received your cauldron)

Your wand, of course.

1. Rehydrate the goblin slobber:Pour the instant goblin slobber into the flask of water. Stir briskly with wand to dissolve while chanting “soluloso aqualitem.” Repeat until fully dissolved.
2. Into the manticore milk pour the measure of water and the goblin blood and stir, repeating incantation.
3. The final step is to pour the two solutions into the cauldron and stir well chanting “goblinatum sloberosum.” You may need to adjust the quantities, so add them slowly.
   

(Note to professors: muggles will know these ingredients by different names. Instant goblin slobber= borax. Manticore milk= Elmer’s glue. Goblin blood= green food coloring. flask=quart, measure=cup)

Potion 2: Magic or Muggle?

This bright yellow potion gives you the ability to detect whether someone is muggle or magic.

You need:

1 vial nettle nectar

1/4 vial (approx) ground dragon scale

filter paper

Veritaserum

1. Put your filter paper into the cauldron.
2. Dissolve the ground dragon scale into the nettle nectar,shaking well to dissolve.
3. Pour over top of paper, allowing it to soak in well.
4. Remove paper from cauldron and hang to dry. Dust off any left over dragon scale.
5. Once paper is dry, dip right hand into Veritaserum (pour it into a bowl) and place directly onto paper with a slap.
6. Your true bloodline will be revealed!

(Note to professors: muggles will know these ingredients by different names. Nettle nectar= rubbing alcohol, ground dragon scale= turmeric, veritaserum= baking soda and water solution)

Potion 3: Instant Ocean

This potion is very useful for creating a peaceful seaside vacation atmosphere in a small space. If made properly you can see the tiny waves and sea-foam inside the flask. This potion should be done in a place where messes are not a problem in case of sloppy magic by first year students. A calming charm may be needed in case of storms at sea.

You will need:

• Narrow-necked flask
• 2 vials Midsummer Dewdrops
• 1/2 dribble Kraken slime
• 3-4 drops of Squeaking-Squid ink
• 1 teaspoon Pulverized Narwhal Horn dissolved in ~2 tablespoons very warm water
• Funnel
• Large Cauldron

1. Stand flask in cauldron with funnel in top
2. Add 3-4 drops of squid ink to the Midsummer dew, shake well to mix
3. pour through the funnel into the flask
4. Add the Kraken slime to the mixture in the flask.
5. Pour the narwhal horn mixture into the bottle and remove the funnel.

(Note to professors: Muggles will know these ingredients by their common names: hydrogen peroxide, dawn detergent (preferably green), blue food coloring, and yeast.)

Magical Properties of Dragons :

You’ve already discovered the magical property of dragon scales during the muggle or magic potion. Now you will learn about the properties of dragon skin and dragon down (the fluffy feathers from underneath the wing).

Young wizards and witches should have adult supervision as all parts of a dragon are highly flammable. A fire-proof cauldron is advised.

Dragon skin: take thin slices of dragon skin and hold them next to an open flame. Bend the skin, squeezing until it bursts. You should see tiny sparks fly as the fire-breathing properties are released. This should be done very close to the flame.

Dragon down: Put a small quantity of dragon down into a cauldron. Touch the end of a 9 volt battery lightly to the down to release the fire-breathing properties (see video here).

(Note to professors: muggles will know these items as orange peel and steel wool.)

Alchemy

(I’ll be adding assignments as we go)

All first year students will be studying the 4 elements.

Assignment 1: Make a notebook and decorate the cover to show that you have an understanding of what the 4 elements are.

Assignment 2: Make a wall timeline of geologic time. Begin at the beginning and end now.

Assignment 3: In your notebook draw maps of the earth at various times in history, showing movements of the tectonic plates. Be sure to include time periods that show Pangaea, Laurasia and Gondwanaland, and the modern arrangement of continents.

Assignment 4:Draw a picture that shows the layers of the atmosphere. Label and describe each layer.

Assignment 5: Print up a page-size periodic table of the elements and put it into your notebook. On the facing page sketch out elements 1-10, use color-coding for protons, neutrons and electrons.

Assignment 6: Learn about ions, ionic and covalent bonds, and compounds. Write the definitions in your notebook.

Assignment 7: Molecules. Learn about molecules and sketch out some in your notebook. Try water, carbon dioxide, and methane. Challenge: glucose. Make models out of gum drops, play-doh, skulpey, whatever.

Assignment 8: Learn about acids and bases. Draw a pH scale in your notebook. Use your “muggle or magic” paper to test lots of substances around the house, like vinegar, wine, lemon juice, baking soda, cola, bleach, ammonia, milk, etc. Make a table in your notebook showing your results. If you have litmus papers you can use them as well.