Hogwarts, Here We Come!

We've embarked on a shared reading experience in my sixth grade classes: I have agreed to read as much of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series as I can for the rest of the school year. We are halfway through Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone so far.

Before I began, I polled the kids to see how many of them had recently been read to by an adult for an extended period of time. Only a few raised their hands.

So far, so good. I can tell this was the right choice for a read aloud because at the conclusion of every chapter, I'm bombarded by shouts to "Read more! Read more!"

Update on MS Justice Project

Middle School Justice Project: Since the "trial" there haven't been any disruptions in my presence due to student conflicts...perhaps the one trial was enough? If so, then I will attempt conducting impromptu approximations of our American legal system throughout the year as needed. Perhaps the idea of a possible trial for one's actions might encourage students to think before they act?

Am I naive enough to think the trial made a huge difference? No. But I do think it prompted thought and a bit of contemplation. That makes it a success in my book. Everything doesn't need to be heavy and lesson-laden. We kill so much in our education process by overdoing it.