Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter, an eleven-year-old orphan, discovers that he is a wizard and is invited to study at Hogwarts. Even as he escapes a dreary life and enters a world of magic, he finds trouble awaiting him.
Genre: friendship, family, adventure
Themes: bullying, life and death, magic and imagination, friendship, love and courage
Age: 8-11 years old
Activities
1. Research. Fluffy the 3 headed dog is believed to be based on a similar creature from Greek mythology. Get learners to research the original and compare with the description of Fluffy in the book.
2. Haiku. Summarise one of the characters using a Haiku.
3. Creative writing. Get learners to describe meeting a magical animal like the talking boa constrictor Harry encounters at the zoo. What powers will the animal have? Where will it live?
4. Analysis and reflection. Hogwarts students are sorted into 4 houses. Get learners to look up the characteristics of each and assign themselves or their partners to a house and justify their choices.
5. Debate. The Dudleys kept Harry’s past a secret from him. Get your learners to debate if this was the right decision to protect themselves and Harry or was it selfish?