Harry Potter Book Club

 

We were jam-packed for our special Harry Potter themed Book Club this month. The library was transformed into Diagon Alley with shops on display, including Eeylops Owl Emporium, Honeydukes, Pottages Cauldrons, Ollivander’s Wand Shop. Students snacked on Cauldron Cakes, Butterbeer, and Chocolate Frogs with trading cards.

Dr. Bell discussed the psychology of Harry Potter and if magic is real. He explained that the idea of magic doesn’t go away as we get older, but it goes under the surface and takes the form of feelings like “bad juju”.

 

Ms. Connor talked about the science of Harry Potter, specifically potions and chemistry. She discussed how alchemy is the beginning of chemistry and how Harry Potter follows the history of science and the use of herbal remedies, such as the mandrake root.

Ms. Batarseh wrapped up Book Club by discussing the Latin of Harry Potter. She explained how J.K. Rowling plays “fast and loose” with Latin in the books by not using literal translations and by combining Latin words with Anglo-Saxon words.

Week in Review

What a week it’s been! The library has been jam-packed with events this week from Harry Potter to presentations to passion projects.

On Monday and Tuesday, the library was host to the Sophomore Project Presentations where the Top 10 finalists presented their year-long research on languages or religions.

Wednesday was our special Harry Potter themed Book Club (read about it here) followed by Poem in Your Pocket Day for the kindergarteners. High school students visited the Lower School library and helped the youngsters act out poems or draw related pictures.

Continuing with the Harry Potter library takeover, the Harry Potter Club had their last meeting of the year on Thursday. The meeting featured a special guest, Quaffle, library dog-in-training.

Thursday was also the first day Ms. Little’s 6th graders were in the library to learn how to research for their upcoming passion projects.

And finally, on Friday the hardcore members of the Political Puzzles club met to discuss current political issues.

Week in Review

Welcome back! We hope everyone had a relaxing and book-filled break.

The Glass Knife had another round of board meetings this week as they continue to work hard on this years’ book. They also had their first work night on Friday.

On Thursday Ms. Melinson taught the 10th graders about citations for their Sophomore Projects – with the help of some chocolate.

We’ve been spending this week prepping for the many upcoming events over the next few weeks. Here’s a preview of what’s to come!

Week in Review: Spring Break Edition

They say April showers bring May flowers, but this March might just give April a run for its money. It’s been one cold and wet week as we countdown to Spring Break!

The Glass Knife has being having board meetings all week to discuss submissions and other super secret Glass Knife business as they prepare this year’s book.

On Tuesday Ms. Melinson and Melissa met with local librarians to talk about what’s going in the library world and find out what challenges and successes they’re dealing with.

We also enjoyed Tea for Two on Tuesday as a nice pick-me-up from the cold weather.

Dr. Baird’s WWII students have been reading historical fiction set during World War II and blogging about their novels over the past few weeks. They will also write a brief review for the library catalog as well as a longer review for the class that includes an analysis of how the history in the book compares to the history that they’ve learned in class this year. On Wednesday, we had a lively special ediition of Book Club (complete with library brownies) to discuss the books with the class and Dr. Baird and Ms. Melinson. Most of the kids really liked their books a lot and made some really good points about their reading. Many of them also saw the movies, which often differed in significant ways from the books so that gave us plenty to discuss. Here are the books that they read:

Anny – Salt to the Sea by Rita Sepetys

Fred – Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett

Christian – Invasion by Walter Dean Myers

Jesus – Bridge Over the River Kwai by Pierre Boulle

Mac – The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Quin – A Walk in the Sun by Harry Brown

Nicole – City of Thieves by David Benioff

Esme – Empire of the Sun by JG Ballard

Bonus:

Thursday was National Puppy Day and Alan brought his adorable German Shepard puppy for a visit and many ear scritches.