Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and the rest of the series shouldn't be available in the classroom but they should be available in the school library. The library is an excellent resource place to find books that are interesting to the readers. In addition, what I have learned in the profession of education is that you have to protect yourself. Hence, knowing that Harry Potter books are very controversial, having the books available in the library would be a safe place because any issue that rises would be the school's problem.
I wouldn't use the book as part of my instruction because it goes back to the issue the book brings, wizardry and magic. Harry Potter books can tap into religion very fast and cause a big dilemma with parents. I personally think the book is for one's own interest; although, it does teaches many values such as friendship and overcoming hurdles. Also, children can find some kind of connection in the book even though they wish they had magic too; because I wish I have magic. Now if a teacher does want to use the book in her instruction, then she should write a letter home notifying the parents of her intention for using the book and what objectives the students will learn from the lesson.
I enjoy reading book with magic and impossible things because I love having an imagination that is wild. I mean so many kids are loosing their imagination due to video games, television, and media. I would think they can imagine things using what they saw on games and television but I was wrong. As a former teacher assistant, I helped with the preparation of the fourth grade writing test and all I can say about that was "Let there be miracle." It was so hard for me to help them paint a picture of their story and add details to it. So, by having book like the Harry Potter books, students can be introduce to and travel into a magical place and read about magic, wizards, protagonists, and villains. We don't experience this kind of excitement in reality so why not let a book take us there. By saying so, I'm just going to quote from the article on what Trelease stated about the Potter books because I am in alliance with him. "They won't turn children into the devil's disciples but will go a long way toward turning them into rabid readers. If we wrote textbooks like this, students would be volunteering for homework."
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While I respect your opinion I completely disagree. Harry Potter is a well written fantasy book. All books are controversial depending on who you are talking to. Each child should be able to choose what books they read. I do not feel the teacher should push any on book nor stay away from one either. As a parent I talk to my children about books. I always read the book first. Then I discuss if the book is appropriate or not and why. If there is something I do not agree with I tell them. But most books unless they have what I consider adult content I let them read. I value their interest in reading more than what children's book they chose. It should definitely be in the classroom. It is an AR testable book, and a popular series the classroom may be the only way to get a chance to read it. Michelle
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that children today are no long able to create worlds on magic on thier own. They expect it to be done for them and in 3D! They are losing a part of childhood that I loved. We are creating a world for our Children much like we would find in A brave new world by Huxley.
ReplyDeleteJoy, I can see your point about not putting it in the classroom but that it should be available in the library. I will probably use it in my classroom unless I have a parent against it but I see your point.
ReplyDeleteI understand that there are controversial issues with Harry Potter. However, I think it is a poor excuse to not have it in your classroom just because of that. Yes, some parents will say they don't want their children to read Harry Potter and most of them havn't read it to begin with. Well stated about if we read books like this, students would be asking for homework. Harry Potter lets you enter a magical world totally strange to reality. Enjoy that vacation and bring it into your classroom.
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