Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince Lessons

It is possible to teach English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies etc. with the Harry Potter books. If you are looking for some ideas, try some of these lesson developed by Buffalo State graduate students. - click here -

Let's get great literature in our classrooms and use our brains to think about Pedagogy instead of relying on a publisher.

Here is an example of a Science lesson:

Professor Slughorn's Mystery Potion

1.) Objective:

Performance Indicator- MST4.E.PS3B: Students describe chemical and physical changes in state of matter
Major Understandings - 3.2c : Changes in the properties or materials of objects can be observed and described.

2.) Materials
Teacher

• Borax (powered soap)
• Glue
• Water
• Food coloring
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Plastic spoons
• Plastic bowls
• Graphic Organizer for students to record results
• Three potions and their descriptions on large poster paper

Product: The students will be able to observe an endothermic reaction when turning a liquid into a solid.

Assessment: The students will be able identify states of matter by correctly labeling the ingredients

3.) Procedure

• Welcome to Potions! Horace Slughorn left us four ingredients and recipe. I have three potions and their descriptions on the board. Our task is to follow the recipe to determine what potion we have created. The ingredients are:
  • 1 tsp of Borax (powered soap)
  • 1 cup of Glue
  • 1 1/4 cups of Water
  • Food Coloring
• While we mix our potion, we need to pay close attention to its physical characteristics. The three different potions that are on the board are in different states of matter. One is a solid, one is a liquid, and one is a gas. (Review with the students each state of matter)
• As we are mixing our potions, I want you to write down some observations on our graphic organizer. You can write bulleted observations and draw pictures during each phase of our experiment. Think about how it looks and feels? What state is it in?
• Before we start, identify and label what state of matter each ingredient is in. *Notice: none of the ingredients are in a gas state.
• The first step of our experiment is to make the borax and water solution. Once you have made the borax solution, record you observations. What does it look like? How does it feel? What state of matter is it now? (Liquid)
  • Measure 1 teaspoon of borax and add 1/2 cup of water into one bowl
  • Mix until borax is dissolved (it doesn't have to be exactly half, as long as it dissolves the borax)
  • Squeeze two drops of food coloring into the solution
• The next step is to combine the glue and the rest of the water into one bowl. As you do this write down some observations. What does it look like? How does it feel? What state of matter is it in now? (liquid)
  • Measure 1 cup of glue and put it in a bowl
  • Pour the left over water into the bowl with the glue
  • Stir the glue and water with a spoon
• After you have created the two solutions, slowly stir the borax solution into the bowl with the glue and water. What is happening? What does it look like? How does it feel? What state of matter is it now? (Solid)
• When it starts to form a ball, you can pick it up and work work it between your hands.
• Identify what you have created by comparing its characteristics with the descriptions of the three potions. (We have first created two liquids, mixed them together, and made a solid)
• Now look at the board and compare your results to the descriptions of the three potions. What potion did we create?