why bother with "close reading"?

In this module, we will broaden our curiosity about Harry Potter - either as a diehard fan or a total novice - by delving into the text and treating it as "sacred". We'll be asking if it's worth having a sacred text... and how that text can be of use once you find it.

​Many thanks to the HP Sacred Text crew for the inspiration and resources to do this close reading study!

Module summary:

• become familiar with the Harry Potter and the Sacred Text podcast
• read a few chapters of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, giving specific attention to themes
• analyze a chapter as a "sacred" text
• share findings with the class

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essential questions

• Why do we bother with "close" reading?
• Is note-taking really that important?

goals

• Students will understand that close reading gives us the tools to make connections between plot, characters, and deeper meanings.
• Students will understand that taking notes with a specific format gives us purpose when we work and helps us organize our thoughts better for a presentation

activities

 Monday 

• warm-up: read "Methodology" from Harry Potter and the Sacred Text podcast website
• discuss potential merits with - or skepticism about - having a "sacred" text
• recap context of Harry Potter stories for any muggles out there
• read chapter 2, "The Vanishing Glass"
• listen to Harry Potter and the Sacred Text podcast episode: Book 1, Chapter 2 (find on this page - scroll to "Loneliness: The Vanishing Glass")
  • take brief notes on podcast to keep up with and understand the format
  • discuss podcast episode - thoughts? takeaways? insights about the theme or plot?

Tuesday

• read Sorcerer's Stone Chapter 3, "The Letters From No One" independently
  • read twice! seriously. Read once for the story, second time for theme
  • highlight passages that illustrate the theme of "fear" in this chapter
  • try out 30-second recap as a contest - winner gets chocolate
  • discuss findings as a group
• choose a chapter to read independently
  • study this chapter through a theme (given or chosen)
  • work through "sacred text" process
    • download instructions
    • save a copy of this Google doc to your Drive to collect your notes

Wednesday

• most students will be taking the ASVAB this morning 
• otherwise, continue working on your chapter
  • finish and polish notes
  • practice 30-second recap
  • discuss findings with Christine

Thursday

• finish chapter notes
  • conference with Christine, revise notes as needed
  • practice 30-second recap
• present to the group

Friday

• wrap up notes and presentations 
• get syllabus signed off

c-tachs

Reading

• Analyze author’s stylistic choices regarding structure and development of the elements of a story, particularly theme 
• Interpret meaning of words and phrases in context and how the use shape meaning and tone 
  

Speaking and Listening

• Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions

documents

Sacred Text Syllabus
File Size:	40 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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B1C2 Vanishing Glass
File Size:	109 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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B1C3 Letters from No One
File Size:	103 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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Chapter Study Instructions
File Size:	53 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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