Problematic Situation for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling

Purpose of the Strategy

This strategy allows the teacher to set up a difficult situation relating to the novel that students must solve, first on their own and then within a group. It allows the students to use their problem solving and decision making skills, see the text from another perspective, stimulate their interest in Harry's situation, and connect their own values and priorities to the novel.

Directions: Make enough copies of the situation on the following two pages to distribute to the entire class. Have each student read through the situation and rank the items that are the most important to him/her. Give them about five minutes to do this. Then put the students into groups of four and have them reevaluate the items and come to a consensus as to which items are the most important. This should probably take between 15 and 20 minutes. Remind them to think about the questions at the end of the handout and to be prepared to answer them during a class discussion. When they have finished deciding as a group, conduct a class discussion for about 15 minutes about their decisions alone and as a group.

Assessment

This situation allows you to assess student participation in group activities, thinking/reasoning skills, ability to negotiate decisions, and general ability to make choices based upon priorities and values. Besides directly corresponding to the novel, it generates classroom discussion about decision making, how others affect decisions, and gives students a chance to articulate their own beliefs and values.

Diana Anderson, Brigham Young University 2000