Unit Rationale for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling

Ever since Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling was first published in 1997 the United States and most of the world has had Harry Potter mania. At this time there are three sequels to this first novel with plans for three more, making it a series of seven books total. The fourth book of this series was released during the summer of 2000 and was the largest first printing of a novel of all time. People of all ages line up for hours in the middle of the night to be one of the first to own the next Harry Potter book. It has been said that the Harry Potter books are this generation's Star Wars. After reading this first novel about a year ago I understood what all the fuss was about. These novels truly are fantastic. They have a universal appeal for audiences of all ages. This is part of what makes them appealing as a unit of study.

While some may scoff at or be opposed to the idea of studying Harry Potter books, I believe that these novels can reach certain students in a way that many books cannot. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is a good book to start with because it is the first in the series.

This novel is especially appropriate for junior high aged students. This particular unit plan was developed for seventh or eighth graders, but many of the strategies and activities could be altered to fit almost any grade level from sixth to twelfth. In the younger grades the novel could be studied on its own, but for high school students it could be used as a way to introduce a larger unit on mythology, folklore, legends, or superstitions. This first novel has themes of study that range from the classic hero journey to standing up for what is right. The list of themes found on the following page present a complex topic of study for the novel. In addition to the themes of study, there are numerous literary concepts and devices used throughout the novel that also present good teaching opportunities. Students can learn about and practice using literary devices such as suspense, plot, and characterization.

Studying Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone accomplishes the goals and guidelines set by the USOE. First of all, this unit of study activates and builds upon students' prior knowledge. While studying this novel and completing this unit students will develop the cueing systems of reading, listening, writing, viewing, speaking, and presenting. They will read to learn, for enjoyment, and to get information for decision making (to become aware of their ideas, beliefs, and thinking and reasoning processes). Students will also be able to make connections from the text to their own lives, the world around them, history, and other texts. This unit builds their vocabulary and helps to strengthen their comprehension. The last reason this is a good book to study, and possibly one of the most important, is that it is a fun novel.

The Harry Potter books are popular right now and will probably stay popular for years. Students who refuse to read or hate to read will actually read these books. I believe, and I think that most teachers will agree, that getting students to read is important, even if it isn't a novel that adults have labeled as a "classic." If students can learn to enjoy reading and want to do it, then eventually they will read the classics and the things that most adults and parents want them to read. But until they reach that stage, we as educators need to do whatever we can to help them learn to like reading, even if that means studying a novel that is popular and fun, but that has honest literary merit, like the Harry Potter novels.

I hope that teachers and parents will not discredit this book because it is not yet considered a serious literary work. There are many, many things that can be learned from studying this novel, and hopefully the students and the teacher will have some fun while doing it.

Diana Anderson, Brigham Young University 2000