Hello fellow Hogwartsians! We've been receiving comments & emails, telling of all the things you're up to, & we're thrilled that so many people are having such fabulous homeschool experiences.
One of the greatest witches of our age - Martha Stewart - posted a wonderful craft that we just had to share with you.
Paper Dragon
If you're studying China, this will fit in perfectly! If not, don't be disappointed, you can still use the craft for Dragon Studies, or COMC.
Add an Owl from the appropriate Professor, a bit of history of the holiday from the library, or internet, & you're good to go. Those of you who own the Dragonology book, don't forget to have your students read about the Asian Lung.
~Kat
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Returning From the Holiday Break
Welcome back! We trust you had a most magical holiday break. As much as we love to extend the merry-making, it's time to get back to work.
This month our theme is "China"! With such a long, rich history, China lends itself to Hogwarts with little Potterfication.
Some of the things we'll be studying this month:
Transfig: Paper lanterns
Dragon Study: Asian Lung
Divination: Reading tea leaves
Muggle Studies: A trip to Chinatown.
Special lesson from Dumbledore: the Phoenix
***
Chinese New Year (the year of the ox) falls on the 26th of January this year. If you're lucky enough to have a Chinatown near you, find out when they're having their parade, & add that to your calendar. Loud parades not your thing? Don't be sad at missing out, because the celebrations generally last for days - there is sure to be something for your family.
***
Websites: Chinese New Year, Dragon Study
Books: Happy, Happy Chinese New Year!
, The Boy Who Painted Dragons
, Made in China: Ideas and Inventions from Ancient China
, You Wouldn't Want to Work on the Great Wall of China!
If you follow any of the book links, then scroll down to see Amazon's suggestions, you'll find loads of books on the same topic. We cannot tell you how many amazing books we've stumbled upon this way.
***
As soon as lessons get completed, we'll have them up for you to use. In the meantime, see what you can come up with on your own. Are your students teeny? If so, focus on Chinese crafts & food. Older kids will enjoy both of those, but will get so much out of all China's history has to offer. Definitely look into all the inventions that hail from China! Perhaps the head of a Chinese Wizarding school could send some lessons? A cultural exchange project?
Have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!
~Kat.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Potterfying the Holidays
We here at HH are insanely busy. So much so that if we had time to make cocktails, we'd start drinking now, & not stop until 2009. If that feeling is remotely familiar to you, we advise you do yourself a favor, & begin Potterfying your holiday activities. Still sound like too much work? Do what we did: have the kids dress in their uniforms, & go on a field trip.
A few weeks ago they had a COMC field trip to a miniatures shop. Our kids are mad for The Borrowers, & each keeps his/her own dollhouse for the illusive little people. This trip was not only to see what amazing miniatures there were out there, but to give them ideas for what they themselves can make.
Being so close to the holidays, we HHMamas took turns sneakily purchasing tiny treasures for them. Um... them the kids, not them the borrowers.
Think of all the things to be learned via the world of miniatures. There is scale, architecture, history, furniture styles, & if you are lucky enough to work on a posh dollhouse you can learn how to wire it! Our kids are not so lucky.
***
So what is going on near you? Where would you usually be going this time of year, or where have you always wanted to take the kids? First make a list of where you want to go, then sit down with your calendar, & choose your dates. That really is the hard part. Potterfying is easy once you get started; & like I said at the beginning of this post; if you are too overwhelmed with holiday spirit just put them in their uniforms, & head out the door.
***
Tip: If you have a Waldorf school near you, go to their winter faire. They usually focus on a magical winter; faeries, elves, gnomes; rather than a religious holiday. (If you live in Los Angeles, you can meet the HHMamas at Ocean Charter's Winter Faire: December 13th 12606 Culver Blvd., Mar Vista. We'll be in the Dragonfly Artisans booth.)
~Kat
A few weeks ago they had a COMC field trip to a miniatures shop. Our kids are mad for The Borrowers, & each keeps his/her own dollhouse for the illusive little people. This trip was not only to see what amazing miniatures there were out there, but to give them ideas for what they themselves can make.
Being so close to the holidays, we HHMamas took turns sneakily purchasing tiny treasures for them. Um... them the kids, not them the borrowers.
Think of all the things to be learned via the world of miniatures. There is scale, architecture, history, furniture styles, & if you are lucky enough to work on a posh dollhouse you can learn how to wire it! Our kids are not so lucky.
***
So what is going on near you? Where would you usually be going this time of year, or where have you always wanted to take the kids? First make a list of where you want to go, then sit down with your calendar, & choose your dates. That really is the hard part. Potterfying is easy once you get started; & like I said at the beginning of this post; if you are too overwhelmed with holiday spirit just put them in their uniforms, & head out the door.
***
Tip: If you have a Waldorf school near you, go to their winter faire. They usually focus on a magical winter; faeries, elves, gnomes; rather than a religious holiday. (If you live in Los Angeles, you can meet the HHMamas at Ocean Charter's Winter Faire: December 13th 12606 Culver Blvd., Mar Vista. We'll be in the Dragonfly Artisans booth.)
~Kat
It's snowing!
Oh my fellow HHers, you have no idea how sorry we are that we've not been able to get stacks of new lessons uploaded for you. I wish we could blame Peeves, but alas we have only life to blame. I shall spare you the boring details.
I think we have things under control over here, & to prove we've not abandoned you to the Muggles, you can now find the long promised snowflake lesson in the classrooms.
Please note: You can use string, or even embroidery floss in this lesson - we use fishing line, because it's clear.
Happy snowflaking!!
~Kat
I think we have things under control over here, & to prove we've not abandoned you to the Muggles, you can now find the long promised snowflake lesson in the classrooms.
- photo :: property of kats in the belfry
Please note: You can use string, or even embroidery floss in this lesson - we use fishing line, because it's clear.
Happy snowflaking!!
~Kat
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Early Holiday Planning Meeting
We met last night for a planning meeting. This summer we set things up for the year, with December being the exception. Last year we learned; the hard way; that there is just too much going on that month. Sticking with our idea to have our classes mesh with the month's theme, all December activities & classes are to be geared to the holidays.
I know we've only just begun November, but we HHMamas have to plan it all now. The three of us belong to an artisan co-op, & need to use all our free time (haha did i say 'free time'?) getting ready for a December show.
So what did we plan? For the in-uniform classes they shall make ornaments out of applesauce/cinnamon dough (to give away at a party later in the month,) & they'll build gingerbread houses. The instructions for both these activities will be posted closer to December.
The home-study class is to be a snowflake Potions lesson. We did this last year, & it was too amazing not to do again. The PDF for this will also be posted later. We'll make sure to get it to you before December, so you'll have plenty of time to ready your lessons.
One thing we'll be doing this December, is something Pia came up with last year. Instead of treats for her advent calendar, she had an activity listed for each day. I tried it as well, & not only was it great fun, it didn't add to the gift-frenzy of the holiday season. Her countdown is to Christmas, & mine to the Winter Solstice, but yours can be to whatever you'd like: Christmas, Solstice, Hanukkah, New Year, etc.
We did do many activities together last December, but this year we're having them mesh with HH whenever possible. When it's not, the kids can do them with their own families, but still have the excitement of knowing the others are doing the same. We are lucky with our HH in that our kids are the best of friends. I think that makes all of this so much more special to them.
Some other things easily Potterfied are: making clove-studded oranges, baking treats, decorating winter houses for the faeries, making soap, rolling beeswax candles for your menorah, or even writing a letter to Santa. As usual, your only limit is your imagination. If you have an activity, or field trip you want to do, but just cannot think of how to Potterfy it, you are always welcome to e-owl us for help.
Make it easy on yourself this holiday season, & incorporate what you'll already be doing into HH. Nothing ruins the holidays like a mama who is too busy to enjoy it herself. If your students are small, don't forget that visiting Santa Claus is very HH - according to my son, he's an even more powerful wizard than Dumbledore :-)
***
We'll be resuming classes this week, so will be able to get back to regular HH lessons & information. Thanks for being so patient!
~Kat.
** Edited to add :: Christmastime is important in the world of Harry Potter. To get into the spirit; or for ideas more closely linked to the story; check out the chapters that take place during Christmas. **
I know we've only just begun November, but we HHMamas have to plan it all now. The three of us belong to an artisan co-op, & need to use all our free time (haha did i say 'free time'?) getting ready for a December show.
So what did we plan? For the in-uniform classes they shall make ornaments out of applesauce/cinnamon dough (to give away at a party later in the month,) & they'll build gingerbread houses. The instructions for both these activities will be posted closer to December.
The home-study class is to be a snowflake Potions lesson. We did this last year, & it was too amazing not to do again. The PDF for this will also be posted later. We'll make sure to get it to you before December, so you'll have plenty of time to ready your lessons.
One thing we'll be doing this December, is something Pia came up with last year. Instead of treats for her advent calendar, she had an activity listed for each day. I tried it as well, & not only was it great fun, it didn't add to the gift-frenzy of the holiday season. Her countdown is to Christmas, & mine to the Winter Solstice, but yours can be to whatever you'd like: Christmas, Solstice, Hanukkah, New Year, etc.
We did do many activities together last December, but this year we're having them mesh with HH whenever possible. When it's not, the kids can do them with their own families, but still have the excitement of knowing the others are doing the same. We are lucky with our HH in that our kids are the best of friends. I think that makes all of this so much more special to them.
Some other things easily Potterfied are: making clove-studded oranges, baking treats, decorating winter houses for the faeries, making soap, rolling beeswax candles for your menorah, or even writing a letter to Santa. As usual, your only limit is your imagination. If you have an activity, or field trip you want to do, but just cannot think of how to Potterfy it, you are always welcome to e-owl us for help.
Make it easy on yourself this holiday season, & incorporate what you'll already be doing into HH. Nothing ruins the holidays like a mama who is too busy to enjoy it herself. If your students are small, don't forget that visiting Santa Claus is very HH - according to my son, he's an even more powerful wizard than Dumbledore :-)
***
We'll be resuming classes this week, so will be able to get back to regular HH lessons & information. Thanks for being so patient!
~Kat.
** Edited to add :: Christmastime is important in the world of Harry Potter. To get into the spirit; or for ideas more closely linked to the story; check out the chapters that take place during Christmas. **
Thursday, October 23, 2008
October Happenings
[caption id="attachment_175" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Photo :: Property of HH"]
[/caption]
October has been a dreadful month for HH. One of our families is on their second round of Pertussis, which has brought all classes to a halt. Not to worry about the family though; they are all on the upside of the pestilence.
We've still been able to do our at-home activities at least. The kids were sent Owls, asking that they read about dragons & jewels in The Dragonology Handbook
. They were each sent a few jewels to bury in their yard (or at the campsite for one student) after. My son & I took it a bit farther, & researched the gems mentioned in the Handbook. He took it farther still, & went rummaging in my jewelry cabinet, to see if i had anything we'd read about (I don't.) This could be followed up by a visit to the Gem Room, at the Natural History Museum, or even a jewelry shop. Personally, I would look for an antique shop that has a lot of jewelry before a modern jewelry shop; because the old, ornate pieces could better inspire the kids to make up stories about dragons of long ago.
Our next at-home lesson is to be Crystal Wands. Click on that hotlink, & it shall take you to the PDF for it. The White Crystal, granulated asked for is regular sugar, & Gillywater is what we call tap water in any lesson requiring it. Print the Owl as-is, or alter it to suit your style. We suggest whatever font you use for Potions Owls & Lessons. If you like to live on the edge, you can add a drop of food coloring to the mixture. The other HHMamas are wild like this, but I prefer stainless Potions.
Here are some other lessons & activities you could do in October:
Dia de los Muertos: (History of Magic) learn the history of Catholicism in Mexico, (Potions) make Mexican food or sugar skulls, (Muggle Studies) attend a festival.
Hallowe'en: (Herbology) carve pumpkins & roast the seeds, (History of Magic) read about Hallowe'ens origins, study ancient Ireland, research why we now wear costumes & make your own. Don't forget to have a safe, & happy Hallowe'en!
Hopefully all HHFamilies will be well soon, & things will be back to normal here at HH for November classes. What have all of you been doing this month? We'd love to hear from you.
~Kat
[/caption]October has been a dreadful month for HH. One of our families is on their second round of Pertussis, which has brought all classes to a halt. Not to worry about the family though; they are all on the upside of the pestilence.
We've still been able to do our at-home activities at least. The kids were sent Owls, asking that they read about dragons & jewels in The Dragonology Handbook
. They were each sent a few jewels to bury in their yard (or at the campsite for one student) after. My son & I took it a bit farther, & researched the gems mentioned in the Handbook. He took it farther still, & went rummaging in my jewelry cabinet, to see if i had anything we'd read about (I don't.) This could be followed up by a visit to the Gem Room, at the Natural History Museum, or even a jewelry shop. Personally, I would look for an antique shop that has a lot of jewelry before a modern jewelry shop; because the old, ornate pieces could better inspire the kids to make up stories about dragons of long ago.Our next at-home lesson is to be Crystal Wands. Click on that hotlink, & it shall take you to the PDF for it. The White Crystal, granulated asked for is regular sugar, & Gillywater is what we call tap water in any lesson requiring it. Print the Owl as-is, or alter it to suit your style. We suggest whatever font you use for Potions Owls & Lessons. If you like to live on the edge, you can add a drop of food coloring to the mixture. The other HHMamas are wild like this, but I prefer stainless Potions.
Here are some other lessons & activities you could do in October:
Dia de los Muertos: (History of Magic) learn the history of Catholicism in Mexico, (Potions) make Mexican food or sugar skulls, (Muggle Studies) attend a festival.
Hallowe'en: (Herbology) carve pumpkins & roast the seeds, (History of Magic) read about Hallowe'ens origins, study ancient Ireland, research why we now wear costumes & make your own. Don't forget to have a safe, & happy Hallowe'en!
Hopefully all HHFamilies will be well soon, & things will be back to normal here at HH for November classes. What have all of you been doing this month? We'd love to hear from you.
~Kat
Sunday, October 5, 2008
We're still here!
I'm sorry for the lack of posting recently. We here at HH are scrambling like mad women to play catch-up. It would seem a week of field trips, followed by a week of camping may not have been one of our more brilliant ideas. We three are in desperate need of House Elves, & quite possibly a Time Turner.
As behind as we find ourselves, all must declare Pirate Month a glorious success! The kids had a great time, learned geography, history, went through an entire book of pirate Mad Libs, & much more. Professor Lupin was pleased to learn they saw Pirate Wizards hiding at Disneyland, the LA County Fair, & even camping!
That last one was the most fun: on an early morning walk, I (Kat) discovered a tall ship anchored just off the coast - no seriously! Later I told the kids about it, & casually wondered aloud if it could have been a small pirate ship. That was all they needed to get their imagination going. By the time we headed back to the beach, they had convinced themselves they were about to come upon actual pirates! As we got closer, my son suggested we shimmy up the sand dune on our bellies; lest we be spotted from the crow's nest. We dropped to the ground, & shimmied like any good pirate-hunter should. After spying on the 'pirates', & discussing whether they were looking for buried treasure or the poor soul they'd just made walk the plank, we went back to our camp. A truly successful piratey mission.
The wrap-up to Pirate Month had nothing to do with us. Two of the kids heard of modern-day pirates on the news! It was nice of the news to help out.
***
Our official start of term kicks off with a month devoted to studying the beginnings of Hallowe'en, & how it evolved through history. We had to postpone our first class this past week, because one of the kids was quite sick. Shan said that Madame Pomfrey had looked the child over, & assured she'd be well in no time. Once we are able to meet for a lesson, we'll let you know how it went. Until then, we would absolutely LOVE to hear how your HH is going.
~Kat.
As behind as we find ourselves, all must declare Pirate Month a glorious success! The kids had a great time, learned geography, history, went through an entire book of pirate Mad Libs, & much more. Professor Lupin was pleased to learn they saw Pirate Wizards hiding at Disneyland, the LA County Fair, & even camping!
That last one was the most fun: on an early morning walk, I (Kat) discovered a tall ship anchored just off the coast - no seriously! Later I told the kids about it, & casually wondered aloud if it could have been a small pirate ship. That was all they needed to get their imagination going. By the time we headed back to the beach, they had convinced themselves they were about to come upon actual pirates! As we got closer, my son suggested we shimmy up the sand dune on our bellies; lest we be spotted from the crow's nest. We dropped to the ground, & shimmied like any good pirate-hunter should. After spying on the 'pirates', & discussing whether they were looking for buried treasure or the poor soul they'd just made walk the plank, we went back to our camp. A truly successful piratey mission.
The wrap-up to Pirate Month had nothing to do with us. Two of the kids heard of modern-day pirates on the news! It was nice of the news to help out.
***
Our official start of term kicks off with a month devoted to studying the beginnings of Hallowe'en, & how it evolved through history. We had to postpone our first class this past week, because one of the kids was quite sick. Shan said that Madame Pomfrey had looked the child over, & assured she'd be well in no time. Once we are able to meet for a lesson, we'll let you know how it went. Until then, we would absolutely LOVE to hear how your HH is going.
~Kat.
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