The students of this school explore wizardry via Harry Potter books

The students of class VIII at Apeejay School, Noida participated in a Book Reader’s activity recently. The interesting and interactive session was held in the Senior Library, focusing on JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series. The session was a great milestone for young readers to indulge further in literature, learn new ideas, and appreciate the art of storytelling by JK Rowling.

Hetal, a class VIII student, aptly started the discussion with insights into Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the book that introduced readers in the wizardry world to Harry’s life-changing journey at Hogwarts. This led to lively and thoughtful discussion. Students subsequently looked into different themes and characters in Chamber of Secrets, asking important questions about the factors that made Harry Potter so popular. Discussions focused on mysterious magic spells, interesting plot twists, and some of the principal characters, like Dobby the house-elf, whose loyalty and courage impressed the participants.

According to Ms Renu Dang, the librarian, the book reading activity is part of the Readers Club initiative. “We at Apeejay School, Noida have initiated the Readers Club and moto of the club is: Read, read, and succeed. The club will be a platform to narrate, discuss, and reflect on what is read by the students. This activity will encourage critical thinking, help in building connections, improve reading habits, build empathy, and motivate others to read as well,” she said.

Diving Deeper into the World of Hogwarts

The children did not stop at plot recaps; they went deep into the heart of Hogwarts and its magical wonder. Discussions ran rampant about the famous house system – Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw – all stood for different virtues, leading to interesting discussions about belonging and identity.

The most dramatic inclusions were the games of Quidditch, which unfolded and captured the imagination of the students. It was not long before the young readers could understand the seriousness of the writer in world-building and the creation of a universe that demands and challenges people to think and expand their imagination.

Encouraging Diversity in Reading

The Guest Teacher, Ms Akanksha Babbar, commended the students for well-thought-through ideas and lively participation. She encouraged the kids to read beyond fantasy, mystery, adventure, and historical fiction, setting up some kind of literary foundation.

Overall, it was a magical experience as the Harry Potter book discussion celebrated love for the much-loved series and more than anything, underscored Apeejay’s commitment to fostering literary appreciation and all-rounded development in its students.

“By discussing and working through the book one can help each other to see all aspects of a scripture. It also help students with self-expression and inspire them to explore various genre. This is a forum for discussing different authors’ work and to connect, network, and converse about all facets of writing thereby motivating students to become authors themselves,” Ms Dang said in conclusion.