Did you ever have a teacher who was a werewolf? Have you heard about the prisoner who escaped from Azkaban – the wizard’s prison? Have you heard of the Dementors, the guards at the prison who take no mercy? Did you know Harry has a godfather who was his father’s best friend? Have you heard of Hogsmeade, the wizard’s village that has everything a magician could ever hope for? Do you know about the Firebolt, the most fantastic broomstick ever created? What about human beings who can transform into animals – like mice and bears?
After you read this novel, you will know all about these things……
Harry Potter, along with his best friends, Ron and Hermione, is about to start his third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry can’t wait to get back to school after the summer holidays. (Who wouldn’t if they lived with the horrible Dursley’s?) But when harry gets to Hogwarts, the atmosphere is tense. There’s an escaped mass murderer on the loose, and the sinister prison guards of Azkaban have been called in to guard the school …
1. How was Harry ‘unusual’? 2. What did Harry have to write an essay on? 3. Why did Harry never enjoy his summer holidays? 4. How does Uncle Vernon feel about wizards? How do we know this? (9) 5. What is the name of Harry’s owl? 6. What did Harry see when he looked out the window? (11) 7. How do you think Harry felt after reading Ron’s letter? 8. Do you think the Sneakoscope would be useful? Why? In today’s world, who would benefit from having one? 9. Why do you think Ron would not be happy about Percy being head boy? 10. What was the Nimbus 2000? 11. What surprised Harry about his parcel from Hagrid? 12. What was Hogsmeade?
Spelling – ominous, scuttling, permitted, entirely, dangerous, stealthily, rapid, parchment, prophet, delighted
Activity - Imagine you are Ron. Write about your adventures in Egypt and everything you saw. (remember - you are a wizard! you should have some interesting and magical things to tell us about!)
Chapter 2 – Aunt Marge’s Big Mistake
1. How would you describe Dudley? (18) 2. Does Harry like Aunt Marge? How do we know? 3. What bizzare story had Vernon told Marge about Harry? Why do you think he did this? 4. Why did Harry agree to go along with the story? 5. Draw a picture of Marge standing in the doorway carrying ‘Ripper’. 6. Why do you think Harry made Marge’s glass explode? 7. What happened to Marge on p 27? 8. Do you think Harry was right to leave? Why/Why not? What do you think Harry will do now?
Spelling – deserve, bellow, liar, expand, tweed, inflate, apoplectic, seized, curt, shard
Chapter 3 – The Knight Bus
1. What have we been told so far about the escaped prisoner on the loose? 2. How did Harry feel on p30? 3. What was unusual about the Knight Bus? 4. Who was Sirius Black? 5. What connection was there between Black and Lord Voldemort? 6. What type of a person do you think Black is? What gives you this impression? 7. What do you think ‘collywobbles’ are? 8. Why did Harry think he might have ended up in Azkaban? 9. Who was Harry surprised by when he got off the Knight Bus? 10. What was the Minister’s attitude about what Harry had done to his Aunt? 11. Why do you think the Minister did not want to punish Harry? 12. Who was waiting for Harry in room 11?
Spelling – permission, absent, punishment, restriction, climate, impatient, surveying, account, parlor, unfortunate
Activity - We all have interesting relatives that we do like and some that we don't like. Write about a relative of yours and a memorable experience you can think of that involved them.
Chapter 4 – The Leaky Cauldron
1. How did Harry feel about his freedom? 2. Why did Harry have to be careful with his money? 3. What became available at the Quidditch shop that Harry wanted? 4. What new subject was Harry taking this year? 5. Why do you think the big black dog looked ‘oddly familiar’? 6. Where did Harry meet Ron and Hermione? 7. Why do you think Hermione bought Crookshanks? 8. How would you describe Percy’s behavior? 9. What does Fred think of Percy and his attitude? 10. What are Ron’s parents talking about on p53/54? 11. How do you think Harry would have felt hearing this? 12. According to Mr Weasley, why would Sirius Black want to kill Harry? 13. Who had Percy’s badge? 14. Why do you think Harry ‘didn’t feel more scared’? 15. How did Harry feel about everyone trying to protect him?
Spelling – bedlam, divine, devoted, omen, gleaming, crescent, serious, earnest, menagerie, encrusted, refuge, content, solemn, pompous, scowl
Activity - What would your dream shop be? What does it sell? Draw a picture of it.
Novel Summary, Sample Chapter and Discussion Guide
Amazon.com site on novel
Barnes and Noble site on novel – including summary and reviews
Lots of Reviews of novel
Harry Potter Quizzes
My Study Guide for the first Harry Potter book - the Philosopher's Stone
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