Hogwarts 101

Super Saturday classes at Western has become one of Karson's favorite fall activities. She's been attending since she was in first grade. Matt and I are fortunate having a "gifted" child that is quite talented academically. In first grade, I was asked to attend a meeting at Plano for gifted children. I was basically told at the meeting that there is no funding for children like Karson and anything they can do outside of class/school to enrich their learning would be highly beneficial. That statement makes me sad for many reasons. One of them is that I can't understand why our state wouldn't want to put extra funding behind these (meaning MY) child who has SO much potential and could expand her thinking by LEAPs and BOUNDs by being challenged. But, fortunately, Matt and I can and will make financial sacrifices for her to attend the gifted studies programs at WKU and place her in camps (all per her request) to help her achieve all the academic goals she wishes to reach. Our Isaac is equally as smart but has NO desire to do Super Saturdays. Part of me wants to push him, but the other part says don't sweat it, there's time. And, honestly, he's 6 and still has A LOT of growing up to do.

Karson was one of the fortunate FEW at Plano that was able to get into Hogwarts 101 with Ms. Neesa Richardson. All I can say is WOW, this woman brought her 'A' game to class every week. The first day of class, the children used the sorting hat to determine which Howarts House they would belong to.

Waiting for the results....

Karson was selected for Ravenclaw along with another girl-

-I have no idea who she is or where she goes to school.

Karson was really wanting something that identified her with her house. I scored a scarf on Amazon and since we're PRIME members, had it in 2 days =). She wore it to class the second week. She also brought a Quidditch trophy I altered to make it look like something they might receive at a match.

Her friend Becca was the only other Plano student in the class. Becca and Karson played volleyball together this season. It's nice knowing a buddy in class.

The class concocted some kind of green potion on this day also. Karson was tickled by it. Me, not so much. My kids don't do well with anything like that. It usually ends up stuck in their hair, on their clothes, carpet, anywhere that it doesn't belong. Glad she had fun with it in class because it went straight into the garbage when we got home. I know, no FUN mom, but truly, that stuff was messier than ten tubs of Moon Sand.

On the third week, the kids got to play Quidditch. This was Karson's favorite day.

The kids grabbing at the seeker.

I didn't take MOST of these pictures. Her teacher provided each child with a powerpoint of the Hogwarts experience on the last day, HOW COOL! Karson always came home with a newletter or some project they worked on like wand making, broomsticks, potion (ick), etc. The class experience was worth WAY more than the cost of attending. We can't wait to take our kids to Universal Studios SOON so they can have the Harry Potter Experience. Thanks NEESA for a wonderful class!