Story and photos by Zion Perry ’29
J.K. Rowling’s mystical and imaginative Harry Potter series has captivated fans of various backgrounds since the book’s original 1997 release. With magical creatures, legendary battles, and the power of good versus evil, Harry Potter has carefully built a loving fanbase that thrives on the series‘ undeniable splendor! During MICDS Winter Term, seventh- and eighth-grade students dove further into their curiosity and admiration for the esteemed fandom in Muggles of Messing with Ms. Bethany Kavanaugh, Middle School Librarian, and, Ms. Andrea Ostlund, Middle School Library Assistant.
Ms. Kavanaugh happily explained her motivation behind developing this special lesson. „I was inspired to start this class because Harry Potter, while it is a much older series, came out when I was nine or 10 years old. It has greatly impacted kids throughout the years. Now we have this whole group of students who have just read the books for the first time, while some of them have only seen the movies or have very little exposure, and it’s my pleasure to introduce them to this experience! This is just a small snippet of fun activities related to the series to allow students to explore the world of Harry Potter and get comfortable expanding their thriving imaginations.“
„My favorite part of Muggles of Messing is having fun with the students and celebrating our joy of reading Harry Potter,“ shared Ms. Ostlund additionally. „And, of course, I like being able to steer away from the regular school day!“ Students engaged in recreational activities such as house ceremonies, the study of ancient runes, astrology research, and wand decorating. However, the fun refused to end there! Ms. Kavanaugh and Ms. Ostlund incorporated herbology, „potion“ making, intense dueling battles, and competitive „Quidditch“ bingo games into the lively library. Each activity led the MICDS Rams to step out of their comfort zones and into their blooming passion for creativity, competition, and literature.
Take a look at a few of their adventures below…
Comfortably drawing constellations in a library book nook, Ronit Sen ’30 shared his favorite part of Muggles of Messing with evident vigor. „I enjoyed delving into the Harry Potter books and learning about the complicated but interesting history,“ he said. „It was a great way to connect with my peers over a shared love of reading and exploration. My favorite part was finding how the constellations aligned on my birthday and tracing them!“
Cary Rowland ’29 also shared her impressive perspective. „I like that we get sorted into houses with people that are similar to us. I also love getting immersed in the Harry Potter world and doing fun activities!“
On the last day of Winter Term, Muggles of Messing students designed colorful quills, hand-wrote letters, and enjoyed watching Harry Potter: Goblet of Fire! In just one exciting week, Muggles of Messing proved to be a magical escape for students and a celebration of camaraderie. As Ms. Kavanaugh and Ms. Ostlund hoped, the program sparked curiosity and brought the wizarding world to life in new and engaging ways. Whether through exploring astrology, diving into herbology, or simply enjoying the thrill of Quidditch Bingo, students embraced the opportunity to step out of their everyday routines and into a world of wonder and discovery.
With activities as captivating as the pages of J.K. Rowling’s books, Muggles of Messing offered students a chance to blend fun and learning while celebrating their love of literature. This week-long adventure left them with not only newfound knowledge but also cherished memories and a deeper appreciation for the magic of storytelling.