Hogwarts Week 1

Assistant Deputy Headmistress Professor Cong was so excited about the start of another year at Hogwarts, she ordered a new set of robes from Madame Malkin's! Professor Snape made sure to stock his stores of potions ingredients. They managed to get the owls off with invitations to new students just in time. Each student needed to arrive at Platform 9 3/4 at 10:25AM on Thursday with their invitation and wizarding attire in order to board the Hogwarts Express. Once arrived, they were welcomed into the candlelit Great Hall, where they were sorted into their Houses by the Sorting Hat. Cheers were heard as the First Year students added their names to the roster and took their seats. Students learned the rules and some Hogwarts traditions, such as the awarding of the House Cup and toured the grounds. We concluded with the singing of the Hogwarts School Song (Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy, Warty Hogwarts/ Teach us something please...). At the end of term, each student will have their work bound into a keepsake yearbook, and the cover will be in their House color.

On Friday, since the students were unable to make the trip to Diagon Alley in time, and since Mr. Ollivander did not have any wands available to sell, Hogwarts First Years were allowed to make their own wands. We procured wand bases (enchanted to look like paintbrushes so as to avoid muggle detection) and sculpted them using Model Magic. Once they are dry, we will be painting them. These wands will be serviceable for practice until students can get an Ollivander wand. Remember, swish and flick!

Book Cooks Week 1

Since we only had two days in Week 1, we kept it pretty basic. Students learned a little bit about food safety before we began. There are 3 important tips: 1) Wash your hands, 2) Hot and cold foods need to be eaten within 2 hours of being at room temperature, and 3) Keep your kitchen (preparation and cooking areas) clean.

On Thursday, both Breakfast and Afternoon Snack made their own butter. Each group got a jar of heavy cream and took turns shaking it until the butter separated from the buttermilk. They then drained the butter and ate it with strawberry or grape jelly. Breakfast ate theirs with a piece of cornbread, while Snack made sandwiches out of white or wheat bread. This recipe was inspired by an excerpt from Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder. In it, she tells how her mother would make butter; coloring it with grated carrots, washing the lump of butter, and then pushing it through a butter mold.

Friday was popcorn day! In both classes, we attempted to make popcorn using two different methods. First, we tried the Jiffy Pop. This is a store-bought pan filled with kernels which you shake over a heat source. We weren't very successful with Jiffy Pop, though 4th Period's (pictured) turned out really well. We also tried making popcorn the old-fashioned way (not in the microwave!). Using a pot and burner, we heated corn oil until a few test kernels popped. Then we added popping corn and put on the cover. After a lot of shaking, almost all of the classes enjoyed a full pot of popcorn (5th Period's just would NOT pop, we'll try again later). Students seasoned the popcorn with butter (leftover homemade butter from Thursday), popcorn salt, and/or sugar. Breakfast ate theirs by dropping individual kernels into milk. This was inspired by Laura Ingalls Wilder's book Farmer Boy. In it, young Almanzo Wilder wants a glass of milk for his popcorn because only popcorn and milk can be in the same place at once. Popcorn with milk is a lot like eating cereal. Afternoon Snack enjoyed reading The Popcorn Book by Tomie dePaola. The book tells about the history of popcorn in the Americas. There is a funny myth about a tiny demon who lives inside each kernel. When you heat the kernel, he gets so angry that he blows it up!

Photos Are UP!

Check out photos from all of our Book Cooks and Hogwarts classes in the flickr gallery! Click the link on the left to go there now.

It's Almost Time!

Just when you thought school was out for the summer...



That's right, it's almost time for SPEF Summer School!!! In just a few days, I'll be opening Room 8 to a world of fun and adventure.

At Hogwarts, preparations are being made for the Sorting Ceremony in the Great Hall. Be sure to look for Platform 9 3/4 and watch out for Muggles. First years, wizarding attire is required for entrance, caps will be provided at the door, robes are optional. Guests are permitted by invitation only, though photos (non-moving) will be made available.

In Book Cooks, we are whipping up some great recipes for both breakfast and afternoon snacks. We have chosen yummy dishes from well-known books, from which we will be reading. Be sure to bring an apron, chef's jacket, or old shirt as we may get carried away on our culinary adventure!

Check back weekly (or even daily) for updates on all the happenings in Room 8. I will be adding photos to the flickr gallery as soon as they are available. Questions? You can message me through this blog. My email will be made available to students and parents beginning Thursday. Otherwise, please address all inquiries to SPEF or Marengo School. I will make every effort to answer your questions in a timely manner.

Thanks for supporting South Pasadena schools!