Geology of the British Isles for Wizards
Lauren James
Star Educator
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(3,143)
This self-paced course covers the geology of the British Isles (England, Scotland, Ireland) as found in the Harry Potter books. This course is an excellent introduction to geology, the rock cycle, plate tectonics, volcanoes, and glaciers.
Class experience
US Grade 4 - 7
This four lesson course is packed with information about the geology of the British Isles, using locations from the Harry Potter books as a framework. How did they form? When did they form? Along the way, we'll learn basic geologic principles and terminology. See the course syllabus for more detailed information about what is covered in each lesson. This is a self-paced course, which means there is NO live component. Each lesson includes a video recording, plus extension activities to expand...
4 lessons//4 Weeks
Week 1Lesson 1Overview, Plate TectonicsIn this 16 minute recording, we'll discuss the major events that formed many of the mountains and valleys of the British Isles. This includes an overview of plate tectonics.Week 2Lesson 2Convergent BoundariesThis 26 minute recording includes: • Convergent boundaries and volcanic activity • Locations: Glen Nevis (Quidditch pitch) and Glen Coe (Hagrid's hut) • Metamorphic and Igneous rocks • Transform boundaries and the formation of Scottish lochs • Locations: Loch Shiel (Black Lake) and Loch Arkaig (Where Harry rides the Hippogriff)Week 3Lesson 3Deposition and SedimentationThis 21 minute recording includes: • Deposition and sedimentary rocks • Erosion and formation of sandstone • Cave formation (including the wizard bank) • Locations: The Cliffs of Moher (seen in the Half-Blood Prince), plus many buildings used for filming that are made of sedimentary rocks.Week 4Lesson 4Divergence and GlaciationThis 29 minute recording includes: • Divergent boundaries • Formation of limestone • Locations: the Seven Sisters cliffs (from Fantastic Beasts), buildings used for filming that are made of limestone. • Glaciation and valley formation, and the evidence of this glaciation that we see in the movies. • The formation of the English Channel
By the end of the course, students should be able to: • Explain basic plate tectonics • Identify several igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks • Describe the rock cycle. • Describe how different types of rocks are formed. • Explain what happens at convergent, divergent, and transform boundaries. • Describe the basic geologic history of the British Isles. • Name several wizard world film locations and their significance in geology. • Describe how glaciation contributed to the valleys found near the wizard school, as well as the formation of the English Channel.
I am a certified science teacher in the state of Arizona, with more than a decade of experience teaching children. My Bachelor of Science was in Earth and Space Science Education. My classes are offered in a lecture format, so your child can participate to his or her comfort level.
Some of the movies and books do contain violent or dark themes; before enrolling make sure that your child is comfortable with the darker themes and creatures in these stories, as they may come up in class.
Outschool is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc., owner of the Harry Potter® mark and related Harry Potter marks.
Star Educator
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(3,143)
💰 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐬 💰 I offer a "pay what you can afford" discount for all flex classes. After you enroll, send me a message from the section you signed up for. I can then apply a partial refund to match the amount you need; it can be any amount! 🎓...
Self-Paced Class
$5
weekly or $19 for all content4 pre-recorded lessons
4 weeks of teacher feedback
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content
Completed by 149 learners
Ages: 9-14
