Harry Potter-mania gives joy to Little Aggies at USU bookstore on Saturday
Harry Potter wands and glasses were assembled by the creative power of potential Aggies, Saturday at the Utah State University Bookstore.
The Little Aggie Activities theme for this month was “Harry Potter Hysteria.” And the children were busy using their imagination to experience the magic of Harry Potter.
When the activities started they split up into four groups, to work on different projects.
Stefani Carroll, a junior majoring in elementary education, volunteered with the wand project.
“We had a bunch of paper, glitter and strings,” she said. “Then I had to make one so the kids had an example on how to make one.”
Carroll said once the kids saw the wand they were able to make their own. Some children didn’t even need to see the example to put theirs together, she said.
“It never ceases to amaze me how creative they can be,” Carroll said.
The children had Carroll or a parent help them paste glue to the wood stick so they could sprinkle glitter on after. Then the children would use colored paper and markers to shape the end of their wand. Some children even used yarn to decorate their wand.
Zoyee Thomas, a 4-year-old participant, said making the wand was fun.
“We decorated it,” she said. “I used glue, string and a star and a lot of glitter, too.”
Heather Thomas, employee of Enhanced Learning, said it was her first time going to the activity. She saw the flier for the activity at work and brought her daughter, Zoyee.
“It’s an educational experience for kids,” Heather said. “It’s a good Saturday morning activity.”
Zoyee said she liked everything about this month’s theme, especially the stories.
“The first [story] was about a snowman,” she said. “Then the second was about parents having fun.”
Zoyee said she heard a story about a girl kissing a cow.
“The girl’s mom wanted her to kiss it and she’s [still] fine,” she said.
Megan Dabell, a sophomore majoring in early education, said this month was just as fun as the past two months she volunteered for. This month she read to the children.
“I like to read the stories as much as I like to hear them,” she said.
Lindsay Reed, a sophomore majoring in special education, said she volunteered this month after Dabell informed her about it. Reed also helped by reading to the children.
“It’s fun to read and get involved,” she said. “I never get to be with kids around campus, it’s great to have this experience.”
Trivia about Harry Potter was another activity the children participated in. Zoyee said she had a plastic bag with gummy bears, Pixie Sticks and jelly beans. With that bag the children had the chance to answer Harry Potter questions.
Rachelle Holmes, an undeclared freshman and person in charge of the activities, said when the children were asked questions about Harry Potter they would also talk about the candy. They would “make up different flavors” of the jelly beans, she said.
It wouldn’t be a true Harry Potter activity without Harry’s glasses.
Another table had pipe cleaner with a variety of colors to choose from. The small fuzzy pipe cleaners were soon to be fashionable spectacles.
KaeDee Jewkes, a volunteer and a freshman majoring in elementary education and special education, helped make the glasses for the activity. She even sported her multicolored version of Harry’s glasses.
“I had to wear glasses or they wouldn’t [make their own],” she said.
The children could choose two colors of pipe cleaner that they wanted their frames to be, she said. Then they would shape and twist the pipe cleaner together to create Harry Potter glasses.
Heather said even though this was her first time, she plans to attend again with Zoyee.
“It helps expand the brain power and imagination for kids,” she said.
Little Aggies Activities are usually held the third Saturday of each month. For more information contact the USU Bookstore or e-mail Rachelle Holmes at rachelleruth@cc.usu.edu to join the mailing list.
-srkrebs@cc.usu.edu
KaDee Jewkes helps Zoyee Thomas put on her Harry Potter glasses. This month´s Little Aggie Activity had a Harry Potter theme. (Photo by Jamie Crane)