NEWT students: discussion

[alt_savitha]

So, my dears. I thought that first session of Salazar's Rules went rather well. I'd like each of you to think about your performance today, and the performance of your friends and classmates, and share an observation or two.

What could you have done better?
What could those around you have done better?
What mistakes did you see?

You may share your observations by journal, or by scroll if you must (turned into my office sometime before our next meeting on Friday).

Speaking of Friday -- sixth years, on Friday you'll have your first session with Salazar's Rules. I would encourage you to read what the seventh years have to say about their experience and LEARN from it.

Comments

[alt_ron]

What could I have done better? I mistimed my spell against you. If I'd got it off half a second earlier, you'd have still been paying more attention to Smith and Bones. Or if I'd been able to cut it short and wait for the next time one of the others made a move, but it was too late for that by the time I realised I'd missed my opening.

I don't think there were any tells before I cast, though. Or did you know before you asked Bones that question?


What could those around you have done better? Bulstrode should have waited until next lesson, probably. She was too anxious, and by the time she tried it, she was so wound up, she might as well have waved a red flag to warn everyone she was about to do something major. She expected to fail, too. Not a great way to launch an attack. That's why, when you'd parried it, she hadn't thought what to do next, she was just sulking about how it hadn't worked, just like she expected it wouldn't. So, she could have had a better plan for timing her spell, and she needed to have confidence in it or not bother casting, and she needed to know what she was going to do immediately after, and how she'd protect herself from there on.


What mistakes did you see? Li's wand work was shaky--maybe she was nervous--and Midgen just flat out had the wrong flourish at the end of her cast. Smith wanted us to think he was only half-trying, having a laugh about it, but really if you think you're not going to land a hit, you won't. Better to have waited. Goyle's technique was fine. Not good enough to catch you out, but his mistake was not thinking through what would happen afterwards: I mean, it was daft to jump in so early. Maybe he was aiming for the element of surprise, but he paid a high price for that bit of boldness, didn't he? I mean, we had nearly an hour to take it out on him.

Private message to Ron Weasley

[alt_savitha]

Excellent answers, Mr Weasley.

Regarding tells, it will be easier to explain in person; please drop by my office during my office hours and we'll go over it.

You may notice below I instructed your housemate Longbottom to seek you out for a bit of extra practice. If that will be a problem for either of you, please do let me know.

Re: Private message to Ron Weasley

[alt_ron]

Thank you, Professor. I'll come see you.

I'll see Neville's ready for next week. You can count on it.