Substitute Professor Valson
June 01, 2014 4:07 PM
Advanced class - Take a Bow! by Substitute Professor Valson
Of all the classes that Jera might conceivably have to cover, the two with which she felt most at home were Transfiguration, the subject in which she had most excelled during her own days at Sonora, and Care of Magical Creatures. While the latter was half the focus of her college and post-graduate studies, she had, ironically, not taken this subject for her RATS. Therefore she’d had to remind herself of the syllabus at the start of term, and then all over again after midterm, once she’d spent several weeks forgetting it all in the school’s holding area. Then the first session back after midterm had largely been spent ascertaining which topics the students had attempted to cover by themselves in the staff’s absence. It was so chaotic that Jera felt a little unbalanced by the lack of routine. However, by their third lesson into the second half of the academic year, things were starting to feel a little more normal; at least there was the constant that Professor Valson would be taking all the classes until a new professor was found.“Okay, gather around,” she called to the sixth and seventh year students who had come to the clearing in the school’s grounds where classes were most often held. Her instruction was more or less unwarranted, as it seemed to her as though the students had already gathered around the pen containing an adolescent hippogriff, but the sound of her voice would hopefully draw their attention. “This is Timothy,” she introduced her students as she tossed a small dead lizard towards the magnificent creature in their company. He had wonderful gold and russet plumage with chestnut flanks. “He belongs to a friend of mine,” she elaborated. “I hope you have been able to identify him as a hippogriff.” If they hadn’t yet made that connection then they really ought not to be taking advanced classes in the subject.
The chill in the late January air was lessened by a warming sun, making it a very pleasant day to be outside. Jera found it easy to chat quite informally with the students about the creatures, trying to encourage suggestions and participation from the class before rounding up with a conclusion of what she considered to be the main features of the lesson.
“Unfortunately,” she then offered an apology to her class, “Timothy hasn’t yet reached maturity, so a whole class of students trying to come and stroke him is going to be far too stressful. Instead, I’m going to demonstrate how you bow, and the at the end of the class, the person who has made most progress on the assignments will also get to have a try.” Hopefully that would offer an incentive to work, not result in the opposite effect; Jera didn’t think any of the students would be so timid that being close to a hippogriff would act as a deterrent, but she couldn’t be sure. Regardless, she gently entered Timothy’s pen and demonstrated a gracious bow before receiving the gesture in turn, and gently stroking the feathers on the hippogriff’s neck.
Retreating once more, Jera gave the class their assignment. “Okay, so you should make a sketch of the hippogriff, labelling what you think are its most important features. This could be distinguishing anatomy, defense mechanisms, or anything else you think should be detailed. You must also write an essay focused on the danger classification of a hippogriff, and explain whether or not you think this classification is apt, and reasons for your argument. If anyone has any questions please feel free to ask. There is a lot of information in your set textbook, but you will need to find further resources in the library to complete this assignment for homework, due this time next week.”
(OOC: Please remember site rules when posting. Feel free to be creative, and be assured that some writing of Timothy – his movements, etc. – is allowed. If you need the help IC, Tag Professor Valson in the subject line. If you have OOC queries, put them on the OOC board. Have fun!)
Subthreads: Does anyone else take this class? by Jade Owen
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Substitute Professor Valson
Advanced class - Take a Bow!
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Substitute Professor Valson
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Jade Owen
June 15, 2014 2:43 AM
Does anyone else take this class? by Jade Owen
Attending lessons again that were being run by actual professors rather than self-elected peers was actually a relief to Jade. Yes, she had always had issues with authority figures, and she had, on many previous occasions, struggled to see why she should do what a professor instructed her to simply because of the title he or she possessed. Yet at least a professor had an age (and hopefully experience) advantage, and had the title bestowed upon them for reasons of competence, whereas her own classmates had volunteered to teach, coach, tutor or else simply supervise, with no qualifications or recommendations, and so Jade had found it difficult to indulge in any sort of subservience towards them. Professor Valson was young, and not even a real professor, but at least she did know what she was talking about when it came to this class. This, coupled with the fresh air and the small class group (unlike charms, for example, which was always crowded), allowed Jade some sense of satisfaction as she headed to class.When she arrived at the designated clearing, she was pleasantly surprised to discover that her mood would improve further upon seeing the creature enclosed there. Horses and cats were her favourites, of course - she doubted that was any sort of secret - but she could appreciate most creatures for their individual magnificence. A hippogriff had the advantage of being part horse, anyway, so it was off to a good start.
Hopeful about the class today, Jade dropped her bag unceremoniously onto the ground and casually lingered near the paddock as she waited for the class to begin. She was rarely tempted to do her best in class (putting in a lot of effort wasn't really her thing, except in cases of Quidditch), but the opportunity to go and pet Timothy might draw forth some extra oomph. There was the potential, anyway, although she appreciated that would be playing right into Professor Valson's hands, and Jade hated doing that. Still, she retrieved her textbook from her bag, and a sketch book and some parchment, and writing materials, and settled herself on a patch of grass.
"They're bigger than I imagined them to be," Jade commented idly, not caring who - if anyone - would reply.
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Jade Owen
Does anyone else take this class?
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Jade Owen
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