RP: Transfiguration Challenge
Date: 14 December 1998
Characters: Minerva McGonagall, NEWT Prep Transfig Students
Location: Hogwarts
Status: Public
Summary: The last Transfiguration class for the NEWT Prep students before the holidays.
Completion: Closed
Minerva swept into the NEWT Prep classroom at precisely 8 o'clock and began without preamble. "Those of you who are still struggling with any of the coursework we have done so far, will be working with me in here today."
"Those of you who feel confident that you can properly perform the transfigurations needed for your N.E.W.T.s, have a choice. You may stay in here and practice, or if you prefer, I have set you a challenge. In your common room, you have probably noticed that there is a tree, but that it lacks ornaments. Being delivered to the room now, is an assortment of materials, primarily small stones and similar items you've worked with before. There are also a number of samples of ornaments created by some of the professors, including myself, and a few of the sixth and seventh years, that show ingenuity, creativity, and talent in Transfiguration or Transfiguration in combination with Charms."
She smiled. "I thought you might enjoy testing your own abilities in producing creative decorations as a way to practice your attention to detail and hone your skills rather than duplicating what's been done in class." Minerva glanced about. "This is not an idle assignment, despite the atmosphere of fun attached to it. I have been stressing the importance of your attention to detail since classes began. Anyone who thinks they can earn an Outstanding N.E.W.T. without fully functional and detailed transfigurations is mistaken. The Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests are extraordinarily difficult. You will need both a firm grasp on the theory as well as the ability to perform in the practical if you are to have any hope of receiving anything better than an Acceptable. There are additional points to be gained for non-verbal magic. Please continue to try to work your spells non-verbally if you can."
"The good news is that you are all diligent students and I believe that every one of you, with practice and serious revision of the course materials and readings you've been provided, are capable of earning an Acceptable. About half of you could, with extra effort, manage an Exceeds Expectations. An Outstanding is not even out of the realm of possibility for some of you despite the difficult level."
"There is more good news in that we have now covered everything that will be on the test. I pushed you all and you've responded well. Today should be used to practice and obtain guidance in the areas where you believe you lack proficiency. When you return from the holidays, the first of the final three classes will be devoted to a test similar to the one you were given in your first class. At that point, I will give you an honest estimation of what your N.E.W.T. score is likely to be based on your written and practice. I will also score the individual areas so that you will know where to focus your revision and practice during our final two classes." Minerva looked at them all. "You have less than sixteen hours of class time left between now and the exams. We will make the most of them with practice, practice, practice. Anyone who feels they are lagging behind and wishes to arrange tutoring in Transfiguration over the holidays, should speak to me after class today."
"Finally, before we get started, I know that a number of you are still undecided about what you might like to do after your N.E.W.T.s. Please consider arranging interviews with your former Head of House, or myself, if you feel you might benefit from career counseling over the holidays." Minerva removed her wand from her pocket. "Now then, those of you practicing by creating ornaments are excused to the common room. The elves will be in with biscuits, juice and cocoa at our usual break time. Those of us in here will join you for break and you may ask me questions regarding any of the samples you do not understand at that time. Use each other as resources first." She raised an eyebrow and looked at each of them. "Those of you remaining here, please begin at whichever station around the room is appropriate. You may all move and begin."
Characters: Minerva McGonagall, NEWT Prep Transfig Students
Location: Hogwarts
Status: Public
Summary: The last Transfiguration class for the NEWT Prep students before the holidays.
Completion: Closed
Minerva swept into the NEWT Prep classroom at precisely 8 o'clock and began without preamble. "Those of you who are still struggling with any of the coursework we have done so far, will be working with me in here today."
"Those of you who feel confident that you can properly perform the transfigurations needed for your N.E.W.T.s, have a choice. You may stay in here and practice, or if you prefer, I have set you a challenge. In your common room, you have probably noticed that there is a tree, but that it lacks ornaments. Being delivered to the room now, is an assortment of materials, primarily small stones and similar items you've worked with before. There are also a number of samples of ornaments created by some of the professors, including myself, and a few of the sixth and seventh years, that show ingenuity, creativity, and talent in Transfiguration or Transfiguration in combination with Charms."
She smiled. "I thought you might enjoy testing your own abilities in producing creative decorations as a way to practice your attention to detail and hone your skills rather than duplicating what's been done in class." Minerva glanced about. "This is not an idle assignment, despite the atmosphere of fun attached to it. I have been stressing the importance of your attention to detail since classes began. Anyone who thinks they can earn an Outstanding N.E.W.T. without fully functional and detailed transfigurations is mistaken. The Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests are extraordinarily difficult. You will need both a firm grasp on the theory as well as the ability to perform in the practical if you are to have any hope of receiving anything better than an Acceptable. There are additional points to be gained for non-verbal magic. Please continue to try to work your spells non-verbally if you can."
"The good news is that you are all diligent students and I believe that every one of you, with practice and serious revision of the course materials and readings you've been provided, are capable of earning an Acceptable. About half of you could, with extra effort, manage an Exceeds Expectations. An Outstanding is not even out of the realm of possibility for some of you despite the difficult level."
"There is more good news in that we have now covered everything that will be on the test. I pushed you all and you've responded well. Today should be used to practice and obtain guidance in the areas where you believe you lack proficiency. When you return from the holidays, the first of the final three classes will be devoted to a test similar to the one you were given in your first class. At that point, I will give you an honest estimation of what your N.E.W.T. score is likely to be based on your written and practice. I will also score the individual areas so that you will know where to focus your revision and practice during our final two classes." Minerva looked at them all. "You have less than sixteen hours of class time left between now and the exams. We will make the most of them with practice, practice, practice. Anyone who feels they are lagging behind and wishes to arrange tutoring in Transfiguration over the holidays, should speak to me after class today."
"Finally, before we get started, I know that a number of you are still undecided about what you might like to do after your N.E.W.T.s. Please consider arranging interviews with your former Head of House, or myself, if you feel you might benefit from career counseling over the holidays." Minerva removed her wand from her pocket. "Now then, those of you practicing by creating ornaments are excused to the common room. The elves will be in with biscuits, juice and cocoa at our usual break time. Those of us in here will join you for break and you may ask me questions regarding any of the samples you do not understand at that time. Use each other as resources first." She raised an eyebrow and looked at each of them. "Those of you remaining here, please begin at whichever station around the room is appropriate. You may all move and begin."