A Really Dumb Question

[[deleted user]]

Okay, I'm sorry to bother you with this really stupid question, but, why don't they learn about normal things like Math and Science and Reading at Hogwarts? I mean, when they start Hogwarts, they are 11, so they still have much to learn. Why doesn't Hogwarts teach those normal subjects?

[Tejashree]

They do have arithmacy and potions which is sort of like chemistry. I guess they are taught that which is require in the wizard world.

[Daniel]

also readong is thaught before around first year and this great britain they r the third smrteat country in th world

[Pandy, "It unscrews the other way."]

Most witches and wizards seem to get through life without formal upper level training in Math and Reading/English, and I don't think too many care about Science. They seem to focus mainly on using magic (and to be honest, I'm glad JKR doesn't spend too much time explaining the basis of her magic system).

More basic training in these "muggle" subjects would probably be a good idea, though! Some wizards are remarkably clueless about anything outside their world - i.e. not even knowing how to dress unobtrusively as a muggle.

[Pamela]

But they do have muggle studies

[Daniel]

doesn't fit thoygh theyelarn about the usage of a rubber ducky remwmber?

[Ciara]

Each pupil is 11 when they begin Hogwarts. Before this there are two things they could have done:

If the student was Pure-Blood they would have been homeschooled, therefore would know how to read e.t.c. If the student was Muggle-Born, they would have attended Primary School and learned ordinary lessons during this period of time.

Most Wizards or Witches pursue careers within the Wizarding World, or if not, they will soon pick up work ethics and methods in their chosen jobs.

And Pamela, Muggle Studies is only taught in Seventh Year. However, most Pure-Blood Slytherins don't want to be associated with Muggles and some other Wizards feel uncomfortable around them; threfore it is not very important Wizards/Witches learn subjects Muggles recognize.

Arthur, I'm not even certain of the purpose of a rubber ducky and I am a 'Muggle'. :)

[Tejashree]

They have specialization in the field of MAGIC... :)

[Rhaine]

It seems from the books that Maths and Science aren't needed in the wizarding world. Potions, charms and transfiguration are much more useful. The Wizarding World seems to be much more practical than our world.

And like Ciara said, muggleborn students - and maybe halfbloods and purebloods - attended Primary School and would have learn Reading, Maths and some Science there. If not they would have had a tutor or been homeschooled to learn the basic subjects needed for Hogwarts.

Hogwarts does offer several classes that similar to muggle classes. They offer Arithmancy which deals with numbers and their magical properties. And Muggle studies is offered for students to take from 3rd Year and up.

So I think the main reason that they don't teach those subjects is that most kids have at least basic knowledge of them before they come to Hogwarts. And those subjects aren't needed nearly as much in the Wizarding World as they are in our world.

[Ashley]

It also shows that most parents teach their children those basic skills prior to Hogwarts or if they are Muggle born or half-n-half, they most likely already attending a primary school in their younger years.

[Mary]

Well, have a completely different lifestyle than we Muggles do. They use magic for everything. I would assume that parents would teach their children how to read and enough math to be able to make potions or whatever. Muggleborns and some half-bloods would have gone to Muggle schools. Or maybe they all go to Muggle schools, or at least the same type of schools but for wizarding children. No one really knows. That's be a good question for J.K. Rowling. I don't think it's dumb at all.

[Mona]

Because schools are fundamentally unable to teach things relevant to the student's lives even if they are fictionally magical?

In some ways, what they learn is similar - potions/science, arithmancy/math. On the other hand, there's no health, physical, or dance classes.

[Beatrice]

Their P.E is to learn how to ride on a broomstick and quidditch I guess.
For dance. Well for Yule Ball hahaha :)

[Charleen]

I always wondered about their P.E. class! I mean, JK Rowling only had one quidditch learning class scene, and the rest were quidditch matches (and not everyone played quidditch). And then I realized they could probably make potions for staying healthy anyways...

[Dewinda]

this is not a dumb question, i think...because fction still is reflection of reality, right? hmm but i guess Rowling understand that math and science or so whatever in muggle world will be boring...haha...

but when u speak out this question, yeah i think maybe Rowling should consider this. but this is fantasy. who can argue? :D

@charleen :
or maybe there's a spell for healthy body hehe. but then again, where do Oliver Wood get his big body? :o

[Posi]

Ciara *I love Harry Potter!* wrote: "Each pupil is 11 when they begin Hogwarts. Before this there are two things they could have done:

If the student was Pure-Blood they would have been homeschooled, therefore would know how to read ..."

Muggle studies Is from the third year and up.