All about Maggie Smith

Maggie Smith is a famous actress from England who has been in lots of movies and plays. She was born on December 28, 1934, in a place called Ilford. As a child, Maggie loved acting and decided she wanted to be an actress when she grew up. She studied drama and started acting in plays when she was still very young.

Maggie first became famous for acting in Shakespeare’s plays, like "Othello" and "Much Ado About Nothing." She was so good that many people started to notice her. She then moved on to acting in movies and won her first big award, an Oscar, for her role in the movie "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie."

Many people know Maggie Smith for her role as Professor McGonagall in the "Harry Potter" movies. She plays a very wise and kind teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Maggie also starred in a popular TV show called "Downton Abbey," where she played the witty and sharp-tongued Lady Violet.

Throughout her life, Maggie Smith has won many awards for her acting. She is known for being very talented and hardworking. Even as she got older, she kept acting and inspiring people with her performances. Maggie Smith is a true star who has had an amazing career in acting!

1. When and where was Maggie Smith born?
2. What was Maggie's first big award, and for which movie did she win it?
3. Who does Maggie Smith play in the "Harry Potter" movies?
4. Why do you think Maggie Smith has had such a successful career in acting?
5. How do you think Maggie's love for acting as a child helped her in her career?

Symbols and Traditions

Hi! My name is Fiona, and I am 8 years old. I love reading the Harry Potter books, and I recently got to visit a place that is just like Hogwarts! It was so much fun. Maggie Smith, who plays Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter movies, is one of my favorite actresses. She is so good at magic and teaching the students in the movies.

We went to a place called Alnwick Castle in England. It’s one of the castles used in the Harry Potter films! It felt like I was really at Hogwarts. We saw the spot where Harry had his first flying lesson. I even got to try on a wizard’s robe and pretend I was learning how to fly on a broomstick. The castle was huge, with big stone walls and lots of places to explore. I imagined Professor McGonagall walking through the halls, teaching spells and looking very serious.

My favorite part was seeing the courtyard where they filmed some of the Quidditch scenes. I could almost hear the sound of the brooms zooming around. It was the best day ever, and I can’t wait to go back and see more magical places!

1. Who is Fiona's favorite character played by Maggie Smith in the Harry Potter movies?
2. Describe the location Fiona visited and what it made her feel like.
3. Why is the courtyard Fiona’s favorite part of the visit?
4. Can you think of another scene from the Harry Potter series that might have been filmed at the castle Fiona visited?
5. How would you feel if you could visit a place from your favorite book or movie? Why?

Profile of Maggie Smith

A Timeline of Maggie Smith to another Festival

After learning all about Maggie Smith, your job is to create a timeline of their life. You should add all the important events in their life but you can be inventive and add some interesting things that people might like to read about. You can make it as simply as you like with pen and paper or you can be very inventive and create a 3D diorama or hanging banner. The sky's the limit - go for it!

Slideshow - Maggie Smith
A full set of teaching plans for Maggie Smithteaching.