Friday, September 18, 2026

The Freedom Writers Diary: Read part 3

Start with working with these words (approximately 10 min):

Freedom Writers Diary p. 1-29 (Part 3) Flashcards | Quizlet


Today you are going to read and listen to diary entries 9-12 and entries 13-14 in the book

Mr. Prusinowski 8th Grade Reading Group Freedom Writers Diaries 9 - 12 - YouTube


Discuss last weeks questions and start to prepare for the Freedom Writers test you´ll have:
- how children around the age of 10 are manipulated into becoming gang members,
- that when they are old enough to understand it is hard to get out but it can be done,
- that most gang members have experienced violence and trauma during their childhood,
- that being initiated by being beaten up is very dangerous and could kill a young person,
- that carrying weapons such as guns and knives gives a false feeling of protection,
- that it is always safer not to use weapons or any other kind of violence,
- that if someone starts a fight, the safest choice is always to stay out of it.


The Freedom Writers Diary: Read, Part 2

Today you are going to read and listen to diary entries 4-7 in the book:

Mr. Prusinowski 8th Grade Freedom Writer's Diary 4 - 8 - YouTube

But first I want you to work with words here:  Freedom Writers Diary p. 1-29 (Part 2) Flashcards | Quizlet

When you´re done reading the diary entries of today´s lesson, I want you to discuss the following things:

- how children around the age of 10 are manipulated into becoming gang members,
- that when they are old enough to understand it is hard to get out but it can be done,
- that most gang members have experienced violence and trauma during their childhood,
- that being initiated by being beaten up is very dangerous and could kill a young person,
- that carrying weapons such as guns and knives gives a false feeling of protection,
- that it is always safer not to use weapons or any other kind of violence,
- that if someone starts a fight, the safest choice is always to stay out of it.


If (only if) you have time left, you can work with these words (next week´s diary entries):

Freedom Writers Diary p. 1-29 (Part 3) Flashcards | Quizlet


Wednesday, September 16, 2026

The Freedom Writers Diary: Read, Part 2

Last week, you discussed racism. Then you read and listened to diary entries 1-3.

Today you are going to read and listen to diary entries 4-7 in the book:
Mr. Prusinowski 8th Grade Freedom Writer's Diary 4 - 8 - YouTube

But first I want you to work with words here:  Freedom Writers Diary p. 1-29 (Part 2) Flashcards | Quizlet

When you´re done reading the diary entries of today´s lesson, I want you to discuss the following things:

- how children around the age of 10 are manipulated into becoming gang members,
- that when they are old enough to understand it is hard to get out but it can be done,
- that most gang members have experienced violence and trauma during their childhood,
- that being initiated by being beaten up is very dangerous and could kill a young person,
- that carrying weapons such as guns and knives gives a false feeling of protection,
- that it is always safer not to use weapons or any other kind of violence,
- that if someone starts a fight, the safest choice is always to stay out of it.


If (only if) you have time left, you can work with these words (next week´s diary entries):

Freedom Writers Diary p. 1-29 (Part 3) Flashcards | Quizlet


Monday, September 14, 2026

The Freedom Writers Diary; Read, Part 1

Now that we`ve seen the movie Freedom Writers, we are going to read parts of the book. 

I want you to work with the following words first:  Freedom Writers Diary p. 1-29 (Part 1) Flashcards | Quizlet

During today´s lesson we will read and listen to Ms. Gruwell´s diary entry and also read and listen to diary entries 1-4 in the book: Mr. Prusinowski 8th Grade Freedom Writer's Diary 1 - 4 - YouTube

Today you are going to discuss racism, based on the scene with the drawing of Jamal.

- Where does racism come from?


Go to this page: http://www.chasingthefrog.com/reelfaces/freedomwriters.php and read about the real Freedom Writers.

Friday, September 11, 2026

The Freedom Writers Diary; Read, Part 1

Now that we`ve seen the movie Freedom Writers, we are going to read parts of the book. 

I want you to work with the following words first:  Freedom Writers Diary p. 1-29 (Part 1) Flashcards | Quizlet

During today´s lesson we will read and listen to Ms. Gruwell´s diary entry and also read and listen to diary entries 1-4 in the book: Mr. Prusinowski 8th Grade Freedom Writer's Diary 1 - 4 - YouTube

Today you are going to discuss racism, based on the scene with the drawing of Jamal.

- Where does racism come from?


Go to this page: http://www.chasingthefrog.com/reelfaces/freedomwriters.php and read about the real Freedom Writers.

Monday, September 7, 2026

Crime and Punishment: Lesson 2

We are going to watch two episodes of  The World´s Toughest Prisons. The first episode will be about prison in Norway. Before we do that I want you to work with the booklet named "The World´s Toughest Prisons". 

I want you to work with the following things during this lesson (you write your answers in your booklet):

1. Answer the question "What is the main purpose of prison?"

2. Work with "Agree or Disagree?".

3. Continue with "Important Vocabulary" where you translate words (use your computer to look up words). 

4. Move on to "Make Predictions".


Crime and Punishment: Lesson 2

We are going to watch two episodes of  The World´s Toughest Prisons. Before we do that I want you to work with the booklet named "The World´s Toughest Prisons". We will watch the first episode on Thursday and it will be about prison in Norway.

I want you to work with the following things during this lesson (you write your answers in your booklet):

1. Answer the question "What is the main purpose of prison?"

2. Work with "Agree or Disagree?".

3. Continue with "Important Vocabulary" where you translate words (use your computer to look up words). 

4. Move on to "Make Predictions".