Prepare for the Freedom Writers Exam

  Film + The Freedom Writers Diary, pages 1–29

Part 1 – Understanding the story

1. Who is Erin Gruwell, and why does she become a teacher?
2. What is the school environment like when Erin first starts teaching?
3. Why do many of the students have problems trusting teachers?
4. What different groups or conflicts exist among the students?
5. How does Erin react when she realizes how difficult the situation is?
6. Why is the students' writing important in the diary?
7. What do the students write about in the first pages of the diary?
8. How does writing help some of the students express their feelings?

Part 2 – Characters

• How would you describe Erin Gruwell as a teacher? Give three adjectives and explain your choices.
• How do the students initially see Erin?
• How does Erin's attitude towards her students differ from the attitude of some other teachers?
• Choose one student from the film. What problems does this student face?
• How do the students change when they begin to trust Erin?
• Why is trust important between a teacher and students?

Part 3 – Film and Diary

• Which gives you a better understanding of the students' feelings: the film or the diary? Why?
• In the film, we can see the students' lives. In the diary, we can read their thoughts. Which is more powerful? Why?

Part 4 – Agree or disagree?

Discuss with a partner. Give reasons for your answer.

Agree or Disagree?

• A teacher can change a student's life.
  Agree or disagree? Why?
• Students should be allowed to write about their personal experiences at school.
  Agree or disagree? Why?
• It is difficult to learn when you do not feel safe.
  Agree or disagree? Why?
• People often judge others before they really know them.
  Agree or disagree? Why?
• Your background does not have to decide your future.
  Agree or disagree? Why?
• Writing can be a way of dealing with difficult experiences.
  Agree or disagree? Why?
• Erin Gruwell does too much for her students.
  Agree or disagree? Why?

Part 5 – Think deeper

• Why do you think the students are divided into different groups?
• What does freedom mean to the students?
• Why can telling your own story be powerful?
• Why might it be easier to write something than to say it aloud?
• What do the students have in common, even though they come from different backgrounds?
• Do you think Erin understands her students at the beginning of the story? Why or why not?
• What do you think is the most important message in pages 1–29?
• If you were one of the students, what would you think about Erin's teaching methods?

Prepare for the Freedom Writers Exam

 Film + The Freedom Writers Diary, pages 1–29

Part 1 – Understanding the story

1. Who is Erin Gruwell, and why does she become a teacher?
2. What is the school environment like when Erin first starts teaching?
3. Why do many of the students have problems trusting teachers?
4. What different groups or conflicts exist among the students?
5. How does Erin react when she realizes how difficult the situation is?
6. Why is the students' writing important in the diary?
7. What do the students write about in the first pages of the diary?
8. How does writing help some of the students express their feelings?

Part 2 – Characters

• How would you describe Erin Gruwell as a teacher? Give three adjectives and explain your choices.
• How do the students initially see Erin?
• How does Erin's attitude towards her students differ from the attitude of some other teachers?
• Choose one student from the film. What problems does this student face?
• How do the students change when they begin to trust Erin?
• Why is trust important between a teacher and students?

Part 3 – Film and Diary

• Which gives you a better understanding of the students' feelings: the film or the diary? Why?
• In the film, we can see the students' lives. In the diary, we can read their thoughts. Which is more powerful? Why?

Part 4 – Agree or disagree?

Discuss with a partner. Give reasons for your answer.

Agree or Disagree?

• A teacher can change a student's life.
  Agree or disagree? Why?
• Students should be allowed to write about their personal experiences at school.
  Agree or disagree? Why?
• It is difficult to learn when you do not feel safe.
  Agree or disagree? Why?
• People often judge others before they really know them.
  Agree or disagree? Why?
• Your background does not have to decide your future.
  Agree or disagree? Why?
• Writing can be a way of dealing with difficult experiences.
  Agree or disagree? Why?
• Erin Gruwell does too much for her students.
  Agree or disagree? Why?

Part 5 – Think deeper

• Why do you think the students are divided into different groups?
• What does freedom mean to the students?
• Why can telling your own story be powerful?
• Why might it be easier to write something than to say it aloud?
• What do the students have in common, even though they come from different backgrounds?
• Do you think Erin understands her students at the beginning of the story? Why or why not?
• What do you think is the most important message in pages 1–29?
• If you were one of the students, what would you think about Erin's teaching methods?

The Freedom Writers Diary: 4

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

Mr. Prusinowski 8th Grade Freedom Writers Diary 13 - 14 - 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 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

Freedom Writers: Part 2

Work with words here: Freedom Writers: words Flashcards | Quizlet

Answer the following questions (in your notebook):

 - Why did Erin Gruwell (Mrs G) decide to become a teacher instead of a lawyer? 

 - Name some problems that Mrs Gruwell faces in the beginning! 

 - How do the students in room 203 treat each other in the beginning? 

 - In what way do you think Wilson High School (the school in Freedom Writers) is different from your school?

 - Are your school and the school from the movie the same in any way?

Holly´s Heroes 2

Holly has created her own basketball team, but they must win their first game to join the same league as The Rams. They need another player, but Nick, the only good choice, refuses to join. With no jerseys, no substitute, and only 24 hours until the game, they have a big challenge ahead.

Before we watch episode 2, work with words here: Holly's Heroes 2 Flashcards | Quizlet

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

Mr. Prusinowski 8th Grade Freedom Writers Diary 13 - 14 - 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.