The Blind Side

Now that you have watched the film The Blind Side, I want you to answer the following questions (the answers doesn´t have to be very long):

Part 1 – Understanding the Film

1. Who is Michael Oher?

2. Why does Michael have to change schools?

3. How does Michael feel when he first moves in with the Tuohy family?

4. Why does Michael find it difficult to improve his grades?

5. How does Michael's life change during the film?

Part 2 – Characters and Relationships

6. Describe Leigh Anne Tuohy. What kind of person is she?

7. How does S.J. Tuohy help Michael?

8. How does the relationship between Michael and Leigh Anne develop?

9. Which character helps Michael the most? Explain your answer.

Part 3 – Themes and Discussion

10. What does the film teach us about kindness and helping others?

11. Why is it important not to judge people based on their appearance or background?

12. Do you think Michael would have had the same opportunities without the Tuohy family? Why or why not?

13. What does the film teach us about family? Is family always about being related by blood?

Part 4 – Your Own Opinion

14. What is your favourite scene in the film? Explain why.

15. Which character do you like the most? Why?

16. Would you recommend this film to a friend? Why or why not?

Cook and Tell – Instructions

Your task:

You are going to create your own recipe, prepare the food, and film yourself making it. You will practise writing in English and learn vocabulary related to cooking and kitchen equipment. 

1. Learn the vocabulary

Study the Kitchenware Flashcards on Quizlet.

2. Find a recipe

Choose a dish you would like to make. Find a basic recipe that you can use for inspiration.

You can choose anything you like, for example:

• Pancakes

• Pasta

• Pizza

• Cookies

• A smoothie

• A salad

3. Write your own recipe

Your recipe must include:

1. Title – What is your dish called?

2. Ingredients – What do you need, and how much?

3. Kitchen equipment – What tools do you need?

4. Instructions – Explain how to make the dish step by step.

Use clear English and cooking verbs such as cut, mix, pour, add, stir, boil, fry, bake and serve.

Remember to write the instructions in the correct order.

4. Cook and film

Prepare to make your recipe at home. You must film yourself making the dish.

During the film:

• Show the ingredients and kitchen equipment.

• Explain what you are doing in English.

• Describe the steps as you prepare the food.

• Use kitchen vocabulary and cooking verbs.

• Show the finished dish.

You do not have to speak perfect English. The important thing is that you try to explain what you are doing in your own words.

Good luck and happy cooking!

Crime & Punishment - Discussion Questions

 Discuss the following questions during today´s lesson: 

1. Should prison be about helping criminals change, rather than just punishing them? Why or why not?
2. Should people who commit serious crimes receive very long prison sentences? Why or why not?
3. Does everyone deserve a second chance after making a serious mistake? Why or why not?
4. Do most people who commit crimes know that what they are doing is wrong? Why or why not?
5. What do you think life in prison is really like?
6. Should prisoners have access to education and training? Why or why not?
7. Should young people who commit crimes be given a second chance instead of being sent to prison? Why or why not?
8. Should the death penalty be used for the most serious crimes? Why or why not?
9. Should the police be allowed to use more surveillance to prevent crime? Why or why not?
10. Are people more likely to commit crimes when they grow up in poverty? Why or why not?
11. If someone has served their sentence, should society forgive them? Why or why not?
12. Should prisoners have the same basic rights as everyone else? Why or why not?
13. Is a prison sentence always the best punishment? Why or why not?
14. Are people sometimes more afraid of crime than they need to be? Why or why not?
15. Can social media make young people more likely to get involved in crime? Why or why not?
16. Is treating everyone equally more important than considering their individual situation? Why or why not?

Follow-up questions

• Why do you think so?
• Can you give an example?
• What could be another point of view?
• Would you change your opinion? Why or why not?

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