Education& Creativity
*Freedom Writers ~ Part 2 of 2*
Freedom Writers illustrates Erin Gruwell as a teacher in an extraordinary circumstance that needs extraordinary skills. Gradually, Gruwell designed a creative model of education that resulted in a true story of success. Following, and in response to thousands of requests, Gruwell and a panel of experts have written The Freedom Writers Diary Teacher's Guide where you can find the philosophy of the education experience shown in the movie.
Freedom Writers is an inspiring movie, not only because it is based on a true story, but also because it raises questions about the concepts of violence, education, empowerment, and collective memories. It is the kind of movie that encourages you to think out of the box and to believe that small actions can make a difference.
The introduction of the
teacher's guide presents a three-stage process (excerpts taken directly out
of the guide are shown in italics for example):
1. Engage
your students by establishing a collaborative and supportive academic
environment that will draw your students into the learning process, help them
make connections between who they are as individuals and who they are as
students.
2. Enlighten
your students by making them practice different kinds of writing and public
speaking, and by becoming critical thinkers.
3. Empower
your students by bringing the outside world into the classroom, and taking
their classroom into the world.
Dear Group Facilitator:
Set in Los Angeles during the years following the 1992 Rodney King
riots, Freedom Writers tells the true story of a young English teacher and her influence in the classroom. Erin Gruwell begins the school year as an English
teacher for the “at-risk” freshmen students at Wilson High School in Long Beach,
California. She soon realizes that her diverse group of students is embroiled in the
racial gang war culture of the time. Without the positive support of family
members or teachers, these students have no expectations of academic success. Each
day is a struggle to survive on the streets.
In a daring move that counters her superiors at Wilson High, Ms. Gruwell sacrifices her own time and
money to inspire and educate her struggling students. Using books such as Anne
Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl and Zlata’s Diary: A Child’s Life in Sarajevo, Gruwell leads her class in a life-changing journey against
intolerance. As the students read these books, they begin to recognize
parallels in their own lives and record personal accounts of their experiences
and emotions in diaries. Calling themselves the “Freedom Writers,” the students
gain national recognition for their efforts and begin to make positive changes
in their own lives.
Freedom Writers, in both book and movie form, touches on powerful themes such as self-reflection, tolerance, facing adversity, striving for success and trust.
- Step 1) SEE THE FILM AND READ THE BOOK
- THE MOVIE: Freedom Writers, a Paramount Pictures and MTV Movies film, opened in theaters on January 5, 2007. The movie is now available on DVD through several resources.
- THE BOOK, The Freedom Writer's Diary, by The Freedom Writers with Erin Gruwell is widely available in libraries and book stores. It contains real journal entries from Ms. Gruwell’s students as they advance through high sch
- Step 2) PARTICIPATE - Take part in powerful discussions that address themes such as:
- Tolerance
- Trust
- Family relationships
- Anti-violence
- Striving for success
- Step 3) TAKE THE LEAD TO HELP OTHERS
- Using the example of Erin Gruwell’s determination to make positive changes in her classroom, young people are urged to learn to take on responsibility by designing and conducting a service project. Youth are also encouraged to advocate for educational changes that could make a difference in their community’s schools.
Notes for the Facilitator:
The discussion questions in this guide are designed to encourage youth
to think deeply about the themes and messages that arise in Freedom Writers. The discussion
questions and activity ideas are arranged according to theme and provide youth
with an open forum to express their emotions and engage in constructive
dialogue with their peers.
Importantly, please tailor the discussion questions to the life
circumstances of the youth in your group. Many of us have endured relationships
or life experiences that may be similar to the challenging circumstances faced
by Ms. Gruwell’s students. Yet, many youth, like the main characters of Freedom
Writers, will reach into their own hearts and into a close circle of
support (parents, grandparents, family members, peers, teachers and others) to
develop lasting, positive relationships.
CONNECT YOUR
CURRICULUM WITH THESE WEB RESOURCES!
- By linking with the Freedom Writers Outreach program, you can join empowering live events and video chats for students, school faculty, education professionals, university students and staff, corporate events, and leadership conferences.
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