SOCIAL CONTEXT OF SCHOOLING[Post #1]Semester 2, 2013
After viewing the movie, Freedom Writers, respond to the following:
Discuss how education helps to improve the lives of the characters.
Blog your comment and respond to 2 of your colleagues comments(separately) on this issue.
This independent nature inspire them to become the freedom writers, which is very unique and really shows that you do not need to sacrifice your life to gain or own respect.
Lorna Bishop How does education help to improve the lives of the characters? We all know that children must entitle to a good Education. Education has been the most reliable path to a better life. For these children in the movie Freedom Writers Education help to improve their lives. They will have a better quality life, and also access to good jobs. Mrs Gruwell brings students together by teaching them about the Holocaust. Mrs Gruwell have trust and respect for these children, she never give up on them, despite the fact she have struggle with her family especially her husband. Because of Mrs Gruwell courage it really paid off for her with a sense of accomplishment in her career. Mrs Gruwell brings joy and makes a big difference in these students’ lives.
There are so much things that can be seen from this story on the perspective of a teacher. The interactive classroom makes a better learning environment as the teacher encourage and make the students to participate as equal partners in an ongoing discovery process.The education also occurred out of the classroom when they did their field trip and met people of history. The teacher aid the students to change their mentality about how they are. The concept was that they are the only one holding them self back from being successful.
The fact that the teacher cared enough about her students that she fought for what she believed that they deserved even when they did not believe it themselves. She went and bout them new books when the administration refused to give them to her. She also found books that they could relate to on a personal level. The fact that she cared enough to not give up on them like everyone else i believe made the difference in the lives of the students.
The teacher did play a major role in the lives of these students. They were always seen as the ones who “weren’t going to make it in life”; the out casts. They believed this and so didn't care about school or their education. Mrs. Gruwell changed all that. She was passionate about what she taught. She gave them the opportunity to become academically successful. She used different technique and methods like the journal writing and brought book the students could relate to . This in the end convinced the students that they are important and in charge of their own destiny.
I support what you are saying Mimi.The teacher made a big difference in students' education. They were able to apply what they learn at school in their every day life. They students were the ones who had the power to make the change. Ms. G was mainly there to guide them.
The behind the scenes workings that the teacher did in order to be able to have her students get what they needed to be successful, is in my opinion remarkable. I know many people and I am sure that none of them would work three jobs in order to pay for their main job. The passion is undeniable and the results were amazing.
i agree, if it wasn't for this particular teacher, these student would have wrote a piece, or identify themself as an independent learner, yes they were he ones holding themselves back no one else
I agree with Althea that the teacher was important in the students’ positive development. This group of students was seen as the “problem” group, the ones who couldn’t learn. I don’t think that they were but it was the fact that none of the other teacher cares enough about the problems that these students were facing outside of the classroom, so none of them were able to relate to the students. Mrs. Gruwell saw the need to show the them that she cared and believed in them. This is very important to children or teenagers, making them feel like they are worthy of the finer things in life.
I must agree with the view Althea put forward in singling out the teacher for her tremendous work in reaching out and impacting the lives of each of the youths in her class. She displayed strong personality traits for success and victory. I also must say Mrs. Gruwell displayed exceptional character and strength by compromising her very own marriage and happiness for the job she love and enjoys doing, educating.
Education helps to improve the lives of the characters because it helps them to develop independent thinkers who are committed to moral principals in their lives, and who are likely to do the right thing even under challenging circumstances. An example of this would be when a student went to court to identify who killed the man that was shot in the supermarket. The teacher on the other hand also helps to shape the lives of the students. She interacts with her class every day at school. A lot of activities were done to help students see the important things of live. The teacher allows the students to express themselves by making them write anything that they want in the notebook. The students' attitudes were different at the end of the movie. They were able to realize the value of live and the importance of their education. This would have been impossible if they did not have a good teacher who love and care for them.
At the end of the movie we were also able to see that they were willing to fight for what they believed they deserved. When they realized that they teacher would not be with them for their junior and senior years they were willing to stand up to the administration. They were not willing to get what they want by breaking the law (what they are use to) but by talking to someone in authority or by protesting. They realized that the teacher believed in them and their success and they wanted to keep that positive role model in their lives for the rest of their high school lives.
I concur Tera, as without her none of their accomplishments would have been fulfilled. The fact that Mrs. G sacrificed her home lief for what she thought those kids deserved was truly remarkable and allowed us to see what true passion is like. To live with so much passion everyday, I wonder if it would be exhausting. This movie allowed us to see first hand where interactive strategies combined with support beyond the classroom is more than effective.
I must agree also, values and morals are to be very important aspects in students life and their learning development. Mrs. Gruwell provided emotional support and set the foundation for students to become successful and productive students. She provide novels that students were able to make connections and relate to what the character in the novel was experiencing. With that, one of the females was able to develop the courage to speak the truth which was the right thing to do. This caused her to sacrifice her relationship with her own kind to save another.
I strongly agree with what you have stated, Mrs. G had a great impact in changing the lives of these students. She guided and shaped them morally and emotionally. Of course, it was a difficult task for her, but it was evident that she was a good role model and had displayed leadership, aspiration and measurable progress. Best of all, her approach had nurtured the students lives in a positive way.
I agree with you Tera, the teacher did play a major in her students life, being able to reach them mentally in spite of many challenges; however they embracing the challenge to want better was a major accomplishment.
Education helped to improve the lives of the characters because it allowed them to realize that they can be more than what the system is dictating that they are. The system expects that they will be in school up to a certain age then drop out and become another statistic by either being in prison be by being killed. When the students actually started to learn they started to believe in themselves and to see that there is a better life out there for them than what they have been living. They started to make better decisions and started to respect each other and those in authority. These are things that these students would never have done before. For example, when the young lady was testifying in court she made the choice to tell the truth despite the consequences she might face. There is another example with the young man who went to ask his mother for forgiveness because he was tired of the street life and was ready to do the right thing. Education allowed them to see that there was a life beyond what they knew and were use to and they wanted that life and was now working towards achieving that life.
You have brought forward some positive effects that education impacted on the lives of the characters. Your posting identified an improved process from being naive to knowledge and well rounded. It was definitely a changed future for these characters.
I agree with what you are saying Kimberly. Educatioon gave students a chance to be critical thinkers. They were able to able to apply what they learn at school. The students were able to make logical decisions in their lives. The young lady who testify in court chose to tell in truth. She did the right thing because an innoncent young man could have spent his life in jail for something that he did not do. The other young man also made a good decision. He asked for forgiveness because he knew that the life which he was living was not the best choice.
I would like to add to your comments, Kimberly. The characters in the movie “Freedom Writers” reminded me of our students’ right here in Belize. Many of them struggle with poverty, being in gangs, not knowing where there next meal is coming from and all the other negativity that was portrayed in this movie. Teachers need to instill in our children that it is possible to make something of themselves despite what has happened in the past. Our past does not dictate our future. Youth in Belize need caring teachers to show them the way, to guide and be there for them. I know for sure, that many teachers in Belize go beyond the call of duty and I applaud those who do so. Keep up the good work teachers of Belize. Karen Cain
I fully agree and the reality is that as educators we have students who face some of these same problems.It only goes to show that with education you can change the world one student at a time. Wonderful perspective on the movie!!!
The main goal of education is to foster ethical, responsible and caring young people along with emphasis on values that we all share. This was brought out in the movie freedom writers. In the beginning of the movie the students hated each other since they were from different cultural background. They didn’t communicate with each other. Each of them had their own problems to deal with. Nobody believed in them except Mrs. Gruwell. This showed that that the teacher in the classroom plays an important role in fostering the values of education and helping in improving lives. Mrs. G was dedicated and devoted to her students. She went beyond to help these students regardless of the challenges she faced. The teacher developed strategies to boost the students and had them taking part in class activities. She was able to convince them that each of them is important and that unity is power. They struggles to improve their own lives think and were able to encourage each other. This example clearly shows that in order for education to improve character a teacher must first be dedicated and determined and believe in each one of their students.
Yes Ms. Palacio we share the same sentiments. I also, believe the main goal of the education system is to foster ethical, responsible and learning. Everyone has the right to an education despite his or her races , culture or sex. Thus, as I mention Before on Mrs. Tera Adolphus comment, it is very important for us to have moral values and standards and this is what fuel Mrs. Gruwell to be the dedicated teacher she was. She saw the need for change and she started by establishing TEAM building in her classroom which causes students to become united and comfortable. As to what one of the male characters in story mention. ROOM 203 was a place where everyone vibe and understood each other.
I agree with you Althea , teachers play a major role through education building students’ attitude, and shaping their lives. Helping students to see and know what they want to be and have a deeper sense of appreciation for education, being independent and wanting better for themselves. Mrs. G gave up a lot for her students, this can be seen right here in Belize. Teachers sacrifice so much for their students sometimes becoming a single parent.
The story “Freedom Writers” shows that education can improve lives. In the beginning, the characters overall self esteem was low and they sacrificed education to engage in the negatives in the streets which was their norm for survival. Education improved their communication skills and developed interactive learning through their socialization with varying cultural groups. Learning was effective as was evident during the sharing of the different beliefs, myths, traditions and norms. The teacher, against all odds of the school system, had a great impact in the education process of these characters as she created an environment conducive for learning and also showed that she believed in them.
with all that said and done, it was the teacher's main goal, to create a learning environemnt thats welcoming and like you said she bellieved in them that was what kept her going
In addition to what was stated, Mrs. G displayed qualities of being an effective teacher. She uses all efforts to boost student’s achievement and reduce negative behaviors. She also build moral intelligence as a key element to have them choose what’s right and to make a difference in their crucial lives. As a teacher, I must say that meaningful and successful change takes time. It is also important to consider that in order to make a positive change we should “Think big. Start small. Move slowly”. Do you agree?
The student's background and cultural upbringing affected their socialization and self esteem. Ms. Marin, I agree that it was the environment that the teacher created that assisted these students to become better students and individuals.
I concur with your comments as many teachers face deplorable and challenging learning environments. However, with consistent effort and perseverance, many teachers are able to create a student-friendly learning environment. Once the enabling environment is created, learning will occur.
Yes education can improve lives, but as I mention that can only takes place if the teacher is dedicated to his/her students as was portrayed by Ms Gruwell in the movie ‘’Freedom Writers’’. She had her students best interest at heart.
According to the characters from the movie "Freedom Writers" their sense of belonging is fostered by their teacher. She demonstrates warmth and openness, and her supportive teaching styles helps to increase student interest to allow and help students find that education has a meaningful value. In addition to that, the teacher also helps children feel that they are also valued members in the classroom and around their environment. Teachers have a lot to do to a certain degree of motivation. Ms. G behavior and positive interactions have a large effect on the student changes. She had accomplished a stepping stone in their lives meaningfully and build positive practices that will help them cope with the different kinds of challenges the will face on a daily basis. In conclusion to this, I would strongly state that teachers have a strong impact on their students, because they are entrusted with the development of their students.
I strongly agree with Miss Berry. Miss G has been very instrumental and has provided considerable time to help motivate her students. She has encouraged them to see each other as human beings rather than Latinos, Black, Asian, or white. She has helped them to become more philosophical about the situation and to take the steps into improving their environment
Lorna Bishop. I agree too with Miss Gomez. Miss G. arrived in the class and don't know what type of students she would have to deal with. The first few days was a disaster for her when she discovered who her students were. Miss G. came up with a lot of ideas to build a relationship with her students and also teach them on a level to have a good relationship with each other. The students saw Miss G. care for them, especially when she took her own money and purchased the book gang violence for them. These children was interested in reading the book because gang violence is what they live through everyday. Teachers that have attitude like Miss G. will definitely become a role model for children.
I also agree with your statement,teachers do play an important role in fostering and nuturing students. We need to develop an attitide like Miss G. to gain our student's confidence.
I agree with Ms.Berry it shows that as teachers we play an important role in the lives of the students who are entrusted in our care and we can make a positive difference in their lives.
I do agree that the warm and open support that the teacher gave the students was a large contributor to the drive of the students to learn. Being that the students were uninterested in learning primarily, it was the difference in how they were treated that allowed them to open themselves to learning. Human beings are social beings who naturally want to feel like they have a purpose. I am in agreement of the fact that teachers do have a strong impact on their students. If students are treated as if they are not important or unwanted they will not care about their lives or the lives of others. This was what was evident in the movie. However, until Ms. G treated them as if they meant the world to her, they began to believe in themselves and were driven to learn.
The movie “Freedom Writers” is a great movie about teaching and it reveals the importance of creating a teacher-student relationship. It was noted that in the movie, the students discovered lasting values such as self-acceptance, responsibility, and solidarity. This was due to Mrs. Gruwell’s enthusiastic and committed approach. Mrs. Gruwell’s never-ending attempts to reach to her students despite the difficulties she encountered and her desire to help them succeed are definitely inspiring. Mrs. G truly reflects what exactly a teacher is, to believe in herself and allow her students to believe in them, as key to success in education.
I agree wholeheartedly with your comments Jordan, I too think that Mrs. Gruewell was a remarkable teacher. She triumphs against all odds to bring those kids around, but she also paid a huge price, when her marriage broke up. Karen Cain
I agree with Jordan’s take on the importance of teacher-student relationship and getting to know your students. Mrs. G was these students’ strength and inspiration; she made them believe in their-selves, gave them a sense of identity in her eyes, she wanted them to make positive strive in life. The super quality that Mrs. G posses that shines like a diamond in this movie would be the skill to have these youths embrace self-acceptance, responsibility and solidarity. She holds the key to education and all it took was the right attitude she demonstrated.
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True ststement, we do need to develop a teacher-student bond to show students the importance of themselves as a part of society. Teach them life skills to pass on to the next generation and break the cycle of angry incompetent individuals in society.
I strongly agree with Jordon's comments. Education is not only about academics. It also involves teaching and demonstrating positive values. The movie emulates Mrs. Gruwell and the students’ values. At the conclusion of the movie, through empowerment of education, the students learnt and showcased positive values.
The students in the movie “Freedom Writers” were basically from gang infested neighborhoods, where poverty and hardship reigns. It was truly amazing to watch the movie and saw how education helped to improve the lives of the characters in the film. It was clear that the other school teachers and administrators had written off these students and they were stereotyped as not being able to succeed at anything in life. Hilary Swank, whom played the part of the dedicated teacher started to teach the youngster the value of an education. This was done simply by journaling their experiences with violence in their environment. In addition, she thought them about the writings of Anne Frank, the holocaust and about Zlata's Diary: A Child's Life in Sarajevo. Slowly but surely, these stories were the catalyst that made the students began to understand the true meaning of tolerance and compassion. They began to embrace those other students who were their enemies and started to initiate the changes within themselves a little at a time. For quite a long time, it has always been said that “education is the key to success.” This was definitely the case in this movie. Karen Cain
Education improved the lives of the characters by making them aware that they were masters of their own destiny and that without believing in themselves nothing would get done. The fact that the student who was living in a hole in the wall went home to his mom and told her he didn't want to be in the streets or the gang anymore. Really showcased how knowledge is power, for before he was ignorant to the fact that he could change his life after embracing Mrs G and her teachings he made the right choice. He went on college, without the education he received that would never have been a possibility. Education truly is the doorway to a better life and a better you.
Education is the key to success, without it we won't be able to say what the future holds for us. The teacher Mrs. G made her class a friendly, and welcoming learning environment for her students. She expose them to different writings an books which made them become interested inlearning and made them independent and critical thinkers, that later showed in the piece that they wrote. The movie shows the teachers play an important role in what student would want to do. Education is very important and it determins how ones future will be.
Indeed Felciia as teachers we do play an important role in our students lives. It is interestign that teachers are the ones who creates doctors, lawyers as well as gang leaders when we give up and say "Im tired of this student". Everyday students come to school and we have no idea what is happening at home, but as our duty we are to show them the bright light and how their future can change by getting their education.
Ms. Garbutt you are so right. Education has a lot to do with our future. Regardless of our background we can become well rounded individuals and be skillful and knowledgeable. As the saying states, "A good education translates to excellent networking".
Ms. Garbutt you are so right. Education has a lot to do with our future. Regardless of our background we can become well rounded individuals and be skillful and knowledgeable. As the saying states, "A good education translates to excellent networking".
At first the education system had low expectations and discriminated against the students because they were considered to be delinquent and underprivileged students that the education system in L.A gave up on. During this period they were given damage and unattractive books to use. These factors had affected the student’s academic performance critically. It did not motivate them to want to learning or capture their interest to participate in class discussions. Nonetheless, the introduction of the very optimistic young teacher Mrs. Gruwell had surely impacted and improved the personal stigma and discrimination against the students in Room 203. Mrs. Gruwell has implemented many charitable integrated programs that has influence the students to change they the way they think, behavior and perform academically. By doing so, she first addressed the conflicts and social issues that were in her class; which causes them to become united, comfortable and interested in learning. Thus, one of these main strategies for them to express themselves and for her to get to know was the journal writing. This allows students to be able to share very personal and distributing issues that were affecting them on an everyday bias. Therefore, Mrs. Gruwell really shows hope for the quote “no child is left behind”.
This shows that as teacher we play a significant role in our students lives. It was the teacher who impacted their lives and as Shanika mentioned the journals allowed the teacher to actually realize what her students are going through. She never gave up as other did; and this is what a teacher should do: Dont give up. Infact Ms. Gruwell changed the curiculum to to suit their needs. These are the kind of teachers that society needs, that Belize needs to change students attitude and open their eyes as to what life has to offer.
Shamika and Cristal, you both hit the nail on the head! Most of the children in this generation are not being serious about their academics because of the various factors that distract them from focusing; therefore, the teachers should take on the responsibility to go beyond in order to reach the students individual needs. It is important as teachers that we understand where our students come from (without judging) so as to reach out to them and know where to guide them so they can have a better future. Ms. Gruwell was much more than academics, she helped her students to turn their lives around with hard work and dedication; definately more of what we need in Belize to see better progress.
If the school did not take these children seriously, how were they ever expected to see any potential in themselves. The poor condition of the books and lack of interest shown a few times in the movie indicates that the administrators of the school tolerated the students to confine them rather than to truly educate them. It had to take the outside and open minded view of Mrs. Gruwell to convince both parties that the other is worth believing in. The school was given a reason to fund a better education for the students of 203; and the students were given a reason to believe in a system again.
I truly believe that the education system failed the students as they were already doomed to failure and this created a negative environment for all. The students were doomed because they were not provided with the necessary tools for success. The teacher had to take it upon herself to purchase materials that aided in the progress of the students. The students initially only trusted their peers from their own ethnic/racial group because that was their comfort zone. Those people gave them the support they needed whether it was good or bad. Education helped to improve the lives of the characters because once they realized that they could excel, their self-confidence improved thus creating a positive environment. Poverty places a major role in the academic in the characters’ lives because students were unable to function without the basic needs. Gangster life becomes the status quo as the students do what they see and peer- pressure is crucial at their stage of development.
I concur with Kimberly as the teacher was the determining factor that brought about a positive environment for the students even though the dismal situations plaguing the society. Teacher wittily brought students to the level where they were able to inherently strive for success and used the past as a learning experience that definitely would not impede a brighter future.
I agree with Ines. The supportive nature of the teacher was the determining factor that allowed the students to reflect on their own lives and thus set the pace for a meaningful future. Clearly, the teacher placed herself in her students’ shoes so as to get a deeper understanding of how to help them and in fact creating that smooth transition in a comfort zone that benefitted both herself and the students.
Miss Gruwell has a great impact in the lives of her students. The students moved from the victim mentality to an empowered mentality. They were living in a culturally diverse environment. However, they were taught how to eliminate their prejudices and become more tolerant of people with different ethnic groups or backgrounds. As we have observed education has allowed them to understand and explore different cultures. Education has also allowed them to develop interpersonal relationship and learn from the experience of others. As the freedom writers group starts to experience success in their lives they start to build confidence and they increased their positive self -image. Therefore, education can alleviate some of the poverty we encounter and is often a paramount to future success.
You are right. The students’ interpersonal relationship skills did blossomed tremendously and this happened because they became more confident in themselves. The journals that they had to keep were very significant to this change in their behaviors and attitudes. The student having to share felling and ideas in the classroom was a strategy that the teacher used to expose them to each other’s feeling in return allowing them to learn to respect each other’s differences.
I enjoyed this movie very much. It was inspiring and it gives me greater comfort to know that young people no matter their ethnicity or socioeconomic status can be reform through dedication, love and most importantly education. In this movie, education had a positive impact on the students’ lives. The students went from being hostile and disrespectful, not knowing how to communicate their feeling, ideas and emotions to each other or the people around them to young men and women who felt comfortable writing and sharing their feeling openly. Getting educated help them to gain the self worth and values that were lacking in them before. For instance, Maria who had witnessed a crime being committed by one of her own family members and was expected to lie on his behalf was able to tell the truth no matter the consequences. It could have been seen that the students all wanted to be better than what they were before meeting this dynamic teacher Mrs. Gruwell who inspired them to become the ”Freedom Writer”. For me personally, Mrs. Gruwell is the kind of teacher that I am striving to become. Seeing herself as the vessel for change in her students lives not through teaching strictly curriculum but by incorporating real life experiences (pains and successes) within context of the curriculum and helping them to understand that they hold the key to living better lives than what the streets were forcing them to live.
The movie Freedom Writers highlights the importance of education in our lives. It shows that education can change someone’s life significantly. In the movie it is clearly seen that the teacher was the one who contributed significantly in their lives. The teacher was positive and never gave up. By having the best teacher and being educated they started to see what life has to offer and that there is something out there for them once they follow the right path. The students with the help of the teacher started to behave in a positive manner by dressing appropriate, respecting one another and realizing that the gang world has one end which is either death or jail. Education and most importantly the attitude of the teacher is what allowed these students to open their eyes and be exposed to bigger and nice things that the world has and that they can enjoy only through being educated and changing their way of living. It was amazed to see how one teacher can impact students lives, one teacher can play and important role in a student life.
I could not have said it better Ms.Muhammad, we should all strive to be exemplary professionals just like Ms. Gruwell. It is important for us as teachers to get to know our students and do our best to build well rounded individuals. We must be realistic about the different background and stories that they bring to our classes and find ways to break the barriers in order to assist them in achieving their maximum potential.
AS teachers we are entrusted with the students that are in our class. It is imperative that we do our utmost best so as to reach and teach them. Watching the movie helps to reinforce the role of an effective and efficient teacher. When students enter our class, they enter with different life stories, but when they leave they all should have the same visions of their future.
Miss Gruwell has a great impact in the lives of her students. The students moved from the victim mentality to an empowered mentality. They were living in a culturally diverse environment. However, they were taught how to eliminate their prejudices and become more tolerant of people with different ethnic groups or backgrounds. As we have observed education has allowed them to understand and explore different cultures. Education has also allowed them to develop interpersonal relationship and learn from the experience of others. As the freedom writers group starts to experience success in their lives they start to build confidence and they increased their positive self -image. Therefore, education can alleviate some of the poverty we encounter and is often a paramount to future success.
Totally agree with what you said Ms. Gomez. I have my own experiences within the school I am presently teaching. I try my very best to empower my students to change their mentality because most of them have been brought up in a negative environment. When students share their experiences, I try to use their experiences as examples as a stepping stone for them to break that negative cycle. This has been proven because there are a lot of powerful and positive leaders within our own country who have been successful and who have broken the barrier of poverty.
“Intelligence plus character is the goal of true education”; Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A person only knows the world in which they are exposed to and can see. Hence the reason these characters were limited to what the world had to offer and were exiled in their own concept of life in which they were nurtured. Mrs. Gruwell’s aim was to first build character and then educate these young men and women so they were able to aspire for positive goals; which most of them achieved by finishing college and lived positive lives. Character was displayed in the courtroom scene when the young woman decided to tell the truth which consequentially convicted the right person for the supermarket murder; despite the pressure from her family and other people from her cultural group on her to lie. These students went from being likely menaces to society to citizen that learn how to appreciate and respect people, property, the world and most importantly the values of life and its offerings. I strongly believe Mrs. Gruwell displayed expert teaching skills working with her students changing their entire attitude and skills towards learning. She blossomed with her students; teaching them to learn each other and to respect norms, values, and beliefs of others cultures. This particular “Expert Teacher” demonstrated a glimpse of the special effects that can be manifested when a teacher makes their student feel special by providing equitable attention, care and positive inspiration.
Elvis, you made reference to the strenght of the teacher. She demonstrated the perfect example of what the characteristics of a real teacher or educator should be. She displayed courage, value and love for her work, and the drive for success. All of the aforementioned were her ammunition in educating and moulding the minds of her students. Affirming them a bright future. Her students were able to feed from her and they in turn yearned for more of the good life had to offer and worked very hard to get it.
I strongly agree with Tera. After watching this movie Freedom Writer, I was so amazed about these characters to get their education and have a positive attitude. In today’s society, we would need more teachers like Miss Gurel, especially how our youths are bombarded with many negative influences.
So true Ms. Bishop. With all the negative songs and movies that are made...it is a challenge for teachers to stand in front of the classroom and teach. Students are not interested in school. All they want to do is "hang out" and socialize. They do not want to do class nor home assignments. They are focused more on what is happening around them and get the latest in fashion and technology. Teachers have to be even more creative in the classroom and try to use these technological changes as an advantage in order to compete with the negativity.
I concur Ms. Bishop and Ms. Trapp right now in our society most students are not into school they are bombarded with the technology that they aren’t interested in school or their school work. They are not focused. I believe that measures should be put in place to help these students appreciate and value education. We should take the time out to turn this negativity into something positive and get with the times rather than competing. We must be creative.
Education is to train the mind and its abilities. The minds of the characters in the movie Freedom writers became trained through the drive of a young and inexperienced teacher who simply wanted to educate. This act brought about a change and a new perspective on life itself for a class of troubled teenagers with no hope of a tomorrow. Through positive exposure of a world apart from the one they had known and was used to, they were able to realize that there was more to life than the conditions they were faced with. Education therefore was the essence to shaping and creating a better future for each of the characters. They became motivated to make that change and turn away from a life on the streets, from a life of crime and from a life of violence. Their lives became more hopeful, their attitude became more promising, and their future became more bright. By simply making the change to be receptive of a more positive state of higher learning.
Education played an important role in the characters’ lives only after the persistence of their teacher Mrs Gruwell. The students were present daily, but no one could have reached them due to their behaviour and attitude towards school and their teachers, as well as the teachers’ attitude towards the students. As a result of Mrs Gruwell’s dedication to her job she made a difference in the student’s lives. She was able to change their entire mind set towards each other as well as showing them the importance of school for their future. This just goes to show, as teachers we should take our job seriously to the point of making significant changes for the improvement of our students’ lives, regardless of the challenges we face.
The movie is inspirational because it demonstrates the power of a teacher, who despite her inexperience was able to transform the attitudes and lives of her students. It was through commitment, that Mrs. Erin Gruwell begins to understand her students and find ways to show them and accept their self worth. Her educational strategies did not only develop them academically, but it also built them socially and morally. The students begin to accept each other and the inter racial disparity begins to dissipate and thus they begin to understand and display proper ethical values. Education should be one that develops well rounded individuals and it can only be achieved if educators are passionate about their careers as the main character in the movie.
As seen in the movie, and by Mrs Gruwell's assiduous committment for the young students' education, they were able to overcome fears, doubts and even friction among themselves, through self-acceptance which allowed them to perform well academically, socially and regain moral standards.
In the movie Freedom Writers, education greatly improved the lives of the characters. Mrs. Gruwell strived to teach her students to be independent critical thinkers instead of following norms of society. Through independent critical thinking, the students question what they were told instead of taking things at face value. Furthermore, critical thinking allowed the students to be academic successful. The students were able to identify connections between facts and activities done by Mrs. Gruwell and formulate their own thoughts. Finally, critical thinking allowed the students to get along with students of various ethnicities and they also realize that bullying needed to be halted. The students were able to expand their social circles and be more tolerant of each other resulting in greater harmonious interactions. Education also empowered the students to shape their own destiny. Mrs. Gruwell, like many teachers, did a lot of positive reinforcement, was passionate about students learning, and did a lot of activities which she was not paid to do. These resulted in the students’ change in attitude and their drive to learn and be successful in school. Education truly empowers students to be successful.
I believe that education does help to improve the lives of the characters because it gives them a sense of acceptance and independence. Young people these days need a lot of encouragement to be themselves and not afraid to say and write how they feel without being judged by others. This gives both them self confidence and self worth which makes them feel proud about themselves and who they really are.
Education does improve the lives of young people by awarding them both a sense of acceptance and independence, so that they can take part in the building of a dignified society and contribute towards this common goal, through earning an education.
Education does empower a person and gives them a strength and confidence in their actions and words. As conformists of a sad gang story, these students were as mindless zombies; ready to walk, scream and fight what their leaders told them. As they are educated in the movie and their eyes opened, their identity forms. The students are aware of choices and decisions they actually play an active part in, and that initially their destiny depends on themselves and how far they are willing to persevere.
The movie “Freedom Writers” is an inspiring movie for all educators. The teacher in the movie Ms. G exemplifies a true teacher. She sacrificed her life for her students because she saw the potential in them that others didn’t. This movie highlights the various issues students maybe experiencing and brings to light some of the reasons for students’ negative behavior in class and poor academic performance. The result of a hard working and dedicated teacher was that her students finally had a reason for believing in themselves and overcoming their own demons which was holding them back from achieving greatness. The teacher did what many failed to do and that was to motivate her students. On the other hand, this movie brings into perspective the fact that when students are stereo typed either by the society or the education system itself, it has an impact on students who are considered not academically incline and just “passing through the system”. As educators we should give all students a fighting chance to grow and reach their maximum potential, only then have we truly succeeded at educating our students. Education and the inspiring teacher was life saving for most of those students who finally realized that they can make a difference and that education does inspire the mind and helps to chart your destiny.
It is true to say that Ms. Gruwell made many sacrifices for her students. When I see the sacrifices she made, I beg to wonder how many teacher s in our classrooms today make sacrifices for their students. How many of them take time to just talk to their students and ask them how they are feeling? How many of them help a student with their homework because they know when that student goes home, no parent will be there to help them? While it is not asked that our entire salary should be spent on our students, the little things such as a sticker, a smile, a little token of appreciation does go along way and it does make a great impact that student's life.
A new teacher working at a multi-cultural school environment brings many challenges. In her class there were students who are from different ethnic group; African- American, Hispanic, American, and Asian. During the movie one could have seen how students are separated themselves based on their ethnics. It is natural to feeling suspicious toward each other, evidence shown that students do not have good attitude in socializing with people who are different. Students are not interested in their education. They do not want to change their lives due to their surroundings that influence them to stay like that and not to change. Because of this condition, the teacher goes to all lengths to change students’ way of life.
Her first action to change her students’ way of life is to breach the gap amongst her students. Since the students in the class sit based on their ethnic group her changing that was a lesson that teaches us that we can all get along and have the same issues no matter our culture. Evidence of this was when she drew a line on the floor and asked questions to the class. The policies at the school have bad effects on the future of the students. Therefore, seeing this she wants to change those policies that are not benefitting the students. Her altruism, love, and empathy help her in reaching her goal. Changing her teaching strategy to meet the needs of the students, help her to reach and teach her class. Being a teacher is not only to teach the curriculum, it is also real life situation. Teaching is not the formal curriculum it is also the informal which will be with the students for the rest of their lives. "We in a war. We graduating every day we live because we ain’t afraid to die protecting our own. At least when you die for your own, you die with respect, you die a warrior."
I do agree that the difference in race is a major issue in the lives of the students in the movie. Human beings often fear what is different. Consequently, people tend to become defensive and territorial when they are exposed to the ‘unknown’ or what they do not understand. This explains why the students showed animosity towards each other. They were unable to see each other for who they actually were. Eventually, the students actually ended up realizing that they were all living similar lives. They realized that regardless of how they looked, they had similar struggles in life. Ms. G showed them this through the game of walking to the line. She asked different questions and the students were able to see how much they related to each other. This awareness, which was made possible due to the informal teaching of Ms. G, allowed them to let their guard down allowing positive socialization and learning to take place.
The students in the movie, Freedom Writers, were initially full of anger and hate for one another. This was their coping mechanism for their internal hurt and sadness. When the students began to actually give in to learning, it actually opened their eyes to what was out there beyond their school and neighborhood. They realized that they were living in a microcosm of chaos and that they had the potential to be more than what they originally thought they could be. They even began to exceed the expectations of others. I believe the use of the Holocaust was a perfect event in History to educate the students about because it took place on the other side of the world long ago and yet the students could have related to it. The fact that the Holocaust was much more terrible than the lives they lead actually gave them hope for themselves and pushed them to learn.
Well said, Ms. Hyde. The students were full of hurt and resentment which led to them not even wanting to hear from a new teacher. The important thing was that the teacher caught their interest when she started to talk about things they can relate to in their family or neighborhood. I believe that since Ms. G stayed true to who she really is, the students started to feel comfortable which allowed them to open up. The learning took place daily all because of the teacher's communication skills, caring and love towards her students.
I agree with Tabby Hyde, the students were consumed by their way of life, by the microcosm of chaos as she puts it. This was what they were born into; they met the war in process. Coping was their living, the mechanisms they used are only human: conform to the violence or be destroyed by it, live or die… Human nature is to survive, so conform they did. Mrs. Gruwell helped the students see their potentials through the connection with crucial historical events. The students, after their visit to the museum and their meeting with the author of Anne Frank Diary, they realized that even with their pains, emotional and physical, it was possible to overcome, dream of more for themselves.
Lisa Williams Education is the key to success. As I view the movie “Freedom Writers’’ education didn’t seems to be important in the lives of the characters’ lives, until they meet Ms Gruwell. Ms G. as she was called was a very dedicated individual who puts her student’s interest first despite the little resources she had. The characters in the movie came from all walks of life each had a different story to tell, she didn’t have the expertise to deal with some of the issue the students come with but that didn’t stop her. Due to her passion for teaching she was willing to go the extra mile to make her students successes. With her by their side the students were willing to do their part to improve their education. Sometimes all they need is for someone to show that they cared and that just what Ms G did.
I agree that sometimes showing how much you care is all these students need to turn their lives around. Ms. G was willing to open her heart and really listen to the pain these students experienced in their homes and that gave them a fighting chance in a system that turned their backs on them for far too long. In order to see transformation of students, we all need to be a little more like Ms. G.
I, Kevin Forrester, second this motion, Sovania. I am even noticing this more at my own high school. Students are opening up more and more to me because they see that I really do care. I might not be able to take on as much jobs as Mrs. G did to financially support the educational goals of the poverty stricken students, but I can give a listening ear, an encouraging word, or a needed lunch here and there to those who really need it. I thank God for this encouraging film.
Education helped to improve the lives of the characters, because they were able to understand the importance of it. Students were able to analyze their individual situations and realize that if they should succeed in life they needed to change their way of thinking and behavior. Writing gave students the ability to express their inner emotions, reading help them to expand their mental capability, which lead them to appreciate the work of other people and their teacher. Education offered them a way out of the situations which they were growing accustoms to and had them strive wanting and achieving better both academically and socially.
I do agree that education does improve the characters’ lives, but that can only happen if the teacher is willing to go the extra mile to improve their student’s education.
By expanding their capability and opening doors for other new opportunities, education does give the lives of these students a fighting chance. knowing that 'the streets' and gang warfare is not something they had no choice in, but an obstacle they could overcome.
I agree with you Althea, teachers play a major role through education building students’ attitude, and shaping their lives. Helping students to see and know what they want to be and have a deeper sense of appreciation for education, being independent and wanting better for themselves
Tera, the teacher did play a major in her students life, being able to reach them mentally in spite of many challenges; however they embracing the challenge to want better was a major accomplishment on their part.
Education is the key to success. As I view the movie “Freedom Writers’’ education didn’t seems to be important in the lives of the characters’ lives, until they meet Ms Gruwell. Ms G. as she was called was a very dedicated individual who puts her student’s interest first despite the little resources she had. The characters in the movie came from all walks of life each had a different story to tell, she didn’t have the expertise to deal with some of the issue the students come with but that didn’t stop her. Due to her passion for teaching she was willing to go the extra mile to make her students successes. With her by their side the students were willing to do their part to improve their education. Sometimes all they need is for someone to show that they cared and that just what Ms G did.
A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others. Mrs. Gruwell was a young and clueless teacher, yet enthusiastic about her teaching job. She went above and beyond the call of her duty. For example, she bought them books for journals, she visited their homes, she gave advice, and much more. She managed to let her students discover the importance of education by guiding them and not forcing them. She connected her lessons to what they can relate to: drugs, crime, neglect, etc. The movie included teens from all walks of life but in the end it portrayed that education helped to improve the lives of the characters. They started to write, participate more in class and even decided to change their perspective on life. The students did not only learn academics, though that is important, but they learned how to be a family. The teacher's love spreads to them and they then learned to first love themselves, then love their "enemy" classmates and finally, love and cherish the opportunity they have to rise above the situations they are faced with. The teacher's role in students’ lives is important because we are perceived as role models. Ms. G. saw potential in her students so she put forth effort when the other teachers saw them as failures. A person's environment should not determine what will become of him or her in the future. Ms. G. laid the foundation of education for her students and it was up to them to continue building on that. They did; and they were successful - They were called the "Freedom Writers".
I agree as Ms. Gruwell has done what a lot of teachers do not do today, they do not go ABOVE AND BEYOND. Many teachers believe that just standing in front of a classroom, reciting work will get over to the students. There is more chalk and talk lessons than interactive hands on lesson with real life connections and examples. The use of videos, field trips, journals and guest speakers helped these students to see they they can be educated in many different ways. Ms. Gruwell helped to understand that just like how they faced struggles in life, other people throughout history (such as the holocaust survivors) had to fight their way to a better life... just like many of them.
While the high school curriculum was important for the teenagers of Room 203 to grasp, these students were so consumed in gang warfare and backlash of a previous civil unrest. To first know the importance of an education, the students must had to first recondition their minds and believe that there was more for them in life than the vicious cycle they were born in. The students were shown one way of life by their neighbors and people in their community. In every way the students were taught division of some sort, whether racial, as seen with the Asian, Latino, and African American separations; grouping by gangs, or gender, as in Sindy and her mother.
Eva: I don't even know how this war started. It's just two sides that tripped each other way back. Who cares about the history behind it? I am my father's daughter, and when they call me to testify, I will protect my own, no matter what.
Sindy: During the war in Cambodia, the camps stripped away my father's dignity. He sometimes tries to hurt me and my mom. I feel like I have to protect my family.
To first get the students to even respond to her, Mrs. Gruwell had to observe the community and do some individual research on the lives of her students. The dramatic biography of her students became the first clue in finding a ray of prosperity in her quest. With her new found knowledge and education, Mrs. Gruwell then dug deeper, using knowledge or education by ‘experience’ to become the rolling stone in unifying the students. After being brainwashed into thinking that they were so different, through a series of exercises, the students realized that their battles had similar roots, their customs were the same, and for the first time ‘someone may actually be on their side’. Books such as Shakespeare and The Diary of Anne Frank were used to have the students relate some unfair trials of history to situations the characters were presently facing, fighting their battle in other ways. Now unified by the very same thing that once fatally separated them (crime and gang warfare), the students were free to explore a new outlook on life; one they were once blind and ignorant to, until educated.
Tanyan Whyte’s view that the socialization of the main characters instilled a deep feeling of segregation is well illustrated. She pointed out that Eva, who witnessed such horrific violence at very young age, was tainted to believe that she had to protect the ‘familia’ because ‘family’ must protect ‘family’ as no one else does. Her experience with her father having been cuffed and carried off to prison for a crime that he did not commit made her even more bitter toward other races especially the white people and thus protective of her own. Tanyan Whyte is right when she discusses the teacher’s method that lead to the characters sharing their life experiences, which contributed to their poor attitudes and behaviors. The writing of journals was beneficial for Mrs. G as it gave her deep insight into the internal and external struggles of her students which lead her to reach them on levels no one had ever done before. She created the environment conducive to their learning, instilling the great appreciation of the education they received and hence the admiration given to her by her students. The students were able to tell their own stories, releasing them psychologically of the burdensome pains that accompany the misery of their lives. They saw the similarities between each other and the characters in the book Anne Frank Diary, which Mrs. G had purchased for each of them. This climax in the characters’ lives lead to their new outlook, the appreciation for education.
While some may not see it at first, the classroom is a home away from home and the students become brothers and sisters in the care of a surrogate mother - the teacher. Often, students come to the classroom with their own problems, their own beliefs, their own clique of friends (in and out of the classroom) and their own agendas. It is therefore, the teacher who helps the students to think of themselves as a family instead of a group of people together for a couple hours of the day. That is what Ms. Gruwell brought to these students - a sense of belonging and a sense of family. While she was not accepted at first, because she was a straight laced white woman who really didn’t have anything in common with them, through her initiatives the students began to see that she was not just a cookie cutter teacher like every other teacher who overlooked them as a group of hoodlums who would not amount to anything. Ms. Gruwell was able to open their eyes and educate them on the struggles many of them had in common. Many of them faced discrimination because of color of their skin, the community they came from and the cliques they ran with. Through different activities Ms. Gruwell was able to break down the students’ defenses and have them see and understand that everyone in that classroom was hurting and wishing for someone to believe they can be the type of students every teacher wishes for. Through nontraditional classroom activities such as the tape line on the floor where they saw how many of them lost friends to gun violence, fundraising to invite Miep Gies to share her stories during the time of the holocaust to sharing an intimate dinner with survivors of the holocaust, these students were able to see that throughout history, there were people just like them who faced life changing struggles and even died in process. Through these activities and selfless acts of charity the students were able to see themselves in a different light as they were educated by people who faced life changing situations. Holding them accountable for their own feelings by giving the notebooks to write their thoughts and feelings, the students were able express themselves in a way they had never done before. These writings gave them a change to reflect on whatever made them feel like they were the forgotten few. Marcus gave up gang violence and asked to come home, Eva testified and told the truth forgoing the consequences and Ben the predominant white male student in the class put away his fears for being a classroom with mostly black students. When it was all said and done, this one classroom (Room 203) with that crazy nontraditional teacher, Ms. Gruwell, made a lasting impact on the students, one they shared for 4 life altering years of their lives.
In life it is very hard for struggling individuals to stop and think that maybe their not the only ones going through such challenges but as teachers it is our role to open the eyes and the minds of our students so that they can acknowledge others around them and try their best not to judge but rather support and love. Ms. Gruwell taught them to trust and strive for better in life and like you mention made a lasting impression on those students.
Throughout our teaching profession, we will come across students that come from backgrounds we never imagine exist and environments that no child should endure and wonder how they have the strength to be sitting in your classroom. The answer is very simple; they have realized that education is the only way out of the conditions their living in and the only way they can be free from the negative system plaguing them. Such realization comes with the help of strong and willing teachers like Ms. Erin who can find unique ways of allowing students to express their feelings in order to overcome their struggles and live together. Education is an empowerment weapon that Ms. Erin equipped those students with through reading and writing in order to increase their chances of survival in the real world. Education allowed them to view each other as more than the color of their skin or racial status. Education created lasting relationships that they never embraced among themselves until they meet Ms. Erin. She showed them how education is their only opportunity to change their destiny.
Teachers are the corner stone and backbone of educational system. The underlining to this story is that we need to do what it takes to get out job done even if we have to go into our pockets to get the necessary stationery to get the job done. Mrs. G took on extra work so as to get her job done also Sacrifice her personal life for these students, now how many of us are willing to do such a feat. All in all teachers are the ones’ to open the door of success for students to enter and succeed.
Students were aware of the lack of hope and the expectation of failure within their lives and so they too lived without prospects. Mrs Gruwell showed them the many similarities of their experiences of pain and loss such that they were eventually able to appreciate and even respect each other within the classroom and beyond. Their lives were impacted deeply as they began to feel hope for a future, life beyond age 18. A culture of tolerance was cultivated by the teacher. One student was moved to humble himself, realizing that he needed his mother to help while he changed his life. Another made choices to not sell drugs. They all felt the sense of belonging in room 203. They learned to trust those from the different culture, race and ethnic groups. They were even able to connect with the character, Anne Frank, in the book that the teacher purchased for them (new).
I, Kevin Forrester, completely agree with you, Shakira. It is amazing that I posted my blog and then saw that you posted some of the exact sentiments that I had toward the positive effect that Mrs. G's lessons had on the downtrodden lives of her students. She literally took them under her wings and raised them up. This movie inspired me to be a more genuine teacher. Although my students are not as bad as those in the movie, they still face pretty much the same issues: gangs, drugs, and racial tension. I thank God for teachers with a heart.
I, Kevin Forrester, saw the positive effects of education in the lives of the outcast students (the minority groups: Latinos, African American, and Asian). The Teacher, Mrs. G, offered them educational opportunities that opened their minds to one of the biggest racial conflicts in the past, Hitler and his regime's plans and execution of the cleansing of the Jewish people. Although it cost Mrs. G a lot to offer her suffering students this opportunity, her heart was all for the interest of the students. This experience caused the class members, who were at each others' throats, to develop a deep, long lasting bond and greater support for each other. I also admired the lesson that Mrs. G taught them using the line of red tape on the classroom floor. It really touched the deepest parts of the hearts of the students. It caused them to realize the common losses and pains that they shared (which also engendered greater respect for each other). This was a very realistic and heart moving film. It generated hope in the actors and the viewers for a more racially tolerant world through genuine education.
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ReplyDeleteThis independent nature inspire them to become the freedom writers, which is very unique and really shows that you do not need to sacrifice your life to gain or own respect.
DeleteLorna Bishop How does education help to improve the lives of the characters? We all know that children must entitle to a good Education. Education has been the most reliable path to a better life. For these children in the movie Freedom Writers Education help to improve their lives. They will have a better quality life, and also access to good jobs. Mrs Gruwell brings students together by teaching them about the Holocaust. Mrs Gruwell have trust and respect for these children, she never give up on them, despite the fact she have struggle with her family especially her husband. Because of Mrs Gruwell courage it really paid off for her with a sense of accomplishment in her career. Mrs Gruwell brings joy and makes a big difference in these students’ lives.
DeleteThere are so much things that can be seen from this story on the perspective of a teacher. The interactive classroom makes a better learning environment as the teacher encourage and make the students to participate as equal partners in an ongoing discovery process.The education also occurred out of the classroom when they did their field trip and met people of history. The teacher aid the students to change their mentality about how they are. The concept was that they are the only one holding them self back from being successful.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that the teacher cared enough about her students that she fought for what she believed that they deserved even when they did not believe it themselves. She went and bout them new books when the administration refused to give them to her. She also found books that they could relate to on a personal level. The fact that she cared enough to not give up on them like everyone else i believe made the difference in the lives of the students.
DeleteThe teacher did play a major role in the lives of these students. They were always seen as the ones who “weren’t going to make it in life”; the out casts. They believed this and so didn't care about school or their education. Mrs. Gruwell changed all that. She was passionate about what she taught. She gave them the opportunity to become academically successful. She used different technique and methods like the journal writing and brought book the students could relate to . This in the end convinced the students that they are important and in charge of their own destiny.
DeleteI agree that the teacher contributed tremendously to the education of these characters. Your posting showed a positive teacher/students relationship.
DeleteI support what you are saying Mimi.The teacher made a big difference in students' education. They were able to apply what they learn at school in their every day life. They students were the ones who had the power to make the change. Ms. G was mainly there to guide them.
DeleteThe behind the scenes workings that the teacher did in order to be able to have her students get what they needed to be successful, is in my opinion remarkable. I know many people and I am sure that none of them would work three jobs in order to pay for their main job. The passion is undeniable and the results were amazing.
Deletei agree, if it wasn't for this particular teacher, these student would have wrote a piece, or identify themself as an independent learner, yes they were he ones holding themselves back no one else
DeleteI agree with Althea that the teacher was important in the students’ positive development. This group of students was seen as the “problem” group, the ones who couldn’t learn. I don’t think that they were but it was the fact that none of the other teacher cares enough about the problems that these students were facing outside of the classroom, so none of them were able to relate to the students. Mrs. Gruwell saw the need to show the them that she cared and believed in them. This is very important to children or teenagers, making them feel like they are worthy of the finer things in life.
DeleteI must agree with the view Althea put forward in singling out the teacher for her tremendous work in reaching out and impacting the lives of each of the youths in her class. She displayed strong personality traits for success and victory. I also must say Mrs. Gruwell displayed exceptional character and strength by compromising her very own marriage and happiness for the job she love and enjoys doing, educating.
DeleteEducation helps to improve the lives of the characters because it helps them to develop independent thinkers who are committed to moral principals in their lives, and who are likely to do the right thing even under challenging circumstances. An example of this would be when a student went to court to identify who killed the man that was shot in the supermarket. The teacher on the other hand also helps to shape the lives of the students. She interacts with her class every day at school. A lot of activities were done to help students see the important things of live. The teacher allows the students to express themselves by making them write anything that they want in the notebook. The students' attitudes were different at the end of the movie. They were able to realize the value of live and the importance of their education. This would have been impossible if they did not have a good teacher who love and care for them.
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the movie we were also able to see that they were willing to fight for what they believed they deserved. When they realized that they teacher would not be with them for their junior and senior years they were willing to stand up to the administration. They were not willing to get what they want by breaking the law (what they are use to) but by talking to someone in authority or by protesting. They realized that the teacher believed in them and their success and they wanted to keep that positive role model in their lives for the rest of their high school lives.
DeleteI concur Tera, as without her none of their accomplishments would have been fulfilled. The fact that Mrs. G sacrificed her home lief for what she thought those kids deserved was truly remarkable and allowed us to see what true passion is like. To live with so much passion everyday, I wonder if it would be exhausting. This movie allowed us to see first hand where interactive strategies combined with support beyond the classroom is more than effective.
DeleteI must agree also, values and morals are to be very important aspects in students life and their learning development. Mrs. Gruwell provided emotional support and set the foundation for students to become successful and productive students. She provide novels that students were able to make connections and relate to what the character in the novel was experiencing. With that, one of the females was able to develop the courage to speak the truth which was the right thing to do. This caused her to sacrifice her relationship with her own kind to save another.
DeleteI strongly agree with what you have stated, Mrs. G had a great impact in changing the lives of these students. She guided and shaped them morally and emotionally. Of course, it was a difficult task for her, but it was evident that she was a good role model and had displayed leadership, aspiration and measurable progress. Best of all, her approach had nurtured the students lives in a positive way.
DeleteI agree with you Tera, the teacher did play a major in her students life, being able to reach them mentally in spite of many challenges; however they embracing the challenge to want better was a major accomplishment.
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ReplyDeleteEducation helped to improve the lives of the characters because it allowed them to realize that they can be more than what the system is dictating that they are. The system expects that they will be in school up to a certain age then drop out and become another statistic by either being in prison be by being killed. When the students actually started to learn they started to believe in themselves and to see that there is a better life out there for them than what they have been living. They started to make better decisions and started to respect each other and those in authority. These are things that these students would never have done before. For example, when the young lady was testifying in court she made the choice to tell the truth despite the consequences she might face. There is another example with the young man who went to ask his mother for forgiveness because he was tired of the street life and was ready to do the right thing. Education allowed them to see that there was a life beyond what they knew and were use to and they wanted that life and was now working towards achieving that life.
ReplyDeleteYou have brought forward some positive effects that education impacted on the lives of the characters. Your posting identified an improved process from being naive to knowledge and well rounded. It was definitely a changed future for these characters.
DeleteI agree with what you are saying Kimberly. Educatioon gave students a chance to be critical thinkers. They were able to able to apply what they learn at school. The students were able to make logical decisions in their lives. The young lady who testify in court chose to tell in truth. She did the right thing because an innoncent young man could have spent his life in jail for something that he did not do. The other young man also made a good decision. He asked for forgiveness because he knew that the life which he was living was not the best choice.
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DeleteI would like to add to your comments, Kimberly. The characters in the movie “Freedom Writers” reminded me of our students’ right here in Belize. Many of them struggle with poverty, being in gangs,
Deletenot knowing where there next meal is coming from and all the other negativity that was portrayed in this movie. Teachers need to instill in our children that it is possible to make something of themselves despite what has happened in the past. Our past does not dictate our future. Youth in Belize need caring teachers to show them the way, to guide and be there for them. I know for sure, that many teachers in Belize go beyond the call of duty and I applaud those who do so. Keep up the good work teachers of Belize.
Karen Cain
I fully agree and the reality is that as educators we have students who face some of these same problems.It only goes to show that with education you can change the world one student at a time. Wonderful perspective on the movie!!!
DeleteThe main goal of education is to foster ethical, responsible and caring young people along with emphasis on values that we all share. This was brought out in the movie freedom writers. In the beginning of the movie the students hated each other since they were from different cultural background. They didn’t communicate with each other. Each of them had their own problems to deal with. Nobody believed in them except Mrs. Gruwell. This showed that that the teacher in the classroom plays an important role in fostering the values of education and helping in improving lives.
ReplyDeleteMrs. G was dedicated and devoted to her students. She went beyond to help these students regardless of the challenges she faced. The teacher developed strategies to boost the students and had them taking part in class activities. She was able to convince them that each of them is important and that unity is power. They struggles to improve their own lives think and were able to encourage each other. This example clearly shows that in order for education to improve character a teacher must first be dedicated and determined and believe in each one of their students.
Yes Ms. Palacio we share the same sentiments. I also, believe the main goal of the education system is to foster ethical, responsible and learning. Everyone has the right to an education despite his or her races , culture or sex. Thus, as I mention Before on Mrs. Tera Adolphus comment, it is very important for us to have moral values and standards and this is what fuel Mrs. Gruwell to be the dedicated teacher she was. She saw the need for change and she started by establishing TEAM building in her classroom which causes students to become united and comfortable. As to what one of the male characters in story mention. ROOM 203 was a place where everyone vibe and understood each other.
DeleteI agree with you Althea , teachers play a major role through education building students’ attitude, and shaping their lives. Helping students to see and know what they want to be and have a deeper sense of appreciation for education, being independent and wanting better for themselves. Mrs. G gave up a lot for her students, this can be seen right here in Belize. Teachers sacrifice so much for their students sometimes becoming a single parent.
DeleteThe story “Freedom Writers” shows that education can improve lives. In the beginning, the characters overall self esteem was low and they sacrificed education to engage in the negatives in the streets which was their norm for survival. Education improved their communication skills and developed interactive learning through their socialization with varying cultural groups. Learning was effective as was evident during the sharing of the different beliefs, myths, traditions and norms. The teacher, against all odds of the school system, had a great impact in the education process of these characters as she created an environment conducive for learning and also showed that she believed in them.
ReplyDeletewith all that said and done, it was the teacher's main goal, to create a learning environemnt thats welcoming and like you said she bellieved in them that was what kept her going
DeleteIn addition to what was stated, Mrs. G displayed qualities of being an effective teacher. She uses all efforts to boost student’s achievement and reduce negative behaviors. She also build moral intelligence as a key element to have them choose what’s right and to make a difference in their crucial lives. As a teacher, I must say that meaningful and successful change takes time. It is also important to consider that in order to make a positive change we should “Think big. Start small. Move slowly”. Do you agree?
DeleteThe student's background and cultural upbringing affected their socialization and self esteem. Ms. Marin, I agree that it was the environment that the teacher created that assisted these students to become better students and individuals.
DeleteI concur with your comments as many teachers face deplorable and challenging learning environments. However, with consistent effort and perseverance, many teachers are able to create a student-friendly learning environment. Once the enabling environment is created, learning will occur.
DeleteYes education can improve lives, but as I mention that can only takes place if the teacher is dedicated to his/her students as was portrayed by Ms Gruwell in the movie ‘’Freedom Writers’’. She had her students best interest at heart.
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ReplyDeleteAccording to the characters from the movie "Freedom Writers" their sense of belonging is fostered by their teacher. She demonstrates warmth and openness, and her supportive teaching styles helps to increase student interest to allow and help students find that education has a meaningful value. In addition to that, the teacher also helps children feel that they are also valued members in the classroom and around their environment. Teachers have a lot to do to a certain degree of motivation. Ms. G behavior and positive interactions have a large effect on the student changes. She had accomplished a stepping stone in their lives meaningfully and build positive practices that will help them cope with the different kinds of challenges the will face on a daily basis. In conclusion to this, I would strongly state that teachers have a strong impact on their students, because they are entrusted with the development of their students.
ReplyDeleteI strongly agree with Miss Berry. Miss G has been very instrumental and has provided considerable time to help motivate her students. She has encouraged them to see each other as human beings rather than Latinos, Black, Asian, or white. She has helped them to become more philosophical about the situation and to take the steps into improving their environment
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DeleteLorna Bishop. I agree too with Miss Gomez. Miss G. arrived in the class and don't know what type of students she would have to deal with. The first few days was a disaster for her when she discovered who her students were. Miss G. came up with a lot of ideas to build a relationship with her students and also teach them on a level to have a good relationship with each other. The students saw Miss G. care for them, especially when she took her own money and purchased the book gang violence for them. These children was interested in reading the book because gang violence is what they live through everyday. Teachers that have attitude like Miss G. will definitely become a role model for children.
DeleteI also agree with your statement,teachers do play an important role in fostering and nuturing students. We need to develop an attitide like Miss G. to gain our student's confidence.
DeleteI agree with Ms.Berry it shows that as teachers we play an important role in the lives of the students who are entrusted in our care and we can make a positive difference in their lives.
DeleteI do agree that the warm and open support that the teacher gave the students was a large contributor to the drive of the students to learn. Being that the students were uninterested in learning primarily, it was the difference in how they were treated that allowed them to open themselves to learning. Human beings are social beings who naturally want to feel like they have a purpose. I am in agreement of the fact that teachers do have a strong impact on their students. If students are treated as if they are not important or unwanted they will not care about their lives or the lives of others. This was what was evident in the movie. However, until Ms. G treated them as if they meant the world to her, they began to believe in themselves and were driven to learn.
DeleteThe movie “Freedom Writers” is a great movie about teaching and it reveals the importance of creating a teacher-student relationship. It was noted that in the movie, the students discovered lasting values such as self-acceptance, responsibility, and solidarity. This was due to Mrs. Gruwell’s enthusiastic and committed approach. Mrs. Gruwell’s never-ending attempts to reach to her students despite the difficulties she encountered and her desire to help them succeed are definitely inspiring. Mrs. G truly reflects what exactly a teacher is, to believe in herself and allow her students to believe in them, as key to success in education.
ReplyDeleteI agree wholeheartedly with your comments Jordan, I too think that Mrs. Gruewell was a remarkable teacher. She triumphs against all odds to bring those kids around, but she also paid a huge price, when her marriage broke up.
DeleteKaren Cain
I agree with Jordan’s take on the importance of teacher-student relationship and getting to know your students. Mrs. G was these students’ strength and inspiration; she made them believe in their-selves, gave them a sense of identity in her eyes, she wanted them to make positive strive in life. The super quality that Mrs. G posses that shines like a diamond in this movie would be the skill to have these youths embrace self-acceptance, responsibility and solidarity. She holds the key to education and all it took was the right attitude she demonstrated.
DeleteMathematically Thinking
If a - z represent 1 – 26
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
Attitude = 1 + 20 + 20 + 9 + 20 + 21 + 4 + 5 = 100
Then, Attitude = 100%
True ststement, we do need to develop a teacher-student bond to show students the importance of themselves as a part of society. Teach them life skills to pass on to the next generation and break the cycle of angry incompetent individuals in society.
DeleteI strongly agree with Jordon's comments. Education is not only about academics. It also involves teaching and demonstrating positive values. The movie emulates Mrs. Gruwell and the students’ values. At the conclusion of the movie, through empowerment of education, the students learnt and showcased positive values.
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ReplyDeleteThe students in the movie “Freedom Writers” were basically from gang infested neighborhoods, where poverty and hardship reigns. It was truly amazing to watch the movie and saw how education helped to improve the lives of the characters in the film. It was clear that the other school teachers and administrators had written off these students and they were stereotyped as not being able to succeed at anything in life. Hilary Swank, whom played the part of the dedicated teacher started to teach the youngster the value of an education. This was done simply by journaling their experiences with violence in their environment. In addition, she thought them about the writings of Anne Frank, the holocaust and about Zlata's Diary: A Child's Life in Sarajevo. Slowly but surely, these stories were the catalyst that made the students began to understand the true meaning of tolerance and compassion. They began to embrace those other students who were their enemies and started to initiate the changes within themselves a little at a time. For quite a long time, it has always been said that “education is the key to success.” This was definitely the case in this movie. Karen Cain
ReplyDeleteEducation improved the lives of the characters by making them aware that they were masters of their own destiny and that without believing in themselves nothing would get done. The fact that the student who was living in a hole in the wall went home to his mom and told her he didn't want to be in the streets or the gang anymore. Really showcased how knowledge is power, for before he was ignorant to the fact that he could change his life after embracing Mrs G and her teachings he made the right choice. He went on college, without the education he received that would never have been a possibility. Education truly is the doorway to a better life and a better you.
ReplyDeleteEducation is the key to success, without it we won't be able to say what the future holds for us. The teacher Mrs. G made her class a friendly, and welcoming learning environment for her students. She expose them to different writings an books which made them become interested inlearning and made them independent and critical thinkers, that later showed in the piece that they wrote. The movie shows the teachers play an important role in what student would want to do. Education is very important and it determins how ones future will be.
ReplyDeleteIndeed Felciia as teachers we do play an important role in our students lives. It is interestign that teachers are the ones who creates doctors, lawyers as well as gang leaders when we give up and say "Im tired of this student". Everyday students come to school and we have no idea what is happening at home, but as our duty we are to show them the bright light and how their future can change by getting their education.
DeleteMs. Garbutt you are so right. Education has a lot to do with our future. Regardless of our background we can become well rounded individuals and be skillful and knowledgeable. As the saying states, "A good education translates to excellent networking".
DeleteMs. Garbutt you are so right. Education has a lot to do with our future. Regardless of our background we can become well rounded individuals and be skillful and knowledgeable. As the saying states, "A good education translates to excellent networking".
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At first the education system had low expectations and discriminated against the students because they were considered to be delinquent and underprivileged students that the education system in L.A gave up on. During this period they were given damage and unattractive books to use. These factors had affected the student’s academic performance critically. It did not motivate them to want to learning or capture their interest to participate in class discussions. Nonetheless, the introduction of the very optimistic young teacher Mrs. Gruwell had surely impacted and improved the personal stigma and discrimination against the students in Room 203. Mrs. Gruwell has implemented many charitable integrated programs that has influence the students to change they the way they think, behavior and perform academically. By doing so, she first addressed the conflicts and social issues that were in her class; which causes them to become united, comfortable and interested in learning. Thus, one of these main strategies for them to express themselves and for her to get to know was the journal writing. This allows students to be able to share very personal and distributing issues that were affecting them on an everyday bias. Therefore, Mrs. Gruwell really shows hope for the quote “no child is left behind”.
ReplyDeleteThis shows that as teacher we play a significant role in our students lives. It was the teacher who impacted their lives and as Shanika mentioned the journals allowed the teacher to actually realize what her students are going through. She never gave up as other did; and this is what a teacher should do: Dont give up. Infact Ms. Gruwell changed the curiculum to to suit their needs. These are the kind of teachers that society needs, that Belize needs to change students attitude and open their eyes as to what life has to offer.
DeleteShamika and Cristal, you both hit the nail on the head! Most of the children in this generation are not being serious about their academics because of the various factors that distract them from focusing; therefore, the teachers should take on the responsibility to go beyond in order to reach the students individual needs. It is important as teachers that we understand where our students come from (without judging) so as to reach out to them and know where to guide them so they can have a better future. Ms. Gruwell was much more than academics, she helped her students to turn their lives around with hard work and dedication; definately more of what we need in Belize to see better progress.
DeleteIf the school did not take these children seriously, how were they ever expected to see any potential in themselves. The poor condition of the books and lack of interest shown a few times in the movie indicates that the administrators of the school tolerated the students to confine them rather than to truly educate them. It had to take the outside and open minded view of Mrs. Gruwell to convince both parties that the other is worth believing in. The school was given a reason to fund a better education for the students of 203; and the students were given a reason to believe in a system again.
DeleteI truly believe that the education system failed the students as they were already doomed to failure and this created a negative environment for all. The students were doomed because they were not provided with the necessary tools for success. The teacher had to take it upon herself to purchase materials that aided in the progress of the students. The students initially only trusted their peers from their own ethnic/racial group because that was their comfort zone. Those people gave them the support they needed whether it was good or bad. Education helped to improve the lives of the characters because once they realized that they could excel, their self-confidence improved thus creating a positive environment. Poverty places a major role in the academic in the characters’ lives because students were unable to function without the basic needs. Gangster life becomes the status quo as the students do what they see and peer- pressure is crucial at their stage of development.
ReplyDeleteI concur with Kimberly as the teacher was the determining factor that brought about a positive environment for the students even though the dismal situations plaguing the society. Teacher wittily brought students to the level where they were able to inherently strive for success and used the past as a learning experience that definitely would not impede a brighter future.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ines. The supportive nature of the teacher was the determining factor that allowed the students to reflect on their own lives and thus set the pace for a meaningful future. Clearly, the teacher placed herself in her students’ shoes so as to get a deeper understanding of how to help them and in fact creating that smooth transition in a comfort zone that benefitted both herself and the students.
ReplyDeleteMiss Gruwell has a great impact in the lives of her students. The students moved from the victim mentality to an empowered mentality. They were living in a culturally diverse environment. However, they were taught how to eliminate their prejudices and become more tolerant of people with different ethnic groups or backgrounds. As we have observed education has allowed them to understand and explore different cultures. Education has also allowed them to develop interpersonal relationship and learn from the experience of others. As the freedom writers group starts to experience success in their lives they start to build confidence and they increased their positive self -image. Therefore, education can alleviate some of the poverty we encounter and is often a paramount to future success.
ReplyDeleteYou are right. The students’ interpersonal relationship skills did blossomed tremendously and this happened because they became more confident in themselves. The journals that they had to keep were very significant to this change in their behaviors and attitudes. The student having to share felling and ideas in the classroom was a strategy that the teacher used to expose them to each other’s feeling in return allowing them to learn to respect each other’s differences.
DeleteI enjoyed this movie very much. It was inspiring and it gives me greater comfort to know that young people no matter their ethnicity or socioeconomic status can be reform through dedication, love and most importantly education. In this movie, education had a positive impact on the students’ lives. The students went from being hostile and disrespectful, not knowing how to communicate their feeling, ideas and emotions to each other or the people around them to young men and women who felt comfortable writing and sharing their feeling openly. Getting educated help them to gain the self worth and values that were lacking in them before. For instance, Maria who had witnessed a crime being committed by one of her own family members and was expected to lie on his behalf was able to tell the truth no matter the consequences. It could have been seen that the students all wanted to be better than what they were before meeting this dynamic teacher Mrs. Gruwell who inspired them to become the ”Freedom Writer”.
ReplyDeleteFor me personally, Mrs. Gruwell is the kind of teacher that I am striving to become. Seeing herself as the vessel for change in her students lives not through teaching strictly curriculum but by incorporating real life experiences (pains and successes) within context of the curriculum and helping them to understand that they hold the key to living better lives than what the streets were forcing them to live.
The movie Freedom Writers highlights the importance of education in our lives. It shows that education can change someone’s life significantly. In the movie it is clearly seen that the teacher was the one who contributed significantly in their lives. The teacher was positive and never gave up. By having the best teacher and being educated they started to see what life has to offer and that there is something out there for them once they follow the right path. The students with the help of the teacher started to behave in a positive manner by dressing appropriate, respecting one another and realizing that the gang world has one end which is either death or jail. Education and most importantly the attitude of the teacher is what allowed these students to open their eyes and be exposed to bigger and nice things that the world has and that they can enjoy only through being educated and changing their way of living. It was amazed to see how one teacher can impact students lives, one teacher can play and important role in a student life.
DeleteI could not have said it better Ms.Muhammad, we should all strive to be exemplary professionals just like Ms. Gruwell. It is important for us as teachers to get to know our students and do our best to build well rounded individuals. We must be realistic about the different background and stories that they bring to our classes and find ways to break the barriers in order to assist them in achieving their maximum potential.
DeleteAS teachers we are entrusted with the students that are in our class. It is imperative that we do our utmost best so as to reach and teach them. Watching the movie helps to reinforce the role of an effective and efficient teacher. When students enter our class, they enter with different life stories, but when they leave they all should have the same visions of their future.
DeleteMiss Gruwell has a great impact in the lives of her students. The students moved from the victim mentality to an empowered mentality. They were living in a culturally diverse environment. However, they were taught how to eliminate their prejudices and become more tolerant of people with different ethnic groups or backgrounds. As we have observed education has allowed them to understand and explore different cultures. Education has also allowed them to develop interpersonal relationship and learn from the experience of others. As the freedom writers group starts to experience success in their lives they start to build confidence and they increased their positive self -image. Therefore, education can alleviate some of the poverty we encounter and is often a paramount to future success.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with what you said Ms. Gomez. I have my own experiences within the school I am presently teaching. I try my very best to empower my students to change their mentality because most of them have been brought up in a negative environment. When students share their experiences, I try to use their experiences as examples as a stepping stone for them to break that negative cycle. This has been proven because there are a lot of powerful and positive leaders within our own country who have been successful and who have broken the barrier of poverty.
Delete“Intelligence plus character is the goal of true education”; Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A person only knows the world in which they are exposed to and can see. Hence the reason these characters were limited to what the world had to offer and were exiled in their own concept of life in which they were nurtured. Mrs. Gruwell’s aim was to first build character and then educate these young men and women so they were able to aspire for positive goals; which most of them achieved by finishing college and lived positive lives.
ReplyDeleteCharacter was displayed in the courtroom scene when the young woman decided to tell the truth which consequentially convicted the right person for the supermarket murder; despite the pressure from her family and other people from her cultural group on her to lie. These students went from being likely menaces to society to citizen that learn how to appreciate and respect people, property, the world and most importantly the values of life and its offerings.
I strongly believe Mrs. Gruwell displayed expert teaching skills working with her students changing their entire attitude and skills towards learning. She blossomed with her students; teaching them to learn each other and to respect norms, values, and beliefs of others cultures. This particular “Expert Teacher” demonstrated a glimpse of the special effects that can be manifested when a teacher makes their student feel special by providing equitable attention, care and positive inspiration.
Elvis, you made reference to the strenght of the teacher. She demonstrated the perfect example of what the characteristics of a real teacher or educator should be. She displayed courage, value and love for her work, and the drive for success. All of the aforementioned were her ammunition in educating and moulding the minds of her students. Affirming them a bright future. Her students were able to feed from her and they in turn yearned for more of the good life had to offer and worked very hard to get it.
DeleteI strongly agree with Tera. After watching this movie Freedom Writer, I was so amazed about these characters to get their education and have a positive attitude. In today’s society, we would need more teachers like Miss Gurel, especially how our youths are bombarded with many negative influences.
ReplyDeleteSo true Ms. Bishop. With all the negative songs and movies that are made...it is a challenge for teachers to stand in front of the classroom and teach. Students are not interested in school. All they want to do is "hang out" and socialize. They do not want to do class nor home assignments. They are focused more on what is happening around them and get the latest in fashion and technology. Teachers have to be even more creative in the classroom and try to use these technological changes as an advantage in order to compete with the negativity.
DeleteI concur Ms. Bishop and Ms. Trapp right now in our society most students are not into school they are bombarded with the technology that they aren’t interested in school or their school work. They are not focused. I believe that measures should be put in place to help these students appreciate and value education. We should take the time out to turn this negativity into something positive and get with the times rather than competing. We must be creative.
DeleteEducation is to train the mind and its abilities. The minds of the characters in the movie Freedom writers became trained through the drive of a young and inexperienced teacher who simply wanted to educate. This act brought about a change and a new perspective on life itself for a class of troubled teenagers with no hope of a tomorrow. Through positive exposure of a world apart from the one they had known and was used to, they were able to realize that there was more to life than the conditions they were faced with. Education therefore was the essence to shaping and creating a better future for each of the characters. They became motivated to make that change and turn away from a life on the streets, from a life of crime and from a life of violence. Their lives became more hopeful, their attitude became more promising, and their future became more bright. By simply making the change to be receptive of a more positive state of higher learning.
ReplyDeleteEducation played an important role in the characters’ lives only after the persistence of their teacher Mrs Gruwell. The students were present daily, but no one could have reached them due to their behaviour and attitude towards school and their teachers, as well as the teachers’ attitude towards the students. As a result of Mrs Gruwell’s dedication to her job she made a difference in the student’s lives. She was able to change their entire mind set towards each other as well as showing them the importance of school for their future. This just goes to show, as teachers we should take our job seriously to the point of making significant changes for the improvement of our students’ lives, regardless of the challenges we face.
ReplyDeleteThe movie is inspirational because it demonstrates the power of a teacher, who despite her inexperience was able to transform the attitudes and lives of her students. It was through commitment, that Mrs. Erin Gruwell begins to understand her students and find ways to show them and accept their self worth. Her educational strategies did not only develop them academically, but it also built them socially and morally. The students begin to accept each other and the inter racial disparity begins to dissipate and thus they begin to understand and display proper ethical values. Education should be one that develops well rounded individuals and it can only be achieved if educators are passionate about their careers as the main character in the movie.
ReplyDeleteAs seen in the movie, and by Mrs Gruwell's assiduous committment for the young students' education, they were able to overcome fears, doubts and even friction among themselves, through self-acceptance which allowed them to perform well academically, socially and regain moral standards.
DeleteIn the movie Freedom Writers, education greatly improved the lives of the characters. Mrs. Gruwell strived to teach her students to be independent critical thinkers instead of following norms of society. Through independent critical thinking, the students question what they were told instead of taking things at face value. Furthermore, critical thinking allowed the students to be academic successful. The students were able to identify connections between facts and activities done by Mrs. Gruwell and formulate their own thoughts. Finally, critical thinking allowed the students to get along with students of various ethnicities and they also realize that bullying needed to be halted. The students were able to expand their social circles and be more tolerant of each other resulting in greater harmonious interactions.
ReplyDeleteEducation also empowered the students to shape their own destiny. Mrs. Gruwell, like many teachers, did a lot of positive reinforcement, was passionate about students learning, and did a lot of activities which she was not paid to do. These resulted in the students’ change in attitude and their drive to learn and be successful in school. Education truly empowers students to be successful.
I believe that education does help to improve the lives of the characters because it gives them a sense of acceptance and independence. Young people these days need a lot of encouragement to be themselves and not afraid to say and write how they feel without being judged by others. This gives both them self confidence and self worth which makes them feel proud about themselves and who they really are.
ReplyDeleteEducation does improve the lives of young people by awarding them both a sense of acceptance and independence, so that they can take part in the building of a dignified society and contribute towards this common goal, through earning an education.
DeleteEducation does empower a person and gives them a strength and confidence in their actions and words. As conformists of a sad gang story, these students were as mindless zombies; ready to walk, scream and fight what their leaders told them. As they are educated in the movie and their eyes opened, their identity forms. The students are aware of choices and decisions they actually play an active part in, and that initially their destiny depends on themselves and how far they are willing to persevere.
DeleteThe movie “Freedom Writers” is an inspiring movie for all educators. The teacher in the movie Ms. G exemplifies a true teacher. She sacrificed her life for her students because she saw the potential in them that others didn’t. This movie highlights the various issues students maybe experiencing and brings to light some of the reasons for students’ negative behavior in class and poor academic performance. The result of a hard working and dedicated teacher was that her students finally had a reason for believing in themselves and overcoming their own demons which was holding them back from achieving greatness. The teacher did what many failed to do and that was to motivate her students.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, this movie brings into perspective the fact that when students are stereo typed either by the society or the education system itself, it has an impact on students who are considered not academically incline and just “passing through the system”. As educators we should give all students a fighting chance to grow and reach their maximum potential, only then have we truly succeeded at educating our students.
Education and the inspiring teacher was life saving for most of those students who finally realized that they can make a difference and that education does inspire the mind and helps to chart your destiny.
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DeleteIt is true to say that Ms. Gruwell made many sacrifices for her students. When I see the sacrifices she made, I beg to wonder how many teacher s in our classrooms today make sacrifices for their students. How many of them take time to just talk to their students and ask them how they are feeling? How many of them help a student with their homework because they know when that student goes home, no parent will be there to help them? While it is not asked that our entire salary should be spent on our students, the little things such as a sticker, a smile, a little token of appreciation does go along way and it does make a great impact that student's life.
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ReplyDeleteA new teacher working at a multi-cultural school environment brings many challenges. In her class there were students who are from different ethnic group; African- American, Hispanic, American, and Asian. During the movie one could have seen how students are separated themselves based on their ethnics. It is natural to feeling suspicious toward each other, evidence shown that students do not have good attitude in socializing with people who are different. Students are not interested in their education. They do not want to change their lives due to their surroundings that influence them to stay like that and not to change. Because of this condition, the teacher goes to all lengths to change students’ way of life.
Her first action to change her students’ way of life is to breach the gap amongst her students. Since the students in the class sit based on their ethnic group her changing that was a lesson that teaches us that we can all get along and have the same issues no matter our culture. Evidence of this was when she drew a line on the floor and asked questions to the class. The policies at the school have bad effects on the future of the students. Therefore, seeing this she wants to change those policies that are not benefitting the students. Her altruism, love, and empathy help her in reaching her goal. Changing her teaching strategy to meet the needs of the students, help her to reach and teach her class. Being a teacher is not only to teach the curriculum, it is also real life situation. Teaching is not the formal curriculum it is also the informal which will be with the students for the rest of their lives.
"We in a war. We graduating every day we live because we ain’t afraid to die protecting our own. At least when you die for your own, you die with respect, you die a warrior."
Marcus (Freedom Writers)
I do agree that the difference in race is a major issue in the lives of the students in the movie. Human beings often fear what is different. Consequently, people tend to become defensive and territorial when they are exposed to the ‘unknown’ or what they do not understand. This explains why the students showed animosity towards each other. They were unable to see each other for who they actually were. Eventually, the students actually ended up realizing that they were all living similar lives. They realized that regardless of how they looked, they had similar struggles in life. Ms. G showed them this through the game of walking to the line. She asked different questions and the students were able to see how much they related to each other. This awareness, which was made possible due to the informal teaching of Ms. G, allowed them to let their guard down allowing positive socialization and learning to take place.
DeleteThe students in the movie, Freedom Writers, were initially full of anger and hate for one another. This was their coping mechanism for their internal hurt and sadness. When the students began to actually give in to learning, it actually opened their eyes to what was out there beyond their school and neighborhood. They realized that they were living in a microcosm of chaos and that they had the potential to be more than what they originally thought they could be. They even began to exceed the expectations of others. I believe the use of the Holocaust was a perfect event in History to educate the students about because it took place on the other side of the world long ago and yet the students could have related to it. The fact that the Holocaust was much more terrible than the lives they lead actually gave them hope for themselves and pushed them to learn.
ReplyDeleteWell said, Ms. Hyde. The students were full of hurt and resentment which led to them not even wanting to hear from a new teacher. The important thing was that the teacher caught their interest when she started to talk about things they can relate to in their family or neighborhood. I believe that since Ms. G stayed true to who she really is, the students started to feel comfortable which allowed them to open up. The learning took place daily all because of the teacher's communication skills, caring and love towards her students.
DeleteI agree with Tabby Hyde, the students were consumed by their way of life, by the microcosm of chaos as she puts it. This was what they were born into; they met the war in process. Coping was their living, the mechanisms they used are only human: conform to the violence or be destroyed by it, live or die… Human nature is to survive, so conform they did. Mrs. Gruwell helped the students see their potentials through the connection with crucial historical events. The students, after their visit to the museum and their meeting with the author of Anne Frank Diary, they realized that even with their pains, emotional and physical, it was possible to overcome, dream of more for themselves.
DeleteLisa Williams Education is the key to success. As I view the movie “Freedom Writers’’ education didn’t seems to be important in the lives of the characters’ lives, until they meet Ms Gruwell. Ms G. as she was called was a very dedicated individual who puts her student’s interest first despite the little resources she had. The characters in the movie came from all walks of life each had a different story to tell, she didn’t have the expertise to deal with some of the issue the students come with but that didn’t stop her. Due to her passion for teaching she was willing to go the extra mile to make her students successes. With her by their side the students were willing to do their part to improve their education. Sometimes all they need is for someone to show that they cared and that just what Ms G did.
ReplyDeleteI agree that sometimes showing how much you care is all these students need to turn their lives around. Ms. G was willing to open her heart and really listen to the pain these students experienced in their homes and that gave them a fighting chance in a system that turned their backs on them for far too long. In order to see transformation of students, we all need to be a little more like Ms. G.
DeleteI, Kevin Forrester, second this motion, Sovania. I am even noticing this more at my own high school. Students are opening up more and more to me because they see that I really do care. I might not be able to take on as much jobs as Mrs. G did to financially support the educational goals of the poverty stricken students, but I can give a listening ear, an encouraging word, or a needed lunch here and there to those who really need it. I thank God for this encouraging film.
DeleteEducation helped to improve the lives of the characters, because they were able to understand the importance of it. Students were able to analyze their individual situations and realize that if they should succeed in life they needed to change their way of thinking and behavior. Writing gave students the ability to express their inner emotions, reading help them to expand their mental capability, which lead them to appreciate the work of other people and their teacher. Education offered them a way out of the situations which they were growing accustoms to and had them strive wanting and achieving better both academically and socially.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that education does improve the characters’ lives, but that can only happen if the teacher is willing to go the extra mile to improve their student’s education.
DeleteBy expanding their capability and opening doors for other new opportunities, education does give the lives of these students a fighting chance. knowing that 'the streets' and gang warfare is not something they had no choice in, but an obstacle they could overcome.
DeleteI agree with you Althea, teachers play a major role through education building students’ attitude, and shaping their lives. Helping students to see and know what they want to be and have a deeper sense of appreciation for education, being independent and wanting better for themselves
ReplyDeleteTera, the teacher did play a major in her students life, being able to reach them mentally in spite of many challenges; however they embracing the challenge to want better was a major accomplishment on their part.
ReplyDeleteEducation is the key to success. As I view the movie “Freedom Writers’’ education didn’t seems to be important in the lives of the characters’ lives, until they meet Ms Gruwell. Ms G. as she was called was a very dedicated individual who puts her student’s interest first despite the little resources she had. The characters in the movie came from all walks of life each had a different story to tell, she didn’t have the expertise to deal with some of the issue the students come with but that didn’t stop her. Due to her passion for teaching she was willing to go the extra mile to make her students successes. With her by their side the students were willing to do their part to improve their education. Sometimes all they need is for someone to show that they cared and that just what Ms G did.
ReplyDeleteA good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others. Mrs. Gruwell was a young and clueless teacher, yet enthusiastic about her teaching job. She went above and beyond the call of her duty. For example, she bought them books for journals, she visited their homes, she gave advice, and much more. She managed to let her students discover the importance of education by guiding them and not forcing them. She connected her lessons to what they can relate to: drugs, crime, neglect, etc. The movie included teens from all walks of life but in the end it portrayed that education helped to improve the lives of the characters. They started to write, participate more in class and even decided to change their perspective on life.
ReplyDeleteThe students did not only learn academics, though that is important, but they learned how to be a family. The teacher's love spreads to them and they then learned to first love themselves, then love their "enemy" classmates and finally, love and cherish the opportunity they have to rise above the situations they are faced with.
The teacher's role in students’ lives is important because we are perceived as role models. Ms. G. saw potential in her students so she put forth effort when the other teachers saw them as failures. A person's environment should not determine what will become of him or her in the future.
Ms. G. laid the foundation of education for her students and it was up to them to continue building on that. They did; and they were successful - They were called the "Freedom Writers".
Jennylee
I agree as Ms. Gruwell has done what a lot of teachers do not do today, they do not go ABOVE AND BEYOND. Many teachers believe that just standing in front of a classroom, reciting work will get over to the students. There is more chalk and talk lessons than interactive hands on lesson with real life connections and examples. The use of videos, field trips, journals and guest speakers helped these students to see they they can be educated in many different ways. Ms. Gruwell helped to understand that just like how they faced struggles in life, other people throughout history (such as the holocaust survivors) had to fight their way to a better life... just like many of them.
DeleteWhile the high school curriculum was important for the teenagers of Room 203 to grasp, these students were so consumed in gang warfare and backlash of a previous civil unrest. To first know the importance of an education, the students must had to first recondition their minds and believe that there was more for them in life than the vicious cycle they were born in. The students were shown one way of life by their neighbors and people in their community. In every way the students were taught division of some sort, whether racial, as seen with the Asian, Latino, and African American separations; grouping by gangs, or gender, as in Sindy and her mother.
ReplyDeleteEva: I don't even know how this war started. It's just two sides that tripped each other way back. Who cares about the history behind it? I am my father's daughter, and when they call me to testify, I will protect my own, no matter what.
Sindy: During the war in Cambodia, the camps stripped away my father's dignity. He sometimes tries to hurt me and my mom. I feel like I have to protect my family.
To first get the students to even respond to her, Mrs. Gruwell had to observe the community and do some individual research on the lives of her students. The dramatic biography of her students became the first clue in finding a ray of prosperity in her quest. With her new found knowledge and education, Mrs. Gruwell then dug deeper, using knowledge or education by ‘experience’ to become the rolling stone in unifying the students. After being brainwashed into thinking that they were so different, through a series of exercises, the students realized that their battles had similar roots, their customs were the same, and for the first time ‘someone may actually be on their side’. Books such as Shakespeare and The Diary of Anne Frank were used to have the students relate some unfair trials of history to situations the characters were presently facing, fighting their battle in other ways. Now unified by the very same thing that once fatally separated them (crime and gang warfare), the students were free to explore a new outlook on life; one they were once blind and ignorant to, until educated.
Tanyan Whyte’s view that the socialization of the main characters instilled a deep feeling of segregation is well illustrated. She pointed out that Eva, who witnessed such horrific violence at very young age, was tainted to believe that she had to protect the ‘familia’ because ‘family’ must protect ‘family’ as no one else does. Her experience with her father having been cuffed and carried off to prison for a crime that he did not commit made her even more bitter toward other races especially the white people and thus protective of her own.
DeleteTanyan Whyte is right when she discusses the teacher’s method that lead to the characters sharing their life experiences, which contributed to their poor attitudes and behaviors. The writing of journals was beneficial for Mrs. G as it gave her deep insight into the internal and external struggles of her students which lead her to reach them on levels no one had ever done before. She created the environment conducive to their learning, instilling the great appreciation of the education they received and hence the admiration given to her by her students. The students were able to tell their own stories, releasing them psychologically of the burdensome pains that accompany the misery of their lives. They saw the similarities between each other and the characters in the book Anne Frank Diary, which Mrs. G had purchased for each of them. This climax in the characters’ lives lead to their new outlook, the appreciation for education.
While some may not see it at first, the classroom is a home away from home and the students become brothers and sisters in the care of a surrogate mother - the teacher. Often, students come to the classroom with their own problems, their own beliefs, their own clique of friends (in and out of the classroom) and their own agendas. It is therefore, the teacher who helps the students to think of themselves as a family instead of a group of people together for a couple hours of the day.
ReplyDeleteThat is what Ms. Gruwell brought to these students - a sense of belonging and a sense of family. While she was not accepted at first, because she was a straight laced white woman who really didn’t have anything in common with them, through her initiatives the students began to see that she was not just a cookie cutter teacher like every other teacher who overlooked them as a group of hoodlums who would not amount to anything.
Ms. Gruwell was able to open their eyes and educate them on the struggles many of them had in common. Many of them faced discrimination because of color of their skin, the community they came from and the cliques they ran with. Through different activities Ms. Gruwell was able to break down the students’ defenses and have them see and understand that everyone in that classroom was hurting and wishing for someone to believe they can be the type of students every teacher wishes for.
Through nontraditional classroom activities such as the tape line on the floor where they saw how many of them lost friends to gun violence, fundraising to invite Miep Gies to share her stories during the time of the holocaust to sharing an intimate dinner with survivors of the holocaust, these students were able to see that throughout history, there were people just like them who faced life changing struggles and even died in process. Through these activities and selfless acts of charity the students were able to see themselves in a different light as they were educated by people who faced life changing situations.
Holding them accountable for their own feelings by giving the notebooks to write their thoughts and feelings, the students were able express themselves in a way they had never done before. These writings gave them a change to reflect on whatever made them feel like they were the forgotten few. Marcus gave up gang violence and asked to come home, Eva testified and told the truth forgoing the consequences and Ben the predominant white male student in the class put away his fears for being a classroom with mostly black students.
When it was all said and done, this one classroom (Room 203) with that crazy nontraditional teacher, Ms. Gruwell, made a lasting impact on the students, one they shared for 4 life altering years of their lives.
In life it is very hard for struggling individuals to stop and think that maybe their not the only ones going through such challenges but as teachers it is our role to open the eyes and the minds of our students so that they can acknowledge others around them and try their best not to judge but rather support and love. Ms. Gruwell taught them to trust and strive for better in life and like you mention made a lasting impression on those students.
DeleteThroughout our teaching profession, we will come across students that come from backgrounds we never imagine exist and environments that no child should endure and wonder how they have the strength to be sitting in your classroom. The answer is very simple; they have realized that education is the only way out of the conditions their living in and the only way they can be free from the negative system plaguing them. Such realization comes with the help of strong and willing teachers like Ms. Erin who can find unique ways of allowing students to express their feelings in order to overcome their struggles and live together. Education is an empowerment weapon that Ms. Erin equipped those students with through reading and writing in order to increase their chances of survival in the real world. Education allowed them to view each other as more than the color of their skin or racial status. Education created lasting relationships that they never embraced among themselves until they meet Ms. Erin. She showed them how education is their only opportunity to change their destiny.
ReplyDeleteTeachers are the corner stone and backbone of educational system. The underlining to this story is that we need to do what it takes to get out job done even if we have to go into our pockets to get the necessary stationery to get the job done. Mrs. G took on extra work so as to get her job done also Sacrifice her personal life for these students, now how many of us are willing to do such a feat. All in all teachers are the ones’ to open the door of success for students to enter and succeed.
ReplyDeleteStudents were aware of the lack of hope and the expectation of failure within their lives and so they too lived without prospects. Mrs Gruwell showed them the many similarities of their experiences of pain and loss such that they were eventually able to appreciate and even respect each other within the classroom and beyond. Their lives were impacted deeply as they began to feel hope for a future, life beyond age 18. A culture of tolerance was cultivated by the teacher. One student was moved to humble himself, realizing that he needed his mother to help while he changed his life. Another made choices to not sell drugs. They all felt the sense of belonging in room 203. They learned to trust those from the different culture, race and ethnic groups. They were even able to connect with the character, Anne Frank, in the book that the teacher purchased for them (new).
ReplyDeleteI, Kevin Forrester, completely agree with you, Shakira. It is amazing that I posted my blog and then saw that you posted some of the exact sentiments that I had toward the positive effect that Mrs. G's lessons had on the downtrodden lives of her students. She literally took them under her wings and raised them up. This movie inspired me to be a more genuine teacher. Although my students are not as bad as those in the movie, they still face pretty much the same issues: gangs, drugs, and racial tension. I thank God for teachers with a heart.
DeleteI, Kevin Forrester, saw the positive effects of education in the lives of the outcast students (the minority groups: Latinos, African American, and Asian). The Teacher, Mrs. G, offered them educational opportunities that opened their minds to one of the biggest racial conflicts in the past, Hitler and his regime's plans and execution of the cleansing of the Jewish people. Although it cost Mrs. G a lot to offer her suffering students this opportunity, her heart was all for the interest of the students. This experience caused the class members, who were at each others' throats, to develop a deep, long lasting bond and greater support for each other.
ReplyDeleteI also admired the lesson that Mrs. G taught them using the line of red tape on the classroom floor. It really touched the deepest parts of the hearts of the students. It caused them to realize the common losses and pains that they shared (which also engendered greater respect for each other). This was a very realistic and heart moving film. It generated hope in the actors and the viewers for a more racially tolerant world through genuine education.