Monday, November 10, 2008
Per.3 Freedom Writers Question
Before answering this post, read the post on the Red Suit and Pearls. Today, you saw the teacher ask her students if they were aware of the Holocaust after she saw an ugly picture being passed around the class. Why do you think she asked her students if they had ever discussed the Holocaust? Did you think it was important for her to have asked her students that question? In the beginning of the film, you saw Ms. Gruwell's department head suggest that she not to wear her pearls to class. We noticed today that she's still wearing them. Is it important and if so - why?
You will make a reflective comment to these questions and then make a comment on at least one other student's comment. Remember only to use your first name and the initial of your last name. You have until 9:00pm today to register your comments.
Mr. Gallagher
19 comments:
I think that she started talking to her students about the holocaust to show them the potential consequences of their actions. Only by learning about what others like them have done can the students realize their own futures. After all, those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. The pearls, I think, are a symbol of Ms. Gruwell's hope and respect for her student, which she refuses to relinquish. She is determined to help the students, and to trust them. No suggestion from the department head will change her mind
I agree with tim's comment and also believe that she asked the students if they knew what the Holocaust was to see how far their actions could take them in the wrong direction.
I think she started talking about the Holocaust because the students can kinda relate to it, with the gangs and the pictures. Yah, I think it was important that she asked her students, because they can relate and it's a big part of history that they should know about. I think it's important that she's still wearing the pearls because it shows that even with all the bad things she's seen take place at the school, she still wants to trust them and make a difference.
And I agree with both Tim and Emily, as well.
I believe that the teacher questioned the students on what the Holocaust was because she didnt know if they understood how what their harsh actions were reflected everyone else. Sense the students were trying to get rid of everyone else, they didnt understand that it has been done before, the Holocaust. The students have seen the dangerous world they live in, getting shot at and always having to watch their backs, but they dont understand that they are part of small gangs and it gets much worse and even more violent. It is important that the teacher is still wearing the pearls because either she doesnt think anyone will steal them from her, or she thinks she will be able to change their worlds and make them into better kids.
I think that Ms. Gruwell's decision to diccuss the Holocaust was an important question. The main reason we learn history is so that we don't repeat it in the future. As we all know the Holocaust was not a good part of history, so Ms. Gruwell's talking about the Holocaust was most likely to make the kids realize that something small, such as a shooting, can have a very large outcome. Ms. Gruwell uses the Holocaust as an example for the kids and comparing it to their lives now. She wants her students to realize that just because they have racial differences and are different colors, doesn't allow the to just kill eachother. You could see this discussion really interested the students, they all were focusing on what Ms. Gruwell was talking about and had imput on the subject. Also when class ended all the students weren;t fighting like usual they just walked out silently, really affected by the conversation brought up in class.
I think that Ms. Gruwell's decision to wear her pearls even though the department head to her not to was an important decision. This choice shows that Ms. Gruwell has faith in her students and believes they are really good kids at heart, and wouldn't steal or ruin her pearls. This decision shows that Ms. Gruwell also trusts her students, and I think that this is something the department head should pay attention to and understand maybe the students aren't as bad as she expected. Another symbol the pearls could be that since Ms. Gruwell's father gave them too her, they mean a lot to her and maybe even make her feel somewhat protected.
Because a student in her class asked her what the Holocaust is, the teacher felt the need to ask the whole class if anyone knew anything about the Holocaust. No one, except a white student. Before she asked the question, she gave a great speech about the worst gang in the history of the world, the Nazis. Had the students known what she was talking about, they wouldn't have been proud of themselves or the Nazi "gang." She asked the question because she saw the students had no idea what she was talking about - they stared at her blankly.
It was important for her to ask the question, because it was only then did she see that many kids in the class had no interest to learn, just to fight with other gangs, and hope to die, being respected - sort of like a martyr.
In the beginning, the head of the English department suggested to Ms. Gruwell that she not wear her pearls to school. Ms. Gruwell did so anyway. That was her first act of defiance. She's taking the first step towards change and a better future for the school: she tries to trust the students. She thinks she can make a difference and help her students. Undoubtedly, she will.
I really like what Tim H has said about Ms. Gruewell talking about the Holocaust. Especially the "to show them the potential consequences of their actions" part. I agree with that.
Tim and Emily,
I thought that you guys both made great connections saying that the Holocaust could be a possible consequence of the student's gangs actions. Emily I also liked how you mentioned Ms. Gruwell's wearing her pearls reflected on her goal to help the kids and change their ways.
I think she disscussed the holocaust with her students because she wanted to show them how their actions could have serious consequences. The pearls show that she has faith and trust in her students and that they are actually good kids at heart. She doesn't want to listen to her department head ebcause she doesn't care about the students or try to ever help them succeed.
I agree with Tim when he said the pearls are a symbol of Ms. Gruwell's hope and respect for her students.
I believe that Ms. Gruwell asked her students if they new what the holocaust was becasue it was an important historical event and was also relating to the kids actions. i believe that it was important for her to ask her students about the holocaust because it's necessary for the kids to know what they're getting into. It is important that history doesn't repeat itself and that the students know what their actions can lead to.
I believe that it is important that Ms. Gruwell is still wearing the pearls. The pearls represent her courage to make a difference in her students life and her ambitions to do and make better.
I agree with Anna in that wearing the pearls is a step toward a better future and that they help remind that she can make a difference. I also agree with Cassandra because in the last scene we just watched you could notice how the students were interested in the Holocaust.
I think Ms. Gruewell is talking about the Holocaust because the kids sparked an interest in it. Only one kid, a white kid, had a clue what a holocaust was. She sees the connection between these children and their gangs to the holocaust. It is important that she talk about the holocaust because the kids feel a connection to the it and if she can show them the horrible things that racism did during the holocaust then she is one step closer to helping them make ammends and improve their lives.
I beleive Ms. Gruwell's department chair suggested that she not wear her pearls to class because she has given up on the kids. Ms. Gruwell continues to wear the peals. I think this is because she has faith that the students can change and that she can gain their trust. Shes not going to give up on them as easily as some of the other teachers.
I agree with Tim when he says that the students can learn about themselves by learning what others like them have done. To expand on that thought, the holocaust gives these students to learn from others mistakes. They have to learn from the past and not dwell on it. They can't let the racism surrounding them be their downfall and they need to rise above it. Ms. Gruwell is someone who is determined to help them do this.
Also, Nicole said that the holocaust is a big part of history. That comment made me think that learning about the holocaust will interest the students in their studies. The students said in the movie that teachers were babysitters and their schoolwork was a waste of time because they wont need it in their life. This will show them that learning about the past is not a waste of time, it is worthwhile and that other subjects an benefit them as well.
I agree, with Cassandra when she said, The main reason we learn history is so that we don't repeat it in the future. This is because she is absalutley rite. We do learn things in history so we dont repeat them.
I beleive that Ms. Gruewell asked her class if the new what the Holocaust was, because she wanted to no if her students new that what they are doing every day is excatly what happened before the Holocaust took place. Yes, i do beleive it is important that still today she is wearing her pearls. This is because if she went against her depatrtment head once, what would stop her from doing it again when it come to the books she wants to show her class.
holocaust:
i believe that she brought up the topic of the holocaust as a reference point to which the students could relate towards. although she had no knowledge that it would be an inefective reference point due to their lack of knowledge about what the holocaust is, knowledge which any ten year old knows if they went to our schools. although a valiant attempt at forming some relations with the students.
pearl and red dress:
i think that by wearing what she wears she is in defience of her department head's authority over her. she wears pearls which is about as stupid of a decision as any could make in the inner city. in the inner city people will mug you for no apparent reason except they feel like it, they would kill you for nothing.
in my experience in the OUTER city wack jobs walk the streets and you have to seriously try to find a good neighborhood for kids to grow up in. the city is no place to be wearing pearls.
although it is a valiant attempt at showing her trust. even if it makes no difference anyways.
i agree with tim and nicole in their view about the pearls although i find that i place a far more cynical view towards her actions. i find that they are of good intention but are stupid in their completion.
i agree with tim and nicole again in the fact that the topic of the holocaust was as it can often be used as a general reference point. the idea of using it as an example towards what could happen is also one that i agree with because it shows them the cost of their actions and causes them to consider their actions. i believe it may have sparked an interest in the students and an idea in the teacher. that idea would be to relate the topics towards the gangs in order to gain the attention of her students.
I think she used the holocaust as an example because what was happening to the school. The students wanted to do the same as the Nazis, by killing people they didn't like. If the fighting got out of hand, then a holocaust might occur. The pearls are her secuirity blanket because she wears them when she is new and scared. She does eventually take them off and she never puts them back on when she is ready to accept her students and be brave,
I agree with Nicole because the students do relate to it becuase of what is happening in their neighborhood.
I agree with Tim. I also belive that Ms. Gruwell asked if any of the students knew the holocaust because it seemed as though none of the students saw a more tough and terrible example of a gang besides their own.There was also nothing getting to them, they didn't seem to show any expressions when she talked about the holocaust. Giving an example to the students can make them see the terrible enviroment they had created. I also believe that Ms. Gruwell kept on wearing her pearls because it shows that she trusts her students not to judge her because of her pearls or dare to steal them.
I Disagree with Amanda B when she said the pearls were like a security blanket, because it seemed to me that she wore them more because she was stubborn, but also because of habit in some ways. I think she asked the class about the Holocaust because she was stunned that even one person didn't understand her reference to the Nazis. She assumed that because they were of high school level that they had already learned the subject, which further proves how little she comprehends her students lives.
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