In the beginning of the film,
The Freedom Writers, you saw Ms. Gruwell's department head suggest that she not to wear her pearls to class. We noticed later that she wore them anyway. Why do you think she ignored the advice? Also, you heard 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 - 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 to use your First Name and your Last Name!
30 comments:
After watching that film, I'd probably never want to be a teacher, especially if my first job would be at a high school similar to that one with kids fighting constantly, over the color of their skin and being gang members. I already knew about the LA riots that caused race wars, but what shocked me the most was how they took place in schools. Also if I were that teacher, I would have listened to the Department head, when she said not to wear the pearl necklace just in case something happened.
I think that Ms. Gruwell wore her pearls to class because its part of whom she is and she wanted to prove her department head wrong. The holocaust was a major event in our world’s history and by not knowing what happened and the significance of it you lack understanding of many of the ideologies of the world today.
I think it was good that she asked the class these kinds of questions during the “line game” because not only did it make them think about the questions but also see that they experienced the same things as some of the other kids in the class even from different “gangs”. The one that sticks out for me is when Ms. Gruwell asked if they had known anyone who died from gang violence and almost everyone knew at least someone. I think it gave them some perspective on life.
I thought the introduction to the movie was fantastic because it got you hooked and engaged in the story line which set up the actual story of the movie. I thought the movie did a great job in portraying all the different types of people in the neighborhood.
Pat,
I disagree with you, I would love to be a teacher and get the chance to prove not only my department, the school, but society wrong. I think everyone can be taught and have an education. I would have done what Ms. Gruwell did, by standing up for what she believed in and pushed the envelope on the situation.
After watching part of this movie today I wouldn't rule out wanting to become a teacher. I most likely would never work in a school district like the one portrayed in the movie. I think hillary swanks character never took off her pearl necklace because she wasn't affraid of what was gooing to happen to them. She knew the job was dangerous before she took it. So far I am really enjoying this movie because I think it shows accurately what happens in some places in america.
Pat,
I agree with you. I would never want to become a teacher in that school district. There are problems much greater then low scores and poor performance so education almost becomes a secondary issue where trying to live and having fear for your life is an everyday job.
I think that Ms. Gruwell wore her pearls to class because they're meaningful to her and part of who she is. I also thought that she did not think that the pearls would be to risky to wear in school. I think she asked the students if they were aware of what the Holocaust were because she wanted to know the extent on their knowledge on the Nazis, since it is such an important part of history.
I think Ms. Gruwell wore her pearls even after she was warned not to because she trusted the kids too much. I think she had a false sense of security because she has never been in any situation like the one she finds herself in. I also think that she was wearing them because of the emotional value (since her father gave them to her) and she is still trying to prove to him that she can handle this job. Ms. Gruwell believes that the Holocaust got started because of ideas like Social Darwinism, the idea that some humans are better than others. I think this is a very logical idea and it was important for her to ask her students, because they should be informed of what the Holocuast was. Maybe now they’ll be more perceptive when she warns them about respecting others. Stephanie, I agree with what you said about how the students should know about the history of the Nazis because it was a very important event.
I really enjoyed this film and I thought it showed the difficulties of teaching. Although teaching (especially in a school like that) is extremely hard, I think it would also be really rewarding and enriching experience if you were able to get through to the children. I really like how Mrs. Gruwell wore her pearls even though the advisor told her not to. She clearly still has atleast some amount of trust and faith in her students.
Brian, I agree with you that Mrs. Gruwell wore her pearls also to prove the department head wrong. I really like her spirit and persitence in this film because she's not afraid to stand up for what she believes in.
Freedom Writers is a new movie to me and so far I have really enjoyed it. The teachers first impression wasn't so great because she was wearing a pearl necklace, maybe a sign of her superiority towards the students. Anywhere else, she would be considered a great teacher because she wants to challenge the students to want to learn. The scene when the principle wouldn't let her take the Anne Frank books was upsetting because I know that it happens in schools across the country. This school is going through what most went through in the 1960's and 70's but at a much more violent time.
I was really affected after watching this film. I think that it gave a real like reincounter on how people can treat others just because what race they are. It is scary how this still can happen today.
Pat,
I agree with your comment. I dont really think i would ever want to be a teacher either. I think that the teacher went through a lot of problems that she didnt need to experience. However, at the same time i would love to make an impact on someones life like that.
This movie made a big impact on me and my life. I realized how lucky I am, and how fortunate my life is. I always knew of people who were less fortunate, but this movie does a great job of realistically portraying the lifestyle of a gang member or a child of poverty. Mrs. Gruwell shows great character in overcoming the odds to teach these kids and change the atmosphere of the school, and is a very likeable character. I am interested to see how this movie develops.
Freedom Writers.
I believe Ms. Gruwell ignored the advice of not wearing her pearls to class because she didn’t know what she was in for with the new teaching job she was taking on. I also believe she continued to wear them because she believed in the kids and had faith in them before she even knew them unlike the other teachers. I think Ms. Gruwell asked her students if they had ever discussed the Holocaust because it is similar to what is going on between each of the groups in the school and society. It is also important because it was one of the biggest genocides in the history of the world. I think it was absolutely important for her to ask her students about the Holocaust because it is something they should know about. It is a huge impact on our world today and one of the most horrible things that has ever happened to our world.
The department head advised her not to wear the pearls because she didn't trust the students not to try and steal it. I think Ms. Gruwell ignored her because she believed that they were all decent humans who wouldn't steal from her. I think that she made an excellent comparison between the gang wars and Nazi Germany, in that hatred would lead to the pointless deaths of so many people on both sides.
Nate,
I absolutely agree. You never realize how fortunate you are until you see the world through someone eles's eyes. It's crazy to see what these kids go through everyday and I couldn't imagine living through that. We are very lucky to be living in such a great town and have awesome opportunities.
I agree Sara. I think that teaching isn't always easy, but it is very rewarding lots of times.
I think that Ms. Gruwell wore her pearls because they meant a lot to her and I think it also has something to do with the faith she has in the students she teaches. It seems that all of the teachers at that school have lost hope for the students except for Ms. Gruwell. I believe that she asked the student whether or not they learned about the Holocaust to show the how gangs can escalate into something that the students who are so tied to their gangs would actually never want to be a part of.
Brian, I agree with your statement about the line game. It showed the students they weren't all that different. I would also want to be a teacher as well for those very reasons.
this movie is sick. I used to want to be a teacher, but after watching this movie i dont think it would be right for me. this teacher is brave to go wearign her necklace to that class everyday.
This film has such a powerful message. It is very interesting to learn about other settings and surroundings. I have found Ms. Gruwell to be a very determined and effective teacher thus far. I believe she wore her pearls even though she was advised not to because they symbolize the fact that she isn't going to judge the students before she knows them. ON the topic of why she mentioned the Holocaust, I agree with Margaret. She mentioned that the Holocaust was brought up to show what gangs can turn into. It shows the students what can happen when things go too far.
Ive seen this film before, and it has again managed to leave me at a loss for words. I think it is so well done and it actually makes me very emotional. Mrs. Gruwell had the courage to stand against her department head and everyone else and wear her pearls to class, and to be different and do what others were too afraid to do. I think it takes an outrageous amount of courage and determination and love to do what she did and I strongly admire her for that. I could watch this movie everyday and it would never get boring.
Nate and Toni,
I completley agree that you dont realize how good you have it until you see how badly others do. It really is a wake up call.
In my opinion, I think Ms. Gruwell wore the pearls because they are a part of who she is. Mr.s Gruwell wears the pearls to class everyday because they have meaning to her and i agree with megan about how she didnt want to judge her students behavior before she met them. I think the pearls alos have to do with respect and trust, she trusted her students enough to know that they wouldnt try to steal them.The reason why i think Ms. Gruwell asked if they knew about the Holocaust is the drawing of the boy in her class reminded her of how jews were drawn as having big noses and she wnated her students to understand how shameful someone feels when they are poked fun at and embarassed.
i not in school on the last day which sucked because i really wanted to see the end of the movie
I think that she ignored the advice because she loved the pearls because her father gave them to her. I think that she believed that she could manage her class and take care of herself. I think that she asked her students if they had ever discussed the holocaust because one of them had just asked her what it was, I think she wanted to see how many of them, if any, actually knew what it was. I think it was important for her to ask this question because a lot of what she was trying to explain to them was exemplified by the holocast.
Kayla, I think that you had a good point when you said that Ms. Gruell wore the pearls because she wanted to trust that her students wouldn't steal them. Megans point about not judging the student before she got to know them was also very important because I think that all the other faculty members were quick to do this. Many of the other teachers didn't give her students much of a chance before they formed their opinion of them.
I think that Ms. Gruwell ignored the advice and left her pearls on because she wanted to show that she was gonna bring a change to this school starting there. I think she brought up the holocaust because it is something that is far more crazy then the gangs the kids were in. She feels that she can show the kids how bad things like racism and segregation are. The kids were hearing this for the first time and they listened. After learning about the holocaust the kids started to gain respect for Ms. Gruwell.
I agree with Pat and Mrinaal in saying that I would not want to become a teacher. I think it would take someone with a tremendous amount of courage to do what Ms.Gruwell did. They would also have to want to be a teacher very bad and I do not have that drive to become a teacher.
First off in regards to the pearls, I believe she wore them because right in the beginning she defied the limitations set upon her. She was told that she should not wear the pearls, yet she did and nothing happened. She was also told she would not be able to teach those kids and she did, very good in fact.
The second issue was why did she ask the kids if they knew what the holocaust was. In my opinion she asked when one of the kids asked her what it was. The fact that one of the students did not know what the holocaust was led her to wonder if any of the students knew. This was what truly began her success in the classroom. All it took was one student asking one question.
I was not in class Wednesday, March 4.
I was not in class Wednesday, March 4.
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