In the beginning of the film you saw Ms. Gruwell's department head suggest that she not to wear her pearls to class. The English teacher commented on them as well. Later we notice that she wore them to class on the first day of school. Why do you think she was given the advice and why do you think she ignored it? Also, you heard Ms. Gruwell 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 almost none of the students had ever heard of the Holocaust? At one point she is having a conversation with her department chair about giving her students new books. What was the importance of that discussion? Finally, what do you think is the most important message of the film?
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Ms. Gruwell was told not to wear her pearls on the first day by her department head and they were also commented on by another teacher. Clearly these educators have no faith in the kids that Ms. Gruwell is teaching. However Ms. Gruwell does have faith in them, which is why she ignored them. Based on this lack of faith, I'm sure that no teacher has ever bothered to actually teach the kids the material. They think that the kids won't put in the work so why should they? However this attitude is why the kids don't try. If no teacher ever had faith in me, if it was obvious they treated me as though I were stupid and a criminal I probably wouldn't have the motivation to work hard either. If they don't believe in me, what would I really be working towards? This is why the book discussion was so important. Because the department head always assigned the torn up books to these kids, it was as though they were saying that this is all the kids were worth. I think that the most important message is that it's important to see people for who they are instead of how they appear. If you make it obvious to someone that you think they have potential, then they'll believe it too and strive to better themselves.
The reason why Ms. Gruwell was given the advice on not to wear the pearls is because they didn't want the students getting the wrong idea that she was trying to be above them or better than them, and they also didn't want to take the chance of the pearls to get stolen. Ms. Gruwell ignored this advice because she knew this school needed a change, and this was the first step to doing so and making the students think in a different mind set. Almost none of the students had ever heard of the Holocaust because they never reiceved or tried to recieve a proper education. The reason why the discussion about new books was so important is because it showed how low and negatively the teachers thought of the students, and in a way treated them like animals/little children. The teachers had no faith in these troubled kids, and had no desire to try to help them change for the better. The most important message of the film was that anybody can change if they want to and if they put their mind to it. If anybody gives you respect and is patient with you, then you will learn how to become a better person and will enjoy life and be much happier. Ms. Gruwell accomplished this with many students, and changed many people for the better.
Mrs. Gruwell was told by two different school personnel that she shouldn't wear the pearls to class. I think they said this because they have no faith in the incoming freshmen because of the integration program. These two faculty blame the state of the school on these kids, and treat them as if they are inferior and to blame. They never gave the kids a chance and assumed the worst out of all of them. They assume that the students would steal the pearls because they have bias towards those students. Mrs. Gruwell wore the pearls anyways because she has faith in them. Instead of seeing these kids as a group of trouble makers, she is able to appreciate each individual student. The conversation between the department head was very important because it revealed Ms. Gruwell's dedication towards her students. Instead of giving her kids the torn versions of the books, she believes that they would benefit and appreciate the good literature.
I agree with Ali that if a teacher treated me with the disrespect that the other teacher and department head did, I wouldn't be motivated to work either. A large reason why the students would typically drop out was because no one believed in them. Ms. Gruwell believed in them, and the kids began to accelerate their learning. Their behavior and view of life changed drastically as well. In order for children to succeed, they need someone to believe in them.
I think that both the department head and the other English teacher advised Ms. Gruwell not to wear her pearls to class because they thought that the kids would steal them. Knowing that pearls are expensive and seeing that Mrs. Gruwell comes from a wealthy family, they thought that the kids would target her and try to take them. I think she ignored the department head and the teacher because she didn’t believe that the kids were capable of stealing them nor did they want to. Most of the students didn’t know what the Holocaust was because they were uneducated. Before Mrs. Gruwell came to their school, no other teacher put in enough effort to try and teach the kids, so they were unaware of important things like the Holocaust. When trying to get the new books, the department head told her that they did not want Mrs. Gruwell’s kids to use the new books because they would mistreat them. She basically said that she’d rather have the books sit on the shelf in storage rather than allow Mrs. Gruwell’s students to use them. This was an important scene because it really showed how untrusting the department head was of any kids who weren’t white/honors students. I think the most important message of the film was to not be too quick to judge someone’s ability. Mrs. Gruwell proved that with confidence, perseverance, and patience, anyone has the ability to learn and succeed. I think that this movie tells people how important it is not to make stereotypes or judge people without giving them a chance to prove themselves differently.
I think that the department head and the other English teacher who advised Mrs. Gruwell not to wear her pearls did so because they were bias and unhopefull for the furtures of her students. They automatically look down upon and judged these kids because they come from not so nice neighborhoods and they suggested the pearls not be worn just in case on of the kids got a nice idea to take them and sell them or began to taunt Mrs. Gruwell. Obviously, these two people have no faith in human nature.
I think that most of the kids hadn't heard of the Holocaust for a number of reasons. One big one being that they don't exactly take school too seriously at first and also because the school does not seem to take too much interest in actually teaching the kids about this type of prejudice.
I think that the issue with the books was that the school didn't care about the kids in Mrs. Gruwells class as much as they cared about the other, higher level classes. The school takes a bit of a prejudice look on the students, the ones who are in lower level classes are not treated as well or looked upon as well as the upper level classes kids are. By not giving the kids good books they are virtually telling the kids that they are also worthless and are not worth the money to buy newer, better books.
Finally, I think that the biggest message of Freedom Writers is that when dealing with kids (even high shool aged kids and young adults) if they are not motivated by the authority figures in their lives than they will not be motivated to work and make something of themselves. Kids are impressionable and if they are not treated as if they are worthy enough than they will not feel that they are and therefore they will not be motivated.
This movie represented the abilities of teachers to affect the lives of their students. Mrs. Gruwell was told not to wear pearls because they would get stolen or broken because the kids in her class were "hoodlums" and "minorities". The kids weren't considered students, instead more of a forced statistic. The teachers felt that most of them would drop out by junior year anyway and that they are irrelevant. Mrs. Gruwell proved that anyone can become anything, and that a classroom can become more than a place of worksheets and homework; but a place of legitimate learning and experience. Classrooms don't have to be a group of 15-20 kids, but a family. Everyone has potential, and it was important to Mrs. Gruwell to discover as much as she could out of every student she had, which physically ripped her life apart. This dedication to teaching is an inspiring sacrifice that shouldn't be taken light of.
I believe that the movie the freedom writers is in fact a movie for every generation. It shows both sides of the story. well in many cases multiple stories. This movie show "UNITY". How people that are so different are so alike. We are all equal.
On another note this movie also shows teaching from a completely different point of view. Most kids think teaching is hard. This movie shows differently. We all have hardships and it takes the support of everyone to help. One person in fact made a difference. I'm grateful <3
It's a shame but the department head was not only utterly terrified of the students,the close-minded woman percieved the kids as nothing more than savage beasts with no potential to learn. With that ignorent mentality she feard that one of the students would attack Ms. G and not think twice about it. That said, I feel Ms. G ignored the advice feeling it was her first day as a teacher and the student's first day with their new teacher. They would both begin with a clean slate. Unfortunately, prior to Ms. G saving their lives it clear the kids were deprived of so much knowledge. Given the school's deliberate neglagence it's no suprise that the class had not heard of the Holocaust. Upon realizing this Ms. G went to the department head to aquire different, more challenging books. To her dissmay the department head denied her request claiming,"they would be to challenging". the epittomy of paradox"bullshit irony". The importance being the class is looked down upon for being "thug" and neglecting school and not learning as a result. Conversly when the kids wished to learn, the school wouldn't allow it, claiming the cirruculum to dificult(even the books being held in storage). Overall I felt the message of the film to be ," If you want something you must have the testicular forditude to accomplish it, and let no one get in the way of your ambitions,not even family"
Mrs. gruel was told not to wear pearls because the department head new better. She knew that kids would see that and probably steal them, she didn't want mrs.Gruell going into a newly established integrated school with false hopes. she didn't expect mrs'gruel to make a difference with those kids.
Mrs.Gruell was watching the Rodney King riot happen on tv. But in fact she became a teacher because she was studying to become a lawyer and "When you are defending a kid in the court room there's no hope, it's too late" the problem starts here in the school.
"it was the right thing to do"
I didn't think of becoming a teacher because i don't have the patience i would get angry really easily
Skills/. understanding, patience, dedication, sense of humor, empathy,
qualities/ hope. the belief that what your doing will make an impact and inspire the kids to raise up out of their current situation and become better and more educated young adults who make the right decisions in life, that what your doing is right
I agree with ally because we pretty much have the same point of view. our answers are the same so. we get it
I believe Ms. Gruwell was given the advice to not wear the pearls by her department head because they made her look ignorant of the lower-class students she's teaching. Another reason as to why the department head told Ms. Gruwell to take off her pearls was due to the stereotypical mindset the department head had in the sense that a student would steal it. I believe Ms. Gruwell decided to not take off the pearls in order to make a statement to her colleagues that she is not a pushover.
I believe almost none of the students had heard of the Holocaust due to the educational conditions in which they grew up in. Nobody had cared to teach them of such an event and thus they were unaware of such a disaster occurring so recently.
The importance of Ms. Gruwell having a conversation with her department chair about giving her students new books is to demonstrate how she is taking initiative as a teacher and is giving her students a new beginning to their educational career.
I think the most important message of the film is that it only takes one person to make a difference in so many people's lives. Ms. Gruwell impacted the lives of so many underprivileged kids growing up in gang environments.
Ms. Gruwell wanted to be a teacher and she got her job in a school with a lot of issues. She was advised to not wear pearls but she did anyway. The department head wanted her kids to believe that she was a serious teacher. The pearls made the students believe she was weak and it would make them be less interested. The department head didn't like her from the start. The kids likely didn't know about the holocaust because they were young, immature, and not interested in the world around them. There was just so much in their lives with their family and friends that they were uneducated and uninterested in school. Her having the discussion with the department chair meant that she was serious about her job. She just isn't a 9-5 worker that's bored with their job, she had a genuine passion for it. The film's main message is that if you try, anything is possible. Ms. G had the idea of educating her kids and she did that, and this film makes a good impression of it since it comes from a true story.
I agree with Coleen on how the kids don't take school seriously. On the first day they are sitting and talking like what Ms. G is saying has no meaning to them at all. By the time it was their first day in sophomore year, they wanted to be back there.
Ms. Gruewell decided to wear the pearls to class, even thou she was warned not to because she viewed the students as like anyone else in the world. She didn't discriminate them just because they came from a certain neighborhood, according to her actions i concluded she viewed them just like she did with the department head and the english teacher which was harmless. The students hadn't heard of the holocaust because they have to worry about protecting "their own" at all times which means anything thats not really relevant to their lives didn't exist. They wouldn't have learned anything about the holocaust before, since the school teachers had decided that its just a waste of time to teach them anything anyhow. The importance of that conversation between Ms. Gruwell and the department head to give the students new books was because Ms. Gruwell was eager to teach the students a thing or two. Her department head said they don't deserve new books because she thought that they'll ruin the books. She as well that they wont understand the book because they were not simplified. I think the most important message of the film is that it doesn't matter who you are, or who plan on helping, if your willing to change/help someone you can.
Ms.Gruwell is told not to wear her pearls by the department head because she thinks that the kids are dangerous, and will probably steal them from her. she thinks this way because the students are often getting into fights and trouble. I think Mrs.Gruwell didn't listen because she did not see that the kids could be harmful. she didn't think anything of wearing a nice pearl necklace to the school because she trusted that the kids wouldn't do anything. I think taht many of the student had never heard of the Holocaust because they had not been diligent in school, because they had other problems to worry about and were not very interested in school in the beginning of the year, and also probably were not taught it, because most of the teachers did not care about them, and were just trying to pass them along to the next teacher. Asking for new books for the students shows that Ms.Gruwell thought that her kids deserved better than what they had. Asking for new supplies shows that she believed that the kids would benefit from them, and also that she trusted them to not ruin new books. I think that this film shows that anybody can succeed if they get the right kind of help from role models in their life. Nobody is limited by the chains put on them by society, trying to hold them back. everyone is capable to better themselves. I agree with Olivia when she says that if people are given respect and trusted to do the right thing, people can change themselves significantly for the better
The department head knew that Mrs.Gruwell didn't know what to expect when she walked into that classroom. I think it also bothered her that her attitude was so positive. She told her to take off the pearls because the department head knows what the kids can be like. She stereotyped them. Mrs.Gruwell ignored the comment and wore them anyway because she didn’t stereotype the kids. She just went to class and took it one step at a time. The students were not aware of the Holocaust because it was never taught to them. Just like it’s not really taught to us in early curriculum. The importance of the discussion to new books was that Mrs.Gruwell made a dent into the relationship with the kids. That was when she slowly started to figure the kids out. She wanted to find things that the kids could relate to so that they could be reminded that they weren’t the only ones out there with a story. The most important message to me in this film is never giving up. The kids never gave up on their education, they didn’t give up in bringing Anne Frank’s hider to school, Mrs.Gruwell never gave up on trying to teach these kids throughout their high school career, and most importantly, she never gave up on them.
I found this movie to very inspirational.It showed trust and perserverance can go a long way. The principle didn't trust her students so the students were never given a chance. I just think that every one in life derserves a chance and its sad that people are so quick to judge. The junior english teacher singled out his only black student asking her for a black perspective. People need to use their brains, equality is the common goal. People need to think of others first then the thereselves.
First off even though I missed the second day of watching the film, the movie was still great. It just goes to show how a teacher or any powerful adult can have a big impact on a teenagers life. When she first sits down with the department head, the woman says she shouldn’t wear the pearl necklace she is wearing at the time. I think that she said that because she already had a pre judged opinion about how the students will act when they see the necklace. The next day at school we can see that Mrs. Gruwell is wearing the pearl necklace. She probably wore it becvasuse unlike the department head she wanted to meet the students and get to know who they really werer becore she made prejudice about them. When it comes to the students not knowing about the holocaust, they probably didn’t know because they only cared about what was going around near them. Their priority was the gang violence that surrounded them, not the holocaust in the 1940’s. I think the most important message of the film is that one person can change a lot of things for a lot of people. Mrs. Gruwell changed the lives of those students because of her persistence to get them to learn.
I agree with Ryan when he said that every student has potential and the teacher has to find it. It’s not in the job description but as an educator the teachers should be able to.
The other teachers in the school believed that Ms. Gruwell's students shouldn't be trusted. Ms. Gruwell wore the pearls to class, even those advised not to, because she wanted to show her students that she trusted them. This trust helped her students open up to her and tell her about their lives which helped her better understand her students. This understanding allowed her to teach them effectively by buying them books they would be able to connect to. She bought them new books because she felt that by giving them damaged books you are showing the students you don't trust them which makes them not want to learn. The most important message, in my opinion, is to not judge others because everyone has a story that affects their lives and it is important to understand their stories.
I agree with Taylor. I think it was important that Ms. Gruwell didn't stereotype the students because it helped her develop a trusting relationship with them.
I believe that Mes.Gruwell's department head suggested that she not wear pearls to class due to the difference in social status that those pearls represented in comparison to those of the students. She ignored it to prove to the faculty that she was serious, and nobody would change anything that she did. Many of the students weren't the most educated before they came to her- nor we're they ever interested in learning about something like the Holocaust. They were ignorant, and not willing to expand their horizon. I think the most important message of this film is being persistant and willing can get you places, and if you keep trying at something that you want to be done the hardest tasks can be accomplished.
I think that the reason the department head told mrs gruwell not to wear her pearls is because she was judging that the students would steal them based on how they look and act. The department head is judgmental and has no faith in the kids like mrs gruwell does. She didn't judge the kids and assume they would steal them before ever meeting them, she gave each student the chance to prove who they are to her not by what others tell her. I think that the students never new about the holocaust because they had never been taught about it. No one ever felt the importance to teach these kids about such an important historical time. Mrs gruwell knew that everyone especially these students need to learn about the holocaust in order to make them better people and learn something from it. I think the main message of this movie is to show that the awful things that were happening during holocaust are still happening today. Everyday people are judged based on race and looks. Everyone has the same potential as anyone else and should be given the same amount of respect.
I agree with Kim's comment, I think that every student had the persistence to become whatever they wanted in life and they just needed a little guidance and help
I think Mrs. Grunwell wore the pearls to show that she was not afraid of the students. I don't think any of the students knew what the Holocaust was because they were never taught about it. This is because the school faculty feels it would be a waste to try to teach them something. This is why they were given books that were in very bad condition and were not given new books. I think the most important message of this movie is that anyone can succeed if they are given the chance.
I agree with Julie that everyone should be given the same opportunities and it should not be based on their ethnicity.
I think that the English head told her not to wear the pearls because the kids in her class may want to steal it. I think that known of the kids had her of the Holocaust because they had never had the proper education prior to this. I think the school didn't want to have her buy the books because they thought the books would be a waste of money since the kids weren't going anywhere in life after this school. I think that the message of the movie is that any person can change a group of people no matter what background they come from.
In the movie I think mrs.G wore the pearls to class to show that unlike the other staff she had some hope for her students. Also when she asks her kids If they know what the holocaust is and they say no the reason is that the holocaust had no relivance to them at the time. Then once mrs.G Told them what it was they relized how important it was and they wanted to know what else they were missing in the world.
I was absent this day
Watching this movie was really powerful. While sitting down and watching this movie I could see that these kids were slightly getting motivated because Ms. Gruwell had realted school to there everyday struggle. At first the department head had told her not to wear her pearls because they would possibly get stolen. She knew that there was hope for these kids, it was just a matter of finding out which way was more effective. Its sad to see how fast teachers can give up on students. All they need is a wake up call and a good role model that wont ever give up. Ms Gruwell is the perfect teacher for this and hopefully everybody can learn a thing or two from this movie.
Tim has a good point when he says if you try then anythings possible. It's true because all these kids needed was a good role model that was willing to do whatever it took to get these kids motivated. Doesn't matter who you are, anything is posssible if you put your mind to it.
I was absent this day.
I was on a student council trip during this blog.
i was absent this day
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