This past Wednesday I was home sick in bed and decided to rent a movie. While scrolling through the On Demand options on Optimum I came across the film Freedom Writers which debuted in 2007. This drama was based on a true story and on the novel The Freedom Writers Diary by teacher Erin Gurwell. It took place around 1995 in Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, California. The movie chronicled the story of an extraordinary teacher, played by Hilary Swank, who went above and beyond her duties to reach a group of disadvantaged students. Everyone else at the school had written off Ms. Gurwell's students as "at-risk" or "unreachable" because of their previous history of violence, truancy, and lack of motivation. The teacher and her students had to overcome a number of obstacles both inside and outside the classroom walls in order to break down these stereotypes.
I would recommend this movie to anyone who would like to watch an uplifting film with a positive message. I would specifically recommend it to teachers, both new and veteran, because it truly shows the impact one teacher can have.
To watch the movie trailer visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oY-KYKyFXCM
For more information on the real Erin Burwell, her class, as well as the foundation her class established please visit: http://www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/
Vocabulary:
- debuted (verb) - to come out or appear for the first time
- novel (noun) - a book or story
- chronicles (verb) - to record or tell
- duties (noun) - responsibilities
- truancy (noun) - skipping school without permission or reason
- motivation (noun) - the act of inspiring or exciting
- stereotype (noun) - making generalizations about a specific group of people
- recommend (verb) - to recommend
- veteran (noun) - someone with experience
Put the above vocabulary words in alphabetical order. Then choose at least two vocabulary words to write a sentence summarizing the movie.
Grammar Point: Working With Verbs
We have all seen movies that inspire us. Think about a movie you have seen that has meant something to you and write 1-2 paragraphs summarizing the movie and stating who you would recommend this movie for and why. For the summary section, make sure you use past tense verbs to describe the movie because you already saw it. For the recommendation section, use modal verbs such as "would" to explain your recommendation.
Thanks. I never saw this movie but my children say it's great. I hope to see it soon.
ReplyDeleteSounds very interesting...I always love watching movies about teachers and their students...I'll have to watch it sometime.
ReplyDeleteThe main message of Erin Gruwell's work is that we do not need to wait until we have solved the country's social problems to help students from less privileged backgrounds to succeed. They can succeed on their own if we provide the right opportunities and challenges.
ReplyDeleteI have seen this movie a couple of times and loved it even more the 2nd time around. Hilary Swank did justice to the character of Erin Gruwell. I loved the premise of the movie and hope that I can make a difference in the lives of my future students as this extraordinary teacher did.
ReplyDelete