Questions to discuss - Freedom writers

So, as you notice I'm not there with you today. Axel is ill so I'm home with him. I told you last Friday what you were supposed to do today and here's a reminder for those of you who have forgotten.

Assignment number 1:
Discuss these questions in groups. Try to have a genuine discussion where you listen to each other and let everyone be heard. Since I'm not there I would like you to record your discussion. Try to find a quiet place where you can sit and use for example Vocaroo or Garageband. Send the recording to me when you're finished.

Here are the groups:

Gabija, Leo, Sandra, Fernanda

Emilia, Razvan, Noa, Evelina

Natalie, Philip, Daniel, Viktor

André, Benjamin, Joel, Rebecka

Pernilla, Samuel, Gabriel, Clara

Elina, Ida, Moa, Zebastian

Assignment 2:
When you're finished with your discussions, choose six questions you would like to answer with a written answer. Choose questions that you feel you have a lot of thoughts around. Write everything on your blog.

IF YOU'VE GOT A QUESTION DURING THE LESSON, PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT AND I'LL REPLY.

Questions:
1. Why are the students so unwilling to associate with anyone outside their ethnic/racial groups? Where does this intolerance come from?

2. Ms. Gruwell is the first teacher to show trust and respect for the “at risk” students at Wilson High. How does Erin Gruwell demonstrate this? Why are some students more resistant to trusting each other?

3. Why is trust such an important component of a teacher-student relationship?

4. Why does Ms. Gruwell’s students hate and resent her at first?

5. How do the classmates learn to trust one another? How does reading and writing initiate this change?

6. Miep Gies, the woman who hid Anne Frank, is a hero to Ms. Gruwell’s students. What does Miep Gies mean when she tells Ms. Gruwell’s students, “You are heroes everyday.”?

7. Describe the transition in Mrs. Gruwell’s classroom from the first day of freshman year through the end of the year – how have the students changed? How has Ms. Gruwell changed?

8. Why is Eva so affected by the ending of Anne Frank’s diary?

9. What makes Eva choose to “go against her people” in the courtroom? Do you think this was a good decision? How does her family and friends react?

10. Do you think it’s more important to “protect your own” or do what’s right?

11. In what ways does Ms. Gruwell’s classroom become a family for the students? Do you have a “family” outside of your actual family?

12. Why are the students filled with such anger at the beginning of the movie? Do you think their anger is reasonable?

13. Ms. Gruwell gives her students the opportunity to find success and graduate. Do you think the students continued along the path of success without the help of Mrs. Gruwell by their side? Why or why not?

14. What similarities are there between Woodrow Wilson High School and Apelskolan? How are they different?

15. What was it that changed these students? What was the common “connection” they all had that helped them to change their views on life?

      16. What did you think about the movie? Motivate your answer!