Building connections

Lots of hard work and collaborative thinking going on in Term Two, week four.  Next up is when we work on making those connections much deeper, thinking about what we learn from the texts personally, how it relates to our world, and how the texts relate to the wider world.  We are all about identifying the ways in which the texts show us how we can make difference in the world, whether via the power of real friendship or challenging racism or having high expectations or or or...

In week five we are getting stuck into our assessment task.  This task will be shared straight into your English folder on google drive, so that everyone has their own copy to write straight into.  I'm also sharing it with your parents, because we all know that parents love you to do homework, and some homework is going to be needed to show your best learning on this project.

The difference a determined person can make in this world.

Another theme in The Freedom Writers is "The difference a determined person can make in this world."

1. Make a list of the people who were determined and made a difference in The Freedom Writers.

2. Imagine one of these people was coming to your school to do an inspirational talk.  Create a poster of that person, advertising why they are special. 

3. Write an introductory speech for that person, so the students know what his/her special challenges and achievements are.

Working on theme: The power of friendship to make a person stronger

A theme is an idea which is developed throughout part or all of a book, or song, or film.  We are learning to identify themes in one or more texts and be able to talk about how they are developed.

One theme in The Freedom Writers is the power of friendship to make a person stronger.  We looked at this theme when we read The Absolutely True Diary of the Part Time Indian.  We saw how Rowdy and Junior helped each other at the beginning, and then the struggles they had later on when Junior changed schools.

In order to get really good at thinking about themes in The Freedom Writers, we need to think about the idea that friendship can make a person stronger. Either individually, in pairs or in groups, choose one or more of the tasks below to work on in class today:

1. What does "friendship" mean?  Does it mean different things for people of different ages?  What makes a good friend? - make a brainstorm and then a poster on google drawings (or you could try canva if you feel like playing with a new digital poster tool).

2. How can a friendship make you stronger?  Do you think the old proverb "a problem shared is a problem halved" is true?

3. Look again at Miguel's speech in The Freedom Writers.  What does friendship mean to Miguel?

4. Think about Eva and Sindy in the film.  Can you describe the changes in their relationship?  (This short blogpost gives a useful rundown of key characters).

Themes in The Freedom Writers

The power of friendship to make a person stronger

Script from the scene where Miguel reads from his diary:

  
"This summer was the worst summer
in my short 14 years of life.

  
"It all started with a phone call.

  
"My mother was crying and begging,

  
"asking for more time as if she were
gasping for her last breath of air.

  
"She held me as tight
as she could and cried.

  
"Her tears hit my shirt like bullets
and told me we were being evicted.

  
"She kept apologizing to me.
I thought, 'I have no home.

  
"'I should have asked for something
less expensive at Christmas. '

  
"On the morning of the eviction,
a hard knock on the door woke me up.

  
"The sheriff was there to do his job.

  
"I looked up at the sky,
waiting for something to happen.

  
"My mother has no family to lean on,
no money coming in.

  
"Why bother coming to school
or getting good grades if I'm homeless?

  
"The bus stops in front of the school.
I feel like throwing up.

  
"I'm wearing clothes from last year,
some old shoes and no new haircut.

  
"I kept thinking I'd get laughed at.

  
"Instead, I'm greeted
by a couple of friends

  
"who were in my English class last year.

  
"And it hits me, Mrs. Gruwell,

  
"my crazy English teacher
from last year,

  
"is the only person
that made me think of hope.

  
"Talking with friends
about last year's English and our trips,

  
"I began to feel better.

  
"I receive my schedule and the first
teacher is Mrs. Gruwell in Room 203.

  
"I walk into the room and feel as though

  
"all the problems in life
are not so important anymore.

  
"I am home. "

  

Task: 

1. Summarise what Miguel says in your own words.

2. Explain what it shows us about the power of friendship in Ms Gruell's class

The barriers which racism sets up in schools.

The challenge of being poor.

The difference a determined person can make in this world.

Reviewing Prezi

Last week we explored a new tool to showcase our understanding of a character in The Freedom Writers.  As we each tried out Prezi, it wasn't always successful.  Today we are each going to write a review of Prezi, reflecting on how useful it was for our purpose, how it could be improved and what alternative tools we could use.  We are writing for a wider audience, so that other students can learn from our experiences.

Please include answers to the following questions in your review.  You may write straight onto your blog.

1. What did you use Prezi for? 
2. How easy was it to use Prezi?
3. Did you write straight into Prezi, or use a google doc/slide to plan first?
4. What were you pleased about with your Prezi?
5. Is this the best tool for sharing your knowledge?  Why/why not?
6. Add a link to your Prezi.

Making our prezi presentations on a character in The Freedom Writers

I am out of class on Wednesday on a course, but all will be fine because I have put all the resources on this blog post for you to make a fantastic prezi each on a character in The Freedom Writers.

To start using Prezi, go here.  Login using google.

This youtube clip will help you make your Prezi.

We watched an example of a Prezi on a character on Tuesday.  That was an okay prezi, but with a weak ending.  I want you to each create a Prezi that includes:

1. The name of the film
2. The name of your chosen character
3. A picture of your chosen character
4. A description of what your character was like at the beginning of the film
5. If you can find a youtube clip online that shows us the character in the film, include that.
6. Explain how your character changes in the film.  Give examples.  A SEXY paragraph would be good here.
7. Find an image of the character towards the end of the film.
8. In conclusion, write about what we can learn about life from this character and this film.

Note 1: if you have missed parts of this film, and you have a Netflix account at home, then you can catch up by watching it via Netflix.

Note 2: If you can't decide which character to do, or find clips to watch and use in your Prezi, you can do Eva.
Eva telling her family story
Eva talking to Ms Gruell about racism.
Eva in court

Making a prezi on a Freedom Writers character

Here is an example:

Term One blogging

In the last week of term one, we spent time adding our best work to our blogs.  We will keep on adding to our blogs throughout Term Two, and build our skills in presenting our learning in a range of ways.