Directed by Richard LaGravenese

FREEDOM WRITERS

CHARACTER STUDY

• Erin Gruwell- teacher

• Scott Casey- husband

• Steve Gruwell - father

• Margaret Campbell- HOD

• Eva Benitez Hispanic gang student who’s father is taken by police

• Andre Bryant - African American student who almost gives up

• Gloria Munez - Hispanic student with abusive boyfriend

• Sindy Korean/Vietnamese refugee student Alejandro Santiago

• Marcus – Kicked out by mother for gang activity

• Jamal Hill-’class clown’who has characature drawn of him

• Brandy Ross - quiet student who takes first diary in class.

ERIN GRUWELL

60 seconds to brainstorm personality traits of Erin… GO

Share ideas for class brainstorm

4 FOCUSING CHARACTER QUESTIONS

1. How does Erin Gruwell change from the beginning of the film to the end?

2. How does Erin’s relationship with her class change from beginning to end?

3. Describe the various emotions you think Erin experiences after her first class at Wilston High

Create your own question about ERIN GRUWELL to be answered by the end of unit:

1.

CHARACTER OF MARCUS & EVA

MARCUS EVA

MAIN IDEA TABLE EXERCISE• Erin, Marcus and Eva

TODAY• Themes/ideas brainstorm

• Use RESPECT work sheets to write DETAILED sentences

• What is respect?

• Answer questions on theme

THEMES/IDEAS IN FREEDOM WRITERS

60 theme brainstorm in your books

GO!

MAIN THEMES/IDEAS

- Racism and stereotypes

- Predjudice, judging by appearance- Growing up & changing- Overcoming obstacles- Respecting yourself and others- Importance of diversity- Perseverance against the odds.- Heroism and importance of role models

What is respect?

RESPECT

Using the pictures and quotes from the previous ‘respect’ exercise, write 6 sentences (a paragraph) showing how

respect grows in ‘Freedom Writers’

DESCRIBE AND EXPLAIN• 2 moments where there is no respect.

• 2 examples of where respect is growing.

• 2 examples of where respect is shown.

USE FILM TECHNIQUES AND QUOTES

3 THEME QUESTIONS (COMPLETE FOR HOMEWORK)

1. Out of the themes discussed in the film which theme does Erin show the most?

2. Which theme do you identify with most? Why?

3. Choose a student character. Which theme do they communicate? Give an example/event from the film that supports this.

Create your own questions about THEME to be answered by end of unit:

1.

RESPECT EXERCISE• Respect powerpointt

THEME/IDEA QUOTES