The Freedom Writers Movie

Instructions: After watching the movie The Freedom Writers, the student picks 12 of the following questions to answer them using critical thinking.

1.      Why are the students so unwilling to associate with anyone outside their ethnic/racial groups?

2.      How does Ms. Gruwell’s appearance, and attitude contrast with those of her students?

3.      Describe the difference between the distinguished honor students´ classroom and Ms. Gruwell’s classroom.

4.      Why aren’t Ms. Gruwell’s students motivated to succeed in school? What outside factors affect their ability to learn?

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

6.      Why do some of Ms. Gruwell’s students believe they won’t live past age 18?

7.      Why is respect so important to them?

8.      Think about your own school or out-of-school activities. Are youth respectful of each other’s differences?

9.      “You can’t make someone want an education. The best you can do is try to make them obey, to learn discipline. That would be a tremendous accomplishment for them.” Do you think that’s what she should do? How would you feel if someone said that about you and your classmates?

10.  Give an example of prejudice from the movie.

11.  Why do you think Ms. Gruwell made them play the “On the line” game in the classroom?

12.  Describe how writing in journals helps transform the lives of the students. How does writing “free” the students from their pain?

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

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

15.  MiepGies, the woman who hid Anne Frank, is a hero to Ms. Gruwell’s students. What does MiepGies mean when she tells Ms. Gruwell’s students, “You are heroes every day.”?

16.  What makes Eva choose to “go against her people” in the courtroom?

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

18.  In what ways does Ms. Gruwell’s classroom become a family for the students?

19.  Describe the transition in Mrs. Gruwell’s classroom, how have the students changed? How has Ms. Gruwell changed?

20.  How do you plan to make a difference in the world as Erin Gruwell did?

 Click the following link to see or the Rubric

Critical Thinking Rubric

Spelling Quiz #2

Spelling Quiz #2
Quiz date: November 10, 2016

Spelling Words
1. Comfortable
2. Hopped
3. Wooden
4. Higher
5. Linguistic
6. Occasion
7. Plaintive
8. Fearless
9. Enjoyment
10. Joyous

Memoir Project – English 8

Review of Memoirs

The voice is first person singular.It’s about event that happened in real life. The writer’s thoughts and feelings, reactions and reflections, are revealed.The writer adds details that fit with the specific memories s/he is sharing. The reader learns something about life by reading about a life.

Instructions

1.      Student chooses a memory of an event that had an impact on them.

2.      They will write a short essay. The essay will contain three paragraphs: Introduction, body and conclusion.

a.       Introduction – Explain to the reader who are you? where you come from? And what you’re going to tale about? Lead the reader to the next paragraph.

b.      Body – Share your memory. Add enough details so the reader can imagine like s/he is part of the memory.

c.       Conclusion – Bring your story to a closure. Add your reflection about what you learned from your experience.

3.      Student will submit a draft of the memoir to the teacher for corrections. Once the teacher revises it, they will work on their official memoir following the corrections suggested by the teacher.

4.      Student will include pictures of the memory as a reference for the reader.

5.      The memoir will be worth 80 points

a.       Punctuality            5          points

b.      Cover Page            5          points

c.       Rubric                   5          points

d.      Grammar               10        points

e.       Draft                     10        points

f.       Memoir                  30        points

g.      Pictures                 5          points

h.      Reflection             10        points

6.      This paper will be due on November 11, 2016. Projects handed in after this date will not be accepted without a valid excuse. 

Order of the Pages:

1. Cover Page

2. Draft

3. Memoir

4. Pictures

5. Rubric

Work should be handwritten or typed and stapled together.

Click on the following link to see the Rubric. 

Memoir Rubric

The teacher will give you a copy of the rubric the week before the project is due. 

Conversational English App

In my classroom, I try to help students expand their vocabulary. For that reason this year we'll be using the app Duolingo. You can download the app on your phone or ipod or use it at home through your computer.

This way I'll be able to track your progress and check your completed levels.

Spelling Quiz Friday, October 28, 2016

Spelling Words

1. Antifreeze
2. Disagree
3. Encode
4. Embrace
5. Forecast
6. Infield
7. Nonsense
8. Overlook
9. Transport
10. Unfriendly

Word Journal #1

This is an example provided by the Department of Education on how to complete a word journal.
Click the link below to see it and download it.

Word Journal Example

Word Journal #1 began on Oct 12, 2016 and is expected to finish on Oct 13, 2016,
Its meant to be completed in the classroom.
Has a value of 25 points. (5 pts each word)

The words chosen are:
1. prejudice
2. propaganda
3. perspective
4. initiation
5. betray

8.2 Memoirs and Transformative Decisions

Here's a video that talks about Memoirs and its characteristics in detail.
Hope it helps!