Awhile back, I got a great deal on some DVD's at a nearby video store. It was a buy two get two free deal. I picked up Dreamer and The Last Mimzy for the kids, while I got Ocean's Thirteen and Freedom Writers for hubby and I. It took me forever to finally sit down and watch Freedom Writers. I had heard so many wonderful things about this movie and was expecting greatness. I knew it would be intense, so I had to be in the mood to watch it. Finally, I did see it the other night. It truly lived up to the hype and is really an inspirational film. It follows the story of Erin Gruwell, a first-time teacher that finds herself teaching language arts to a newly integrated high school in the heart of LA in the aftermath of the Rodney King verdict. The LA riots left the city in ruins and the kids reeling from racial tensions. Erin, in all her enthusiasm and idealism, sets out to buck an uncaring system and make a real difference in these kids lives. She takes Luanne Johnson's methods from Dangerous Minds to a whole new level. She works two extra jobs to pay for incredible field trips and to provide unique learning opportunities for her students in and out of the classroom. She is met with resistance from her students at first, but soon they realize this class is the place where they can truly become a family. Erin Gruwell give them an opportunity to give a voice to their experiences. This film was based on a true story and told from the students' perspectives from The Freedom Writers' Diary. I was impressed, inspired, and appalled at what these children lived through. Anyhow, it is definitely a must-see film and will move you. As a teacher, this is the kind of movie I love for obvious reasons, but also because it helps me aspire to be as good as Erin.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Freedom Writers
Awhile back, I got a great deal on some DVD's at a nearby video store. It was a buy two get two free deal. I picked up Dreamer and The Last Mimzy for the kids, while I got Ocean's Thirteen and Freedom Writers for hubby and I. It took me forever to finally sit down and watch Freedom Writers. I had heard so many wonderful things about this movie and was expecting greatness. I knew it would be intense, so I had to be in the mood to watch it. Finally, I did see it the other night. It truly lived up to the hype and is really an inspirational film. It follows the story of Erin Gruwell, a first-time teacher that finds herself teaching language arts to a newly integrated high school in the heart of LA in the aftermath of the Rodney King verdict. The LA riots left the city in ruins and the kids reeling from racial tensions. Erin, in all her enthusiasm and idealism, sets out to buck an uncaring system and make a real difference in these kids lives. She takes Luanne Johnson's methods from Dangerous Minds to a whole new level. She works two extra jobs to pay for incredible field trips and to provide unique learning opportunities for her students in and out of the classroom. She is met with resistance from her students at first, but soon they realize this class is the place where they can truly become a family. Erin Gruwell give them an opportunity to give a voice to their experiences. This film was based on a true story and told from the students' perspectives from The Freedom Writers' Diary. I was impressed, inspired, and appalled at what these children lived through. Anyhow, it is definitely a must-see film and will move you. As a teacher, this is the kind of movie I love for obvious reasons, but also because it helps me aspire to be as good as Erin.
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