Freedom Writers 17-2

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• mavo, havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 2

Freedom Writers

Who are the main characters in the film?
Name three.

What ethnic and racial groups do you see in the film?

Do you know where these people originally came from?

Why do you think did these groups migrated to the United States?

Do you know when these groups migrated to the United States?

How do the members of the different groups dress?
And how does the teacher dress?

Why is the little note with the drawing so important in the film?

Do you know what “gang” the teacher has in mind when she talks about world power, the Second World War (1940-1945) and the Jewish girl Anne Frank?

What did this “gang” do to achieve their goal? 

What do the students’ gangs do to achieve their goals?

What effect does the red line in the classroom have on the students?

Why does the teacher let the students keep a diary?

Miep Gies said: “You are the heroes. You are the heroes every day.” How would you translate this into Dutch?

What do you think did she mean by this?

What is the final assignment that the teacher sets her students? 

What does this assignment have to do with RESPECT?

What is the most
important message of the film, according to you?

Writing assignment

Diary Entries from Character’s Perspective

From the perspective of a chosen character (a student), you will write a diary entry about 2 different events that occurred (plaatsvinden) in the film. Make sure to keep in the voice of your character, using “I”. Each entry should be around 200 words.

Writing assignment

Character Diary #1 – Your first day of school and Erin Gruwell’s first day as your teacher

In this entry, you should respond to how you are feeling this first day of classes, especially with Ms. Gruwell as your English teacher. What do you think about her? What assumptions (aannames) do you make? Do you want her to succeed or not?

Writing assignment

Character Diary #2 – Visit to the Holocaust Exhibition

In this entry, focus on your reactions to the trip to the Holocaust Exhibition. Describe what it was like seeing the exhibit and learning about Holocaust victims and survivors. Can you connect to those people? How did the day make you feel? What was it like to have a conversation with one of the survivors? What did you learn from the experience? What do you think about Ms. Gruwell’s generosity in planning this day especially for your class?