|
The Freedom Writers Diary : How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves and the World Around Them :: 038549422X
Description
| Product Description |
|
| A detailed product description is unavailable at this moment. Email us on sales@shopinhk.com if you need more information about this product. |
Reviews
Customer feedback
|
|
Product rating |
|
Voting |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Author: Guest
I enjoyed the book. As a teacher, I understand some of the issues Gruwell brings to light in her book. Here she is on the Island of The Misfit Toys and her job is to teach them. She does, indeed, teach them. In her own words, she tosses out a set curriculum and decides to teach tolerance. She accomplishes this task as well - what a great job! Let's not forget she isn't even credentialed yet.
I applaud Ms. Gruwell's accomplshment inspiring young people to move to places of better understanding about themselves and others. Forgive me, if I also seem a tad cynical regarding Ms. Gruwell being pronounced a master teacher. Three years of teaching does not a master teacher make! In most cases, it takes a lifetime.
There are thousands of teachers in the world who have had and continue to have a profound impact on children's lives - much more than 150! Let me make this clear-this does not deminish the accomplishments of Ms. Gruwell, if anything it affirms the notion that teachers are powerful catalysts for change in young peoples' lives.
What happened to Ms Gruwell has happened to many - on fire at the start, flame dies - leaves the classroom. Three years in the trenches and with a bit of help from the media off she goes to teach at a university. I am certain her clientelle is a bit less tedious now.
Do I think Ms. Gruwell is a great teacher? Frankly, three years in the classroom isn't enough time to truly know. Should she be teaching others to be teachers? Here too, I am unsure. I think Ms. Gruwell has all the tools in her toolbox, all the right instincts, and certainly the talent to teach. It's just too bad she has decided to forgo the kids and move on as she puts it to other things. Let's see - a movie in the making, running for a seat on the senate. I guess she's had enough of the teacher thingy.
The book is an excellent read. Please remember there are thousands of great teachers in this country who spend 30-35 years making a huge impact on young peoples' lives. Erin Gruwell certainly made an impact on 150 kids - too bad she's decided that was enough for her.
|
Author: Guest
This book will open your eyes and heart; this book will remind you of the power in writing, in teaching; this book will change your life, or at least it changed mine. After reading Freedom Writers, I talked to my students about it at my first writing group meeting--something I decided to form thanks to Erin Gruwell. Read this book, then illumine the writing path for others.
|
Author: Guest
This is the best, most touching, heart-wrenching inspiring book that I've ever read. I can't start to explain this book other then I never have finished a book and jumped on Amazon to write a reveiw and purchase more copys for Christmas gifts.
This book can help change your life and effect you in ways that you never thought that was possible.
Thank you Freedom Writers and their brave leader Erin Gruwell for changing their world and mine
|
Author: Guest
English teacher Erin Gruwell had her students, who had been written off as unteachable, write diary entries about their lives and activities in class as she exposed them to lessons about acceptance and prejudice. These diary entries form the meat of the book and many of them are real eye-openers. I knew that there are many kids in our society living in situations that are really intolerable, but I was nevertheless shocked by many of the things I read. In the end I was impressed by many of the students, saddened by others.I would have liked to read a bit more from Gruwell herself. Although she mentions what a struggle she had with her class at times, I got the sense from reading the entries that the students started making connections between their lives and their texts and producing well-written, introspective diary entries fairly quickly. I have no doubt that Gruwell accomplished amazing things, but it sometimes comes across as too pat. Surely there were some students she didn't reach. Surely there were times when her approach failed and she had to go back and rethink her methods. But then again, I suppose that's all material for a different book. This one is reserved for the voices of the students. It's a good read.
|
Author: Guest
My husband, who is going back to school to get his teaching license, had to read this book for class. As soon as he was done, he practically forced me to read it. Once I started it, I couldn't wait each day to find the time to read more. As an English teacher myself, I could find many parallels with my students and experiences as Ms. Gruwell's. I have told every teacher in my department and our counselors about this book. What amazing stories of determination and success. If these kids can make it, ANY kid can make it. I've even read excerpts to my students.
|
Send to Friend
Send to friend
|
|
