Focusing Question: In which ways does Erin effect her students lives for the better?
Let me count the ways: First off Erin Gruwell was a teacher with confidence in her teaching, that when she sets her mind to something it will and can be done. Never does she give up, especially when it came to her students.
Respect: You have to give respect to earn respect. At first her students didn’t care for her because they thought she was just some teacher at that school that didn’t care to teach them, but to earn a paycheck. Of course…if you don’t want to teach…what makes you think students want to learn? Well…she gave them respect showing she wanted to listen and cared about their feelings in how they view life. She gave them chances. She gave each and every one a journal to write in. With them…they could write poems, songs, a story, anything that came to their minds any second of any day. She wanted to get to know them and show them someone cares more than those students believed anyone did. She funded money by taking two other part time jobs to buy books that stories that related to their own. She took them on a field trip to the Holocaust Museum and proving to them that being in a gang proved to be nothing but death and caused nothing but sadness in the end. She showed them another road they could take, by believing in themselves. After earning their attention and proving that someone cares, by giving them something to look forward to…she earned their respect.
That being said…those same students took her class again their sophmore year of high school. They felt like a family in her classroom and felt that in that room they could be who they really were with eachother. They got along and showed they were eager to learn. They wanted to make something of theirselves. In the beginning, one student said that he was graduating every day he lives and he’ll be lucky if he sees eighteen…later showing he wanted to go to college and not be in a gang anymore. Another student named Eva, didn’t care for school, but went because her probation officer threatened her. It was school or bootcamp. She said it was like war at school. She was initiated into a gang at ten years old standing for her “kind” (latinos). Never would she sell out her “people”. She later testified to witnessing her boyfriend shooting another, knowing it was the right thing to do. Later Erin moved on after their senior year of high school and followed most, who went to college.
In conclusion, they all were effected in more ways than one by Erin for the best. They all have a story and I can’t wait to write more about it in my paper, but for now this is what i got at ten o’clock at night. LOL
Hi Danielle:
Like Allison said, it is great to see how passionate you feel about this movie. I think it will be very helpful when you complete this paper. Maybe you can tie this into Raising Arizona and O Brother Where Art Thou by using how much we put into something where we really care about it. ie; H.I. cared about Ed, Everett cared about getting his family back and what they each did to get there.
The two stories you listed definitely prove answer your focusing questions. It is so great, especially since it was based on a true story, to see how she was able to turn these kids around. I know from experience that if you have a teacher the doesn’t seem to care and school is just a place for them to go from 9-5 that the student doesn’t care either. I like that you pointed that out in our group discussion.
It’s to bad that we have come so far in society, but like Joseph said abuot California, there are still schools that have 1 book for 5 students.? We are lucky to be where we are.
You have a great start to this paper; I think it will be your best!! Ann
I didn’t want to admit this, but I actually haven’t seen this movie!!!! Bad writing teacher! I did see Dangerous Minds when it came out (I was 16) and I remember thinking back then that it was really cheesy and those techniques would never work in real life.
I am concerned that your topic might be a little too narrow, but it wouldn’t be hard to bring in related primary sources to expand your thinking.
For example, consider contrasting Gruwell’s techniques with those of Phiffer’s character. And how about Dead Poet’s Society?