Before we watch the moving film the Freedom
Writers together, work with the following
tasks and remember that the movie is based on a true story (and a book):
1) In your study group (of four students):
Find out about:
student a) Rodney King,
student b) racial Riots in LA
student c) integration programs in schools
student d) war zones in the LA Ghetto areas
Present your findings to the other group members before watching the film.
2) After you have seen the film, write a brief summary of the film. Discuss the theme(s) with a
peer/partner.
Take turns and present the questions you have prepared in groups. Maybe the other group members/ the class can contribute with more knowledge on the topic.
3) Then the group discusses the questions below:
a) Why do you think they called themselves the
Freedom Writers? Where and when does the story take place (background
information is very important)? Who are the main characters and how do they
change throughout the movie?
b) Explain why one or more of the film's important
issues are
tolerance, respect, trust, overcoming
adversity, family, inequality in the educational system and success.
4) We have worked with the film the Freedom
Writers and focused on the following competence aims:
"vurdere og bruke ulike situasjoner, arbeidsmåter og
læringsstrategier for å videreutvikle egne ferdigheter i engelsk"
"vurdere egen framgang i arbeidet med å lære engelsk"
"drøfte engelskspråklige filmer og andre kulturuttrykk fra
forskjellige medier"
Answer the following questions which are to be
presented in your studygroups:
1. Which working methods have you used to learn
about the Freedom writers Diary, and also to improve your English skills?
2. What have you learnt about setting, plot,
characters and important themes from watching, discussing and analyzing the
film
