Other- Freedom Writers

Freedom Writers in more than just a book. There is a website, movie, and a song by Common and Black Eye Peas Will. i.am. I think giving information on what the Freedom Writers is about as a whole may have possibly helped the teacher out from the presentation. Just a thought. Check them out here:



Foundation/website

http://www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/site/c.kqIXL2PFJtH/b.2286939/k.9708/Media_Inquiries.htm

Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ggy0SApeJU

Lyrics (might want to pull this up while listening to song, or you can just read the lyrics if you're not into the song)

http://www.metrolyrics.com/i-have-a-dream-lyrics-common.html



I know it has been a while since we discussed the book Freedom Writers in class as it pertained to a presentation. Over break the guy that I am currently dating shared with me how they are using the book in middle at high school grade levels at the school where he teachers. Just to give some background information, it is a charter school located in Charlotte, NC. Although anyone can choose to send their child to this school, the school's main objective is to provide an education to those who have been deemed as having behavioral problems, can no longer attend the CMS public schools, or can not successfully function/compete in a "normal" academic setting. Many of the students have similar backgrounds to those brought up in the presentation. Some come from low income homes, poverish communties, and often time are living with one parent or another guardian. Others are very streetwise and may know of or be into what is seen in mainstream society as negative.

My friend informed me that the students and teachers enjoy the book and love the interaction they get from the students during discussion. He believes that it is because the students can find a connection with the thoughts and life scenarios of the characters in the book. It's part of who(some) of them are and what they know. When I shared some of the comments with him that were made in class, he agreed that one has to be ignorant to think that they can keep their child from exposure to negative ideas. Not everyone had nor has a rose colored glass to look through in life. One should teach their child what to do or not to do when in a negative situation. Not just completely ignore its existence. A day will come when a parent, guardian, or teacher will not be there to shelter them.

People are always talking about finding the best way to connect with students. In my opinion, taking their background into consideration should be a key element. There is no one approach. Students like those mentioned during this part of the presentation and in the charter school have already been titled as outcast because the general public sees them as under achievers with no hope for their futures. What harm would be done in allowing them to read about students who were in their situation and now have a more positive outlook on life?