This resource was designed to be used within a film studies unit focusing on the issues experienced by teenagers in Freedom Writers (2007).

Reference List

• Gruwell, E., & The Freedom Writers. (1999). The Freedom Writers Diary: How a teacher and 150 teens used writing to change themselves and the world around them. Broadway Books.
• Gruwell, E., & The Freedom Writers. (1999). The Freedom Writers Diary: How a teacher and 150 teens used writing to change themselves and the world around them (Cover design by Unknown) [Book cover]. Broadway Books.
• LaGravenese, R. (Director). (2007). Freedom Writers [Motion picture]. Paramount Pictures.
• Freedom Writers [DVD cover]. (2007). Paramount Pictures.
• Freedom Writers [Movie poster]. (2007). Paramount Pictures.
• LaGravenese, R. (Director). (2007). Freedom Writers [Film still]. Paramount Pictures.

It includes a section explaining film terms (visual and audio elements). Important editing terms are explained e.g. montage, juxta positioning. Other terms explained are diegetic and non diegetic sound.

There is a section where students must work in pairs to come up with a dot point summary of the plot. There is a synopsis of the film, a list of characters and who they are played by, a list of key crew members (producer, director etc.)

There is a section for students to list the issues faced by the teenagers.

There are some extracts (quotes) from the screen play and comprehension questions.

There is information provided about key characters including Eva Benitez, Andre Bryant, Marcus, Sindy, Brandy, Gloria and Ben.

There is a section to explore the ideologies in the film. Students need to list the ideologies of some of the adults in the film including Margaret Campbell, Bryan Gelford and Erin Gruwell.

Students have to identify some themes in the text. There is a table for them to record new terms they learn during the unit (glossary).

There is information about how music is used to enhance characterisation.

There is a section about intertextuality and the links to Martin Luther King Jr’s I Have a Dream speech.