Name: ___________________________
Period: ____________
Freedom Writers’ Diary
Journal Entries
Directions: In addition to the running record you will be completing as you read The Freedom
Writers’ Diary, you will also be expected to respond to several entries of the book in a more
detailed, yet reflective manner. This journal will be divided into 4 separate grades, one for each
section of the book (i.e.: Freshman Year, Sophomore Year, Junior Year, and Senior Year). For
each “year,” you will have a total of 2 entries you are responsible for. One topic will be
provided for you, referring to specific entries in that particular year. However, the other entry
will be a detailed response to any of the other entries in that section which appeal to you in some
way. Each response must be reflective, insightful and structured in paragraph form, very similar
to the entries you will be reading throughout the book. In other words, we are expecting you to
WRITE LIKE THE FREEDOM WRITERS did.
Freshman Year:
MY CHOICES FOR YOU (PICK 1)
1. Based on Diary 1: First Day of School: This student passes judgment on Ms. Gruwell
and the other students in class without waiting to get to know them first. Why do people
label one another? How would you have been labeled if you’d been sitting in that
classroom? How would it have made you feel?
2. Based on Diary 5: Buying a Gun: This Freedom Writer describes how buying and
carrying a gun provided a sense of strength and protection even though it was dangerous.
Think of the troubles you face in your life. Describe what provides you strength and
protection. Is it something physical or part of your personality?
3. Based on Diary 19: Oklahoma Bombing: This Freedom Writer describes people who
commit acts of violence by stating: “They are just like walking time bombs waiting to go
off… .” Think of a time when you experienced yourself or someone else “going off.”
What happened? What were the consequences?
FOR YOUR SECOND ENTRY:
Select a diary entry from Freshman Year (different from those listed above) that appeals to you
in some way and respond to it.
Name: ______________________________
Period: ______________
Freedom Writers’ Diary
Journal Entries
Directions: In addition to the running record you will be completing as you read The
Freedom Writers’ Diary, you will also be expected to respond to several entries of the
book in a more detailed, yet reflective manner. This journal will be divided into 4
separate grades, one for each section of the book (i.e.: Freshman Year, Sophomore Year,
Junior Year, and Senior Year). For each “year”, you will have a total of 2 entries you
are responsible for. Three topics will be provided for you, referring to specific entries in
that particular year. However, the other entry will be a detailed response to any of the
other entries in that section which appeal to you in some way. Each response must be
reflective, insightful and structured in paragraph form, very similar to the entries you will
be reading throughout the book. WRITE LIKE THE FREEDOM WRITERS did.
Sophomore Year:
MY CHOICES FOR YOU (PICK 1)
1.
Based on Diary 29: Medieval Times: In this entry, the writer describes a situation
where he suffered discrimination because of the way he was dressed. Think about
how other people react to your own appearance. Describe a time when you or
someone you know was treated differently from others because of what you were
wearing.
2.
Based on Diary 31: Toast for Change: This student writes, “I was always known as
the person that was going to be a druggie, or get pregnant before I turned 14 and
dropped out. Now I have the chance to prove them wrong.” What expectations are
put on you because of your past actions? How do you feel about this? Explain what
you will do to improve those expectations.
3.
Based on Diary 52: Divorce: The Freedom Writer shares the experience of having
to keep a family secret. Reflect on a time when you were responsible for keeping a
secret. What was that like for you? Did you keep the secret or share it with
someone?
FOR YOUR SECOND ENTRY:
Select a diary entry from Sophomore Year (different from those listed above) that appeals to you
in some way and respond to it.
Name: _____________________________
Period: _______________
Freedom Writers’ Diary
Journal Entries
Directions: In addition to the running record you will be completing as you read The
Freedom Writers’ Diary, you will also be expected to respond to several entries of the
book in a more detailed, yet reflective manner. This journal will be divided into 4
separate grades, one for each section of the book (i.e.: Freshman Year, Sophomore Year,
Junior Year, and Senior Year). For each “year”, you will have a total of 2 entries you
are responsible for. Three topics will be provided for you, referring to specific entries in
that particular year. However, the other entry will be a detailed response to any of the
other entries in that section which appeal to you in some way. Each response must be
reflective, insightful and structured in paragraph form, very similar to the entries you will
be reading throughout the book. WRITE LIKE THE FREEDOM WRITERS did.
Junior Year:
MY CHOICES FOR YOU (PICK 1)
1. Based on Diary 55: A Grandmother’s Death: This student ends the entry by writing,
“No one really understood what I was feeling. They were so caught up in what they
thought about me that they didn’t really care.” Reflect on a time when you felt
misunderstood. Write to explain why others did not understand you. What did you
or could you do to help them have a better picture of who you were?
2. Based on Diary 79: Freedom Writers Unite: The writer of this entry describes how
the Freedom Writers are going to meet with the U.S. Secretary of Education because
“we want people who are adults to take the time to listen to teenagers and respect
what we have to say.” What important information about being young would you
want to explain if you had a similar opportunity?
3. Based on Diary 97: Separation Anxiety: The writer describes finding a family in the
Freedom Writers that she lacked at home. Think about the people you consider your
family. What makes a group of people a family? What do you do to make other
people feel like they are family?
FOR YOUR SECOND ENTRY:
Select a diary entry from Junior Year (different from those listed above) that appeals to you in
some way and respond to it.
Name: _______________________________
Period: ____________________
Freedom Writers’ Diary
Journal Entries
Directions: In addition to the running record you will be completing as you read The
Freedom Writers’ Diary, you will also be expected to respond to several entries of the
book in a more detailed, yet reflective manner. This journal will be divided into 4
separate grades, one for each section of the book (i.e.: Freshman Year, Sophomore Year,
Junior Year, and Senior Year). For each “year”, you will have a total of 2 entries you
are responsible for. Three topics will be provided for you, referring to specific entries in
that particular year. However, the other entry will be a detailed response to any of the
other entries in that section which appeal to you in some way. Each response must be
reflective, insightful and structured in paragraph form, very similar to the entries you will
be reading throughout the book. WRITE LIKE THE FREEDOM WRITERS did.
Senior Year
MY CHOICES FOR YOU (PICK 1)
1. Based on Diary 111: Sorority Hazing: In this entry, the writer talks about how she
was a member of a popular sorority and watched on as new “pledges” were hazed.
Think about what people are willing to endure to become popular. Explain what
people have to gain by being part of the “popular” crowd. What do they stand to
lose?
2. Based on Diary 118: Abuse of Power: This Freedom Writer’s father inflicts abuse
on the writer and the writer’s siblings. The author ends the entry by saying that they
will break the cycle of abuse. We learn many things from the positive role models
around us and sometimes even more from negative role models. Write about a person
that you view as a negative role model and what they taught you.
3. Based on Diary 129: “Whoever Saves One Life Saves the World Entire.”: In this
entry, the author reflects on a powerful statement: “Whoever saves one life, saves the
world entire.” Think of the experiences of the Freedom Writers and the people they
have met. Explain whether or not one person can make a difference to the world.
FOR YOUR SECOND ENTRY:
Select a diary entry from Senior Year (different from those listed above) that appeals to you in
some way and respond to it.