Freedom Writers

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Freedom Writers: Express Yourself

The Movie and Book

Freedom Writers, based on the book The Freedom Writers Diary: How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves and the World Around Them tells the true story of an idealistic, young English teacher named Erin Gruwell, who teaches the “at-risk” students at Wilson High School in Long Beach, California.  Set in the mid-90s, in the years following the Rodney King riots, Gruwell’s diverse group of students struggle in the racial gang war culture of the time.  Using books such as Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl and Zlata’s Diary: A Child’s Life in Sarajevo, Gruwell decides to lead her class in a life-changing journey against intolerance. Full synopsis here.

The Curriculum

The Freedom Writers: Express Yourself youth development discussion guide includes group discussion questions and activity ideas for youth ages 13-18. 

Themes in this guide include:

• Tolerance
• Writing as a form of self-expression
• Overcoming adversity
• Anti-violence
• Trust and Respect

Please ensure the site where youth view the movie has a license to screen it.