Ms. Gruwell
The Freedom Writers
Lessons Learned
The Class
100

What was Ms. Gruwell's room number?

203

100

How did they get their name?

From the freedom riders

100

What is the big lesson the students learned?

To trust other peoples backgrounds and not to judge

100

How do the students tell their stories?

The diaries

200

What year of teaching was it for Ms. Gruwell?

1st year by herself

200

How many freedom writers graduated high school?

All 150 of them

200

How do the students begin to like Ms. Gruwell?

She gains their trust and shows them how to use their voice

200

How many computers did John Tu bring to the class?

35

300

How does she teach her students?

Puts her teachings to their real life struggles

300

What does writing help the students with?

Express their feelings

300

What real world event do they learn about that relates to prejudice?

The Holocaust

300

What does the diaries become after the idea from Ms. Gruwell?

The Freedom Writers Book

400

Where does Ms. Gruwell live?

Long Beach

400

What book did they read that changed their perspective?

The Diary of Anne Frank

400

What is the main message of the Freedom Writers Diary?

That understanding real life things can overcome hate. Coming together as a family.

400

What do the students find about themselves through room 203?

They have a voice and they can use it through many different things.

500

How does Ms. Gruwell change her students?

She showed them what it was like to be seen

500

Why did the freedom writers go on trips?

To learn lessons about what they are talking about, and to try and get people to publish their book

500

How do the students become a family?

They learn to come together as one and to not look at ethnicity.

500

About how many trips did room 203 go on?

5