Acts of Terrorism

Diary 19 is a response to the 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing. This tragic event was the worst act of terrorism in the US until September 11, 2001. What are your thoughts after reading diary 19 and the article, "Oklahoma City Tragedy"? Do you think we have learned anything from these tragedies? What lessons should we have learned?

Dealing with Bullies

Diary 17: Pretend you are Ms. Gruwell, and one of your students just wrote this entry in her Freedom Writer’s Diary and asked you to read it and write back to her. Write a response to your student that lets her know that you read her entry and that you really do care about her.

Romeo & Juliet

Diaries 15 & 16 are student reactions to the play Romeo & Juliet. Explain how Ms. Gruwell's students were able to make connections between their own lives and the story of Romeo & Juliet. What lessons did they learn from the play? How did the play reflect their personal experiences?

Going to Extreme Measures

Diaries 7&8 deal with the lengths people are willing to go to be accepted. Choose 1 to resond to. Do you think what the author did was worth it? Why or why not?

Lessons of Tolerance

Diary entries 1-5 address the issue of racial tension in school. Choose one entry to respond to. How does this entry address racial tension? Does this entry focus on acts of tolerance or intolerance? Explain. Be sure to include the diary number, and please sign your post with your student ID number.