Dealing with inner city kids. Starting with challenging days with students not wanting to read about "dead white guys in tights." Erin have them all write in their journals. After some time she found Homer. They would be interested in a 'Homie' trying to get home.
The life story of the students that had many challenges. It was more important to make people laugh than be laughed at by the teacher. It was better to belong to a gang and belong. It was better to be beaten than to not belong.
Given an opportunity to change then reading the Diary of a Young Girl. This student was able to relate (after being supported to connect the similarities) Maria was captured to reading the story but was shocked when Anne dies. This surprise was a loss of hope, but Darius commented that Anne did live because of the writing she did.
Darius was inspired to write to the women that helped hide Anne. She did come. All 150 students came to the 'student renovated' community centre.
There is too much to share with the story. I am certain that Teaching Hope by the Freedom Writers and Erin Gruwell will be an incredible read. So many stories ....
Very moving story.
150 students that had a difference made for them, 150 students that chose to make a change, 150 students that made a difference by raising money to present their stories to Congress, 150 students invited 150 teachers and trained them in what it takes to reach students. 150 teachers that then wrote their stories.
Very powerful story and great way to end NECC.
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