The Freedom Writers

Students in 7th period Writer's Workshop have been working diligently on their Freedom Writers projects, based on the book we finished reading with the same name and compiled by teacher Erin Gruwell. As the California-based students derived their name on the Freedom Riders, a group of activists from diverse backgrounds who rode a bus around the country to spread the message of equality and compassion during a time of great oppression and segregation in the United States. 7th period explored their own personal and unique experiences and wrote about them in order to initiate communication about our society today and to become better acquainted with the common struggles of all peoples. Their diaries, after much work drafting, peer editing, revising, and publishing were beautiful, moving, and reflected students who were deeply aware. 7th period, through writing, reached an understanding with not only themselves, but also with one another to overcome stereotypes and judgement we so often face in society. Well done writers!!