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Departments: Resources
At-Risk Kids Get on the Right Track

Long Beach teacher, students chronicle a tale of tolerance.

The Freedom Writers Diary:
How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing To Change Themselves and the World Around Them
With Erin Gruwell
Main Street Books/Doubleday, $12.95, 280 pages

Click here to order The Freedom Writers Diary from Amazon.com.

Flash back to September 1996. Erin Gruwell, fresh out of college, gets her first full-time assignment at Woodrow Wilson High in Long Beach. Her students are 150 freshmen, and most of them, it’s fair to say, don’t really want to be in Gruwell’s English classes.

Now flash forward to December 1999. Erin Gruwell is teaching at a local university, and, has just announced that she is running for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. And all 150 of the students who began their high school careers with her four years ago—every single one of them—is in college. Many are working to elect Erin Gruwell.

What happened in between 1996 and 1999 is what’s between the covers of this book. It really is a tale of what can happen when students whose academic interests are practically nonexistent hook up with a teacher who believes in them and in herself.

“These were students who were gang members, alienated, kids who didn’t want to talk with one another or work in groups,’’ Gruwell told NEA Today recently. “Early on I intercepted an ugly racial caricature one of the students had drawn. So I decided to build the classes around discussions of tolerance.”

Gruwell chose two books written about teenagers—Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl and Zlata’s Diary: A Child’s Life in Sarajevo.

Gradually, the students began to draw parallels between the books’ characters and their own lives. The key was having the students record their thoughts in diaries that led to the students dubbing themselves the Freedom Writers, honoring the South’s original Freedom Riders.

“I remember many nights staying till 11, weekends, too,’’ says Gruwell. “We had a Readathon for Tolerance that raised money to go on field trips.”

Gruwell helped bring Miep Gies, the Dutch woman who sheltered the Frank family, to her school.

“My classroom became students’ safe haven, much like the attic where Anne Frank hid out or the Sarajevo basement where Zlata went during the war in Sarajevo,” she points out. “The kids wanted to be away from violence and family problems.’’

In their junior year, several of the Freedom Writers journeyed with Gruwell to Washington, D.C. to deliver their stories to Secretary of Education Richard Riley. Their diaries won the Spirit of Anne Frank Award, which is supported by Doubleday books. Doubleday subsequently published the Freedom Writers book.

Funds from the sale of this book go for college tuition for the Freedom Writers and maintain The Tolerance Education Foundation, which Gruwell founded in 1997.

The foundation promotes tolerance education and plans to issue a tolerance curriculum for secondary school students. Write the Foundation at 2029 Century Park East, suite 4000, Los Angeles, CA 90067. Attention: Don Parris.

Erin Gruwell is currently teacher in residence at California State University, where she works with prospective teachers.

Excerpt:
“Ms. Gruwell stood on the desk and began to talk about ‘change.’ I thought, ‘What is this lady trying to do?’… I guess I was offered an opportunity that not many people have… I was always known as the person that was going to be a druggie, or get pregnant before I turned fourteen... Now I have the chance to prove them wrong.”

—Sophomore year: Diary 31

“Remember back in our freshman year, people still didn’t understand the importance of a pen instead of a gun… But look at us now, the sure-to-drop-out kids are sure to reach higher education… These urban kids, however, were never truly given the chance to prove that if only given the opportunity, we could rise to the occasion; and rise to the occasion we have.’’

—Senior year, Diary 142

Books by NEA Members

The Sexually Abused Child: A Parent’s Guide to Coping and Understanding
Kathleen Flynn Mach, MSW Sadly, reports of sexual abuse of children are on the rise. This book describes the important warning signs of abuse for parents and caregivers to watch for. It also discusses topics that include supporting your child and therapy and healing strategies. 83 pp., $9.95 plus $3.50 s&h from Family Insight Books, P.O. Box 148, Williamsburg, MI 49690,800/507-2665.

Kids First! Family Education Program
Jennifer Burton Bauer Teachers can help parents make learning at home fun with this imaginative book. An easy-to-follow resource guide, Kids First! covers the home environment, motivation and self-esteem, homework, study skills and test taking, parent-teacher relationships, discipline and values, reading, and fun learning activities.138 pp., $12.95 plus $3 s&h from Kids First! 13700 Santa Lucia Rd., Atascadero, CA 93422, 805/461-9696.

Zipper, The Kid with ADHD
Caroline Janover This funny yet realistic tale about a boy with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) will encourage children with the disorder to find ways to manage their behavior and give their friends a look at what it’s like to have the disorder. The book includes an appendix of information about ADHD, along with a list of support organizations, and a reading list.164 pp.,$11.95 plus $4 s&h from Woodbine House, 6510 Bells Mill Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817. 800/843-7323.

“Mommy…this is hard for me”: A Perspective on the Student with Special Needs Who Is Included Within the Regular Public School Classroom
Michael C. Abraham Follow the educational experiences of a boy with special needs, Timmy, from his first day of kindergarten through his high school graduation. The discussion, along with Timmy’s story, takes a close look at many issues teachers must face with inclusion. 71 pp., $12 plus $5 s&h to Educational Systems Associates, Inc., P.O. Box 96, Kearney, NE 68848, 308/234-6261.

Thought Exercises: A Guide to Assist in the Development of Thinking Skills
Phyllis Reed with foreword by Jack Canfield, president of Self Esteem Seminars From setting goals to thinking about happiness, this book helps students develop necessary critical thinking skills. Thought Exercises will encourage students to explore the conse-quences of their actions, form opinions, and establish their own values.82 pp., $15.95 plus 8 percent s&h from P.O. Box 3247, Fullerton CA 92834, 714/447-0349.

New from the NEA Professional Library

Assessing Learning in the Classroom (Revised Edition)
Jay McTighe and Steven Ferrara.
NEA Professional Library. 37 pp., $5.95, #2070-7-00-WB

Why do we test? The authors believe the primary purpose ought to be to inform teaching and improve learning. Assessing Learning in the Classroom offers hands-on information that can help demystify the testing process.

You’ll find the principles of effective classroom assessment, key questions to ask in planning, a framework of different approaches and methods, new evaluation and communication methods, and a glossary of assessment terms. You’ll also find sample rubrics and rating scales that can be adapted for a variety of content areas.

This first book in the NEA Student Assessment Series is a basic primer for educators interested in examining methods to effectively and fairly assess their students.

For more information or to order, call 800/229-4200. To order on the Web, go to www.nea.org/books.

Excerpt
The field of student assessment, from methodology and techniques to the use of results, is changing, affecting the work of education employees. These changes have created new options and new concerns, especially in the use of assessment results. The authors believe that the primary purpose of classroom-based assessment is to inform teaching and improve learning, not to sort students or to justify a grade. Effective classroom assessment is ongoing. Effective teachers recognize that assessment results can inform them about the effectiveness of their teaching as well as the degree of student learning.

TV Tips

KIDSNET, a national resource for children's media in Washington, DC, provides the TV Tips listings. For more information on children's shows, check out the KIDSNET Web site.

Dear Home: Letters from World War II
The History Channel, Friday, March 17, 6-7 pm ET. This documentary examines how Americans dealt with the emotional trauma of World War II by looking at actual letters written by servicemen and their loved ones at home. The program is presented in conjunction with The History Channel’s ongoing Save Our History campaign to help raise funds for the planned World War II memorial in Washington, D.C. For study guides and an online letter archive, as well as ways students can participate in Save Our History, visit historychannel.com/classroom or call 1-877-87-LEARN.

Between the Lions
PBS, Monday-Friday, 10:30-11 am ET, premieres April 3. Targeted to beginning readers aged 4-7, this new program uses a combination of music, stories, animation, live-action, and puppetry to introduce kids to the joys of reading. The program features a family of lions who run a library where books, words, and story characters come to life, making the reading process accessible and entertaining for young viewers. Designed with the help of teachers and literacy experts, the program’s core curriculum is supported by an extensive outreach network of educational organizations. The companion site, pbskids.org/lions, includes details about these outreach partners as well as interactive games and stories, songs, recommended book lists, and educational support for teachers and parents.

The Ultimate Guide: Human Body
Discovery Channel, Monday, March 20, 9-10 pm ET. This visually striking documentary takes viewers inside the functioning of bones, skin, eyes, ears, and the brain, using microscopic and endoscopic filming, extreme close-ups, computer-generated graphics, and MRI scans of brain activity to reveal how the overall human mechanism functions. The program examines such phenomena as the connection between sense and emotion, the production of DNA in the cell, and the brain’s unique adaptability. Visit school.discovery.com for lesson plans and more information on the “Ultimate Guide” series.

Dying To Be Thin
PBS, Tuesday, March 21, 9-10 pm ET, check local listings. This episode of the documentary series NOVA examines the growing problem of eating disorders among young girls in the United States. Millions of Americans each year suffer from anorexia, bulimia, or binge-eating disorders in pursuit of an impossible body image. Most keep their disorders secret, creating a high risk of serious complications or death. This program considers the complex social and health-related factors that lead to eating disorders and the therapies that can help bring relief. Visit www.pbs.org/nova for lesson ideas, teachers’ discussion, and transcripts for all NOVA programs.

Education: A Public Right Gone Wrong
PBS, Friday, March 24, 9-10 pm ET, check local listings. In this edition of the provocative current events series “National Desk,” journalist Larry Elder investigates some controversial issues in the American public education system, which some say has deteriorated before bureaucracy and mismanagement. The program considers proposed reforms from all sides, including school choice, public vouchers, charter schools, private scholarships, home schooling, and tax credits.

Scientific American Frontiers: Mediterranean on the Rocks
PBS, Tuesday, March 28, 8-9 pm ET, check local listings. This ecological and archaeological profile of the Mediterranean Sea explores its role in the history of civilization, the varieties of life it supports, and the environmental threats it faces. Host Alan Alda joins scientists as they search for a dangerous species of algae, build an ancient style of reed boat from natural papyrus, and search for shipwrecks in high-tech subs. Visit www.pbs.org/saf for teachers’ materials and transcripts for all Scientific American programs.

30x30 Kid Flicks
HBO Family, Daily, 4:30-5 pm ET. This half-hour series features short films, videos, and animated pieces written, produced, and directed by kids aged 8-18. The program demonstrates how effective filmmaking can be as a means of expression when children are encouraged to create their own innovative dramas, comedies, and documentaries. The programs also go behind the scenes to examine the young filmmakers’ techniques, and the companion site, www.hbo4kids.com, offers advice and suggestions for viewers interested in creating their own films.

Women’s History Month Biographies
A&E, weekdays throughout March, 7-8 am ET, check local listings. To help celebrate Women’s History Month, A&E Classroom is offering several “Biography” programs about important women in history and American culture, including Anne Frank, Amelia Earhart, Madeleine Albright, Gloria Steinem, Cleopatra, Susan B. Anthony, Helen Thomas, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Helen Keller. Study guides with program descriptions, vocabulary lists, discussion questions, and activities are available for many of the programs at www.aetv.com/class.

Announcements

Take Our Daughters To Work Day
April 27, 2000, marks the eighth annual Take Our Daughters to Work Day. This year, the Ms. Foundation for Women is offering new tools for teachers to incorporate issues of work, family, caring, and student’s own personal and professional goals in the classroom.

The Working It Out series is designed primarily for students aged 9-15, but can easily be adapted to meet the needs of older or younger students. It contains two guidebooks with lesson plans and activities. Class Activities for Coeducational Groups consists of exercises that address the needs and concerns of girls and boys.

With more than 19 million girls across the nation at their parent or mentor’s workplace, many boys will remain in the classroom. The second book, Especially for Boys, contains specific activities that teachers can use to address the particular issues or concerns of boys that may arise as part of the educational activities associated with Take Our Daughters to Work Day. $10 for the two books plus $4 s&h. Ms. Foundation for Women, P.O. Box 890350 Charlotte, NC 28289. 212/742-2300.

For more information on Take Our Daughters to Work Day, visit http://ms.foundation.org.

French Teacher Conference
The second annual French Teaching Methodology and Quebec Culture Program will be held on June 25 through July 2, 2000, in Montreal and Quebec City. This conference is intended for teachers and future teachers of French who would like the opportunity to master a variety of teaching methods and to create instructional activities integrated with Quebec culture. All courses and participant interaction will be conducted entirely in French. Undergraduate, graduate, and in-service credits are available. $50 advanced registration is required. The $750 program fee is due by June 25, 2000. On the Web at http://homepages.together.net/~lhostel. For more information, call Elizabeth White, 518/561-0093 or E-mail lhostel@ together.net.

Budding Inventors
This summer students across the country will run wild with their imaginations at a camp designed to inspire new creations. Camp Invention is a hands-on, one-week camp that is designed for children entering second through sixth grades. More than 400 schools nationwide will partner with the program to inspire inventiveness in more than 27,000 campers this summer. Working together, the Camp Invention program provides the curriculum, materials, training, central reservation system, marketing, and staff compensation, while local host schools provide the space and the staff. Campers develop creative thinking and problem-solving skills through five fun-filled, activity-oriented thematic modules that integrate science, math, history, and the arts. For more information visit them on the Web at www.invent.org.

Census 2000
Stand up and be counted! “Making Sense of Census 2000” is this year’s Census in the Schools Project and offers a number of resources for educators, students, and even principals to make learning about the Census fun and exciting. The goal of the project is to develop awareness, participation, and support of Census 2000, which, among many things, helps determine the allocation of resources for schools. The Census Bureau, in conjunction with Scholastic Inc., offers a kit for principals to help encourage teachers and parents to be involved in the counting of America’s people. The project also includes free materials available to teachers such as lesson plans, a giant wall map of the United States, and a teacher’s guide with grade-specific materials. All educational materials are available on the Web at http://www.census.gov/dmd/
www/schindex.htm. Or Contact Scholastic/Census 2000. 555 Broadway, Room 478, New York, NY 10012, 800/296-5923, Fax 212/343-4867.

Embrace Space
Blast off into an exciting adventure in the cosmos on Space Day 2000. May 7 is the fourth annual celebration of the achievements, benefits, and opportunities of space exploration. Senator John Glenn invites students in grades 4 through 6 to climb aboard a comprehensive learning experience in cyberspace to celebrate the day called Design Challenges. From February 1 through March 31, students in teams of four tackle any of three space problems: space walk talk, water recycle, and x-treme fitness. On May 7, schools from around the globe will join a Web cast on-line to show off their “stellar” solutions. For complete descriptions of the Design Challenges and how to send your students’ results to Challenger Center for official recognition, log-on to www.spaceday.com.

Web Winners

Fun With Forests
“Wood” You Believe It? Trees are one of our greatest natural resources and now you can investigate them online with a new Web site. Developed for grades 4 through 5, Educational in Nature is designed to foster understanding and environmental awareness in the classroom. A Forest Is…, Birds & Forests, From the Forest, and the Forester’s Job are the four topics explored with teacher guides, activities, and words to know sections.

Amazing Space
Interested in learning more about space? The Association for Research in Astronomy teams scientists and K-12 educators with this site. Featuring a galaxy of links and teaching resources on the Hubble Space Telescope, planets, stars, and more, this Web site is a must-see for those interested in grants, education projects, and the latest news from outerspace. You’ll also find a link to apply for the Space Telescope Science Institute Education Outreach Program. It is a yearlong internship for secondary education teachers developing educational programs with the organization’s Outreach Office. The deadline to apply is March 20, 2000.

Study Guides and Strategies
Often a student’s ability to master writing and studying is the key to success. Study Guides and Strategies is an online manual to help teach students how to learn. These tips and tricks can assist with test taking, studying, writing essays, participating in the classroom, and more. High self-esteem is as easy as the click of a button.

Free or Inexpensive

Media Ethics
Students and teachers in high school and college can take an in-depth look at the media with Media Ethics: Where do you draw the line? Using a case study approach to understanding news coverage and journalistic decision-making, this guide also comes with transparencies. $25 includes s&h from Newseum Attn: Education Center, 1101 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22209, 703/284-3545, fax 703/522-4831. On the Web at www.newseum.org.

Science Experiments
Make learning about science fun and easy with one of the least expensive materials known to humankind, paper. 100 Science Experiments with Paper takes a hands-on approach to learning about air, balance, heat, chemistry, light, motion, math, water, and more. $14.95 plus $4 s&h from Sterling Publishing Co. Inc, 387 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016, 800/367-9692. On the Web at www.sterlingpub.com.

Women Leaders
Aung San Suu Kyi, Standing Up for Democracy in Burma is the first of a biographical series titled Women Changing the World. Students will discover Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, who rallied citizens against the oppression and poverty brought on by the totalitarian regime that took power in Burma in 1962. $9.95 plus $4 s&h from The Feminist Press at the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016 212/817-7915, fax 212/817-1593. On the Web at www.feministpress.org.

Bookpeople
Learn how to make visits from authors exciting with Terrific Connections with Authors, Illustrators and Storytellers, Real Space, and Virtual Links. From successfully choosing the right guest to using technology to maximize budgets, this book will help teachers and media specialists make professional presentations inspiring and productive. $26.50 plus $3 s&h from Libraries Unlimited, Inc. P.O. Box 6633 Englewood, CO 80155-6633, 800/237-6124. On the web at www.lu.com.

Home-School Communication
Make meaningful connections between the classroom and home with Parent Power, Energizing Home-School Communication.This comprehensive resource kit includes a rich collection of materials on a wide variety of topics, including reproducible essays in English and Spanish, tips for generating media attention for school outreach efforts, strategies for working with parent volunteers, and more. The book also includes a CD-ROM. $35 plus $4 s&h from Heinemann 361 Hanover Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801-3912, 800/793-2154. On the Web at www.heinemann.com.

Music Education
You’ve seen the Grammy® Awards, now learn about the music business with Grammy in the Schools® Career Handbook. From interviews with artists to video directors to music therapists, students will learn the in’s and out’s of the “biz.” Free plus $3 s&h from The NARAS Foundation, Education Division, 3402 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405. 301/392-3777. On the Web at www.grammy.com.

Delilah’s Dilemma
Are there itchy heads in the classroom? Delilah’s Dilemma, written by a school nurse and NEA member, can help young students learn about head lice and how to prevent it as Delilah effectively deals with the often emotional issue. $7 plus $2 s&h from Helen Locke, 4988 Beechwood Dr., Greenville, OH 45331, 937/548-0803.

Fruit and Veggie Music
It’s cool to eat fruits and vegetables with Dole’s new “Jammin’ 5 A Day Songs” cassette tape. A blend of rap, hip/hop, gospel, and pop songs promises to get elementary school kids excited about eating fruits and vegetables. Free. Send a request on school letterhead to DOLE Food Company, 155 Bovet Road, Suite 476, San Mateo, CA 94402. On the Web at www.dole5aday.com.

Dry Ice Investigations
In a series of 11 sessions, sixth through eighth graders can learn how to conduct their own dry ice science experiments with Dry Ice Investigations. The guide also helps solve the logistical problems of obtaining and storing dry ice for the classroom. $21 plus $4 s&h from Great Explorations in Math & Science, University of California Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley, CA 94720-5200, 510/642-7771, fax 510/643-0309.

Weather
The biggest weather phenomenon of the century is explained in the book El Niño and La Niña. As part of a series of books about weather from the Weather Channel, colorful pictures and easy-to-understand language help students understand this unusual weather occurrence. $3.99 plus $3.62 s&h from Simon & Schuster, 100 Front St., Riverside, NJ 08075, 800/223-2348. On the Web at www.simonsayskids.com.

Education Reform
Explore Kentucky’s statewide student assessment and high-stakes teacher accountability program with Accountability, Assessment, and Teacher Commitment, Lessons from Kentucky’s Reform Efforts. Policy makers, school administrators, teachers, teacher educators, parents, and more will learn about the classroom realities as well as the consequences of state-mandated reform. $21.95 plus $3.50 s&h from SUNY Press c/o CUP Services, P.O. Box 6525, Ithaca, NY 14851, 607/277-2211. On the Web at www.sunypress.edu.

Diversity Calendar

July
Anniversary of the Signing of the A.D.A., July 26
July 26 marks the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act that occurred in 1990, which brings civil rights to persons with disabilities. It provides for reasonable accommodation in work situations and also provides standards for physical accessibility to buildings and public transportation for people with disabilities. On the Web at www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm.

Pioneer Day, July 24
Also known as Days of 47, Mormons celebrate Pioneer Day to honor the U.S. pioneers who came across the plains to Utah. It commemorates the first settlement, led by Brigham Young in 1874. It is celebrated with parades and reminiscing about the pioneers and one’s ancestors. On the Web at www.uvol.com/pioneer/homepage.html.

August
Korean Liberation Day, August 15
Korean Liberation Day is celebrated for different reasons by North and South Korea. In North Korea, this celebration marks the surrender of Japan in 1945, ending WWII and the Japanese rule of Korea. In South Korea, it marks the surrender and also the creation of an independent government.

Women’s Equality Day, August 26
Women’s Equality Day in the U.S. was set aside in 1974 to honor the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution in 1920, which granted women the right to vote. On the Web at www.feminist.org/ other/wed.html.

Sept.
Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month, from September 15 to October 15, celebrates the contribution of Hispanic-Americans to our society. According to the U.S. Census Bureau about 20 million people in the United States are of Hispanic origin. Teaching about the contributions of Latinos helps students understand the ethnic diversity of the country and builds pride for the Hispanic community. Educator resources on the web at www.education-world.com/alesson/ lesson023.shtml.

Citizenship Day, September 17
Citizenship Day honors the more than 100,000 people from other countries who become U.S. citizens each year. President Harry Truman, in 1952, moved the day from May to September 17th because this day is the anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. This day also celebrates the Constitution because it is not only the Supreme Law of the Land, but also one of the oldest working documents in the world. On the Web at www.patriotism.org/citizenship/.