Film: Freedom Writers

This 2007 film was based on a true story and also based on a group of teenagers' diaries. The film was set in the surroundings of Wilson Classical Institute, California, United States. This emotional story begins in the classroom number 203 where a group of young students were asked by a very intelligent Teacher of Literature called Erin Gruwell (starring Hilary Swank) to make a debate about Racism. At the beginning of the lessons in this Institute, students were not belong to each other just because they did not stand their differences such us social backgrounds, ideas, physical characteristics and past facts in which they belonged to opposite gangs. As a result, these students were absolutely marked by negatives emotions such as Discrimination, Delinquency and also Racism in those days. For all these problems they suffered a lot, the felt they were nothing; nevertheless, the teacher Erin Gruwell decided to prepare some activites to make her students change positively so that they can accept and respect each other by removing their fears, hates and negative events from the past. In order to achieve these positive changes in her students, the teacher first took them to the "Museum of Tolerance" in Los Angeles to show the consequences of The Holocaust. Later, she was able to invite Miep Gies who used to be friend of Ana Frank. Miep Gies travelled to California to gave a great, interesting and emotional conference to these students from Long Beach who got totally moved by her speech.

One significant value I found in this film was Persistence since students made big efforts to understand what racism is about and get rid of their differences that affected them every day. Another important value I found in this film was Acceptation since students from this Institute were able to share their emotions and experiences. They learned from their classmates regardless their past events thanks to the teacher Gruwell who asked them to write notes in small diaries that would refflect anything they want to express. In conclusion, this film was an example of Improvement, Comradeship and Inspiration due to the fact that the students from Wilson Classical Institute became The Freedom Writers. In addition, this fabulous teacher of literature was recognized as the best teacher in the state of California because she marked her student's lives forever. It was simply an spectacular play reflecting Humanity. It touched me deep inside.

Film: Dances with wolves

This was en epic film based on a Civil War period (1861-1865) in The United States . The the film tells the story of a lieutenant of the The United States Army called John Dunbar (starring the famous actor, Kevin Costner) who is sent to an american frontier that was actually an indigenous territory where he becomes friend of a Sioux tribe. Before meeting this tribe, Mr. Dunbar had met a nice and nimble wolf that he named "two socks" because of the colour of its front legs.

In the film, I was able to appreciate the following values and emotions: a very remarkable value was Friendship since Mr. Dunbar became friend of an indigenous group of Lakotas by adopting their traditions and habits. Another important value I noticed in the film was Acceptation, at the beginning Lakotas did not trust in this american lieutenant but they realized he was a friendly man with good intentions so they did not consider him as an enemy and was included as part of the Sioux tribe giving him the lakotan name of "Dances With Wolves". A noticeable emotion that is presented in the film was Love when John Dunbar fell in love with a white girl (starring Mary Mcdonnel) who was part of this group of Lakotas who had given her the name of "Stands With A Fist". Later, this pretty girl became John Dumber's wife because she considered John Dunbar a brave and wonderful man . As a conclusion, I really love this film since I consider it very interesting and cultural since some dialogues were spoken in the lakotan language and the locations of the film were amazing. I was able to learn and appreciate many things in this film. Unfortunately, "two socks" died, therefore, Sadness can be another significant emotion for me. I could not accept its death but, of course, I know it was just part of a scene of the film.

Effective Teachers' characteristics

In this presentation, I learned that effective teachers have vocation, enthusiasm and vitality. Teachersare interested in their students, they are involved with their student's learning process, and they are capable of making their subjects entertaining and interesting. The integrants mentioned that effective teachers have high expectations from their students, they know they are able to learn a lot and this is the major emphasis nowadays. All of us must consider that teachers must be very responsible professionals since they always have to plan their lessons and they use many methodologies to help students to understand. Teachers also modify his or her teaching strategis if necessary

With reference to the group which was compounded by Leandro Barahona and Fabian Martinez, I can say that they were clear and concise enough. The presentation was quite interesting. I noticed they were well-organized because they prepared the material and created a good activity. I really like creative minds.

The young Teacher and Teenagers: Vertical or Horizontal Relations

This group was compounded by Francisco Campos and Melissa Herrera. They talked about the relations among the teacher and their students. I learned that teachers and students have certain relations which can play a substantial role in the learning process. They said that these relations can be both vertical or horizontal. On one hand, vertical relations are based on Authority which is represented by the teacher. Nevertheless, students may be afraid of the teacher at the moment of giving instructions or asking for homework in class. By the other hand, there are horizontal relations that correspond to a more flexible position of the teacher who increases the communication with students.

According to the group presentation seen in class, I can say that I liked it. Melissa has a good pronunciation and she used the teaching space in an appropiate way; besides, she moved a lot which is something absolutely important when teaching. Francisco has a good voice proyection, I could understand what he said; however he has to practice his English since I noticed some grammar mistakes but I know he can improve. One nice strenght of this group was the seating arrangement. Everybody was sit down in a semi-circle, I really liked that. They turned the teaching space into their own stage, that's awesome!.




but it is not set up which realtion is the best

Teacher's Styles, Which style are you?

This amazing group presentation was compounded by María Paz Colli, Roxana Espinoza and Renato Ramirez. They talked about the different styles that a teacher may adopt. Thanks to this presentation, I could understand that a teacher do not always shows either a particular personality or adopt a specific style. Teachers can have a disciplined, authoritarian or a popular style. A disciplined teacher is the one who likes to see good manners and correct behaviors in the classroom. In the case of authoritarian teachers, we can define them as dictatorial and demaning people who are constantly asking students to make homework, researchs and other kinds of tasks. In comparison with the other charcteristics, the popular teacher is the one who is very funny, friendly sociable with students and they can become very well known in their institutions.

Concerning the question, my answer is the popular style. As I mentioned in class I have always liked to be close to people. Being nice and friendly makes me feel comfortable and happy. Besides, I often smile any time any place and this is something totally good since I can obtain trust from people very easily. For all these reasons I am usually named as "The famous One".

Teachers' personalities

In this group we saw Pamela Asencio, Pia Bascuñan and Javiera Ramos. They talked about some essential characteristics that teachers may have. I learned that teachers can have many personalities. They adopt a set of attitues that they manifest in the classroom at the moment of delivering their knowledge. Some tecaher personalities are ethical, autoritarian, disciplined and popular. All of them can take part in the teaching-learning process inside a formal setting such us institutions, schools, colleges, etc.

I think this group was great, they spoke very clearly but they have to pay attention to their sepaking speed since I noticed that Pia and Javiera talked too fast. Integrants must speak in a quiet way, breathing and respecting the integrants' pauses. Two clear strenghts of this group were the use of the teaching space and also their good command of English. I think they have kept their quality performance in micro-teachings and presentations.

How Teachers inspire

The integrants of this group were Franco Palma and Marlene Orellana. They talked about how teachers inspire. They said that it is important that teachers engage students to learn in class. However, teachers do not motivate their students but they give conditions to motivate them. Besides, they are interested in making students learn by doing dynamic and entertaining lessons.

Regarding this presentation, I reckon this group did it well but there must be balance in their teaching roles since I noticed that Franco talked too much and he did not move in comparison to Marlene who used her teaching space very well. It is important to mention that we must have a good use of the teaching space in order to obtain attention from the audience and keep the eye contact.

What's going on with public school? how do you feel about it?

Public School has been a very controversial matter in which students and teachers are involved. As we must know there are many educational weaknesses in Chile such as the quality of education, laws (e.g. L.O.C.E. and L.G.E.), social resources and needs. Nowadays, most students from municipal schools are not attending to their lessons because teachers have been spending a difficult situation that deals with no payment of Subsidy bonds. These bonds are owed by the Government which has not wanted to grant these bonds to finish this problem. Therefore, municipal teachers have stopped doing lessons because they are on strike in order to protest, expecting a complete solution from the Government along with the Education Department. Besides, teachers will not stop until Government fulfills their demands, otherwise students will continue losing lessons.

I reckon all of these facts mean more problems for our society since students are constantly losing lessons because of municipal teachers' strike. So, how do I feel about all this situation about public school? On one hand, I feel absolutely worried, there must be a solution at the earliest possible date. I am affected by this problem since I have not been able to continue my professional practice; I have many reports and other activities to do so I will not be able to prepare either observation notes or lessons in class wether teachers' strike continues. On the other hand, Government must give these Subsidy bonds to municipal teachers soon which correspond to 9 hundread thousand pesos, an amount of money that they deserve for all their years of dedication, effort and humanity they have provided. As Mr. Santelices used to say (old Curriculum and evaluation Professor from Central University, 2006) " the Teacher is the least recognized and awarded person in this world" and this is terrible, I hope there is a solution as soon as possible, otherwise educational weaknesses will last for a long time.