Have you ever seen the movie freedom writers? 

Final Project: Freedom Writers Assignment

In an effort to assist you with your reinforcement (something you do well) and refinement areas
(something you can improve on) in behavior management in your classrooms, I want you to
watch how other teachers have been successful at implementing the things that we have talked
about this semester.

1. I want you to go to watch the movie Freedom Writers (it is also available on Netflix if
you have it). This movie is based on a true story of how a teacher successfully taught
inner city youths that most people, including family, had given up on.

2. As you are watching the movie, I want you to take notes of what you see as it relates to
behavior and instruction of both the teacher and students, but I want you to watch it
through the lens of a teacher. Think about questions like how the teacher get them
engaged (e.g. Chapter 4- Prevention Through Effective Instruction), how does she build
rapport, how does she set the tone for the class, etc. As you watch, jot down some notes
of things that you notice, that stand out to you, that you have tried or seen, or that you
would like to try.

3. With your notes, I’d like for you to compare what you think your reinforcement and
refinement area (as it relates to behavior management) would have been if you were a
first-year teacher at the beginning of the semester (if you are not currently teaching) with
what you think your reinforcement and refinement area would have been if you were a
first-year teacher after taking this class. If you are a current teacher compare your
reinforcement and refinement areas as it relates to behavior from the beginning of the
semester until the end. How have you grown? What did you learn that you did not know?
What if anything, will you use? What has been the most beneficial? What is something
that you still need to learn as it relates to behavior management? Then, you will need to
select 5 chapters from the text and summarize how they were displayed in the movie. Use
character quotes, information from the text, and scene descriptions to support your
choice. Then discuss why you selected those chapters, their importance in behavior
management, and how you plan to execute the components of these chapters in your
classrooms or future classrooms.

4. Use quotes from the characters, scene descriptions, and information from the text to
support your thoughts.

Part B

1. Once you have completed the summary, I want you to create a pictorial version of your
classroom (3-D model, online software version, hand drawn, picture collage, etc.). Spend
some time researching behavior management plans from veteran teachers and other
sources. Find out how they establish rules, procedures, and their behavior management
plan. Do not forget to cite the sources.

a. Create rules
b. Create procedures

c. Create physical arrangement of your classroom as you would like to see it.
d. Plan for creating a safe, warm, loving, nurturing environment
e. Behavior Management Plan

i. Hierarchy of Reinforcement (examples please do not use)
1. 3 tokens= a sticker
2. 6 tokens= extra recess
3. 10 tokens=treasure box

ii. Hierarchy of consequences (examples please do not use)
1. Verbal warning
2. Written warning
3. Call home to parents

Use the information from the movie, personal experience, and your creativity, to complete this
section. Please relate all of this to what we have discussed this semester. Once completed, upload
to blackboard. I can’t wait to hear about your experience, thoughts and the knowledge you have
gained this semester.