The Review of the film "Dangerous Minds"

Dangerous Minds

The film, which I have seen is titled “Dangerous Minds”. The star of this film is Michelle Pfeiffer. The movie is based on the autobiography My Posse Don't Do Homework by former U.S. Marine LouAnne Johnson, who took up a teaching position at Carlmont High School in Belmont, California, in 1989, where most of her students were African-American and Hispanic teenagers from East Palo Alto, a then-unincorporated town at the opposite end of the school district. The genre of the movie is drama.

When a retired U.S. Marine, LouAnne Johnson, decides to become a teacher, she is given a class of tough, street-wise kids, involved in gangs and drugs. Her initially meek demeanor, small stature, and white skin earn her the nickname "white bread" from her students. Determined to have them trust and respect her, she quickly changes her presentation, wearing leather jackets, teaching karate to her students and cursing in the classroom. Creating her own curriculum for her "socially challenged" class, she starts having them read poetry, using Bob Dylan lyrics to teach symbolism. Johnson rewards her students for their hard work by giving them candy bars to say good job, toy prizes and trip to a boardwalk theme park. Along with helping her students with school work, she also provides emotional support to several students, including a couple of wise-cracking boys who are too caught up in street politics for their own good, and a teen who's dealing with the reality of being pregnant in high school. Although she intends to leave at the end of the year, the students quote the lyrics of a Dylan Thomas poem that they learned and insist that she's their "light" and refuse to let her leave. Touched, she agrees to stay.

I like acting of actors, but I suppose that it will be possible to act better, especially young actors, who are students. But nevertheless, their costumes express the US of that time. It’s a pity, that there are several moments in the film when we manage to see the student’s family inside, their relationship and attitude to each other.

I’m deeply impressed by the way Luanne made the teens listen to her. At first I thought it would be impossible. She ultimately gets them to open up to learning and literature, through a combination of bribery (candy bars) and intimidation (her karate training from the Marines comes in handy), and she's able to reach out to the students who need her the most: Callie, a bright girl who believes she's thrown away her future when she becomes pregnant; Emilio, a macho bully whose violence is stifling his academic potential; and Raul, the brightest kid in the class, who is afraid to show his intelligence.

This film is a true-to-life guidance of what to do in order to motivate students with “low or zero-level”, how to treat them and, what is more important how to understand the reasons for their behavior and handle with it. I can not but say that this film is a pedagogical one, which states what a true teacher is to be – they are not indifferent, motivated, able to sympathize, reflective, always ready to help, protect, share experience and give advice. The way Luanne sees her students at the beginning is impressive – she does not consider them stupid ignorant leftovers of the society – the way others thought – but she notices their creativity – the boy dancing, karate and so on. So, she sees smth good in them – and it is a positive start which is so important while teaching. “Dangerous Minds" is indeed a powerful, emotionally charged film that knocked me over the head with its solid acting, its skillful manipulation of the emotions and the true-to-life ABC of teaching. Really, I’m grateful to have such a thought provoking film in my collection. I think, it does deserve watching. The end of the film is very thought provoking. Being a newcomer in teaching I do dream of some day when my pupils say they love me, need me. I cannot even imagine Luanne’s feelings at the moment. Her achievements are really worth praising.

The review of the film "The Ron Clark Story"

The Ron Clark Story

The film, which I have seen is called “The Ron Clark Story”. Based on the real educator Ron Clark, it centers on the title character (Perry), a white teacher from a small town, who moves to New York City and tries to make a difference in the lives of his minority students despite nobody, including the students themselves, believing in them. This is an autobiographical film. It’s its genre. Its stars are Matthew Perry and Ernie Hudson

The picture illustrates the real experience of Ron Clark who having achieved great success with students in his local school, moves to New York City, hoping to teach underprivileged kids in the inner city, Harlem.  He is given a class of the so-called "losers", the worst students in the school.  They have the lowest grades, the worst behavior, and the lowest self-esteem. The kids disobey Mr. Clark, vandalize his classroom, bully other kids, gamble, and bet on when Clark will quit, and what Ron Clark does is trying, resisting, searching more appropriate ways to reach out to the students who need him most.  However, Ron’s unique teaching style brings out the best in the worst students. It is really a true-to-life ABC of teaching. All Tom Clark’s students have difficult family lives. One child is in foster care and gets abused by his foster parent. But Ron Clark sees potential in every child and will not give up on them. Ron Clerk perfectly handles the individual approach when suggesting his pupils taking free extra classes with him in the local cafes.

Focusing our attention on the elemets of film, we are to say, that they all are great. All the characters play great roles on good level of acting, especially Perry. The work of the director is shown greatly and we manage to watch a good movie. Costumes and decorations absolutely reflect the atmosphere of that particular time and this particular place.

Discussing other aspect of the film we are to say, that the sense which is hidden inside the film is really deep. In fact, the movie touches upon many topics, and each of them is worthy of commenting. It is a really powerful story about fighting to the very end and never giving up.  The film is a hilarious trip into the world of teaching, as it uncovers all the difficulties that the young-inexperienced teacher may face up. Finally, it brightly demonstrates the teacher who is indeed a model to follow. The steps he takes, the approaches he makes, the energy he extends and the devotion he shows produce a wonderful outcome.  He gives them more than an education and a desire to keep on learning; he gives each one the knowledge that they do matter, and that when they put their hearts and minds to it, they can achieve anything.

Personally I think this movie is one of the most inspiring films I have ever watched. The entire movie deals with LITTLE, REAL, EVERYDAY problems and not with the big issues of life: how children consider and perceive our world nowadays. That's to say, the film teaches us to devote our lives to them, talk to them. This movie is a teaching lesson for teachers, not a moralizing or preachy one. Teaching is not a simple profession to earn your life, it's much more than this, it's a mission, a passion, a drive, a call, just like the one an actor or a director have. In this instance in my own opinion, "The Ron Clark’s Story" has amply achieved its goals. “The Ron Clark Story” is a very interesting film from the methodological point of view. It is a true-to-life guidance of what to do in order to motivate students with “low or zero-level”, how to treat them and, what is more important how to understand the reasons for their behavior and handle with it. I cannot but say that this film is a pedagogical one, which states what a true teacher is to be – they are not indifferent, involved, motivated, able to sympathize, reflective, always ready to help, protect, share experience and give advice. The way Ron Clark sees his students at the beginning is impressive –he does not consider them stupid ignorant leftovers of the society – the way others thought – but he notices their creativity – drawing, math and so on. So, he sees smth good in them – and it is a positive start which is so important while teaching.

School education in Britain and the USA (answers on questions)

School Education in Britain and the USA

Every country has its own custom. This statement is absolutely true. The same we can say about education system. Let’s see what it is in the USA and Britain.

1. In Britain people have such types of school:

Nursery school

Playschool

Infant school

Junior school (they call them Juniors)

Primary school

Grammar school

Comprehensive school

High school

City technology college

Sixth form

Islamic school

Music school

Language school

Independent school

Public school

In the US Americans may put their children into:

Elementary

Nursery

Pre-school

Day care

Kindergarten

Junior high school

High school

Private

Parochial (religious)

2. In Britain children start school at the age of 5. The same thing happens in America. Usually pupils leave school at the age of 16 in both these countries. But if a pupil wishes, he may attend “Sixth Form” in Britain or attend high school in America.

3. In Britain there are following stages of schooling according to age:

2-3   Nursery school/Playschool

5-7  Infant school

5-11 Primary schools     

8-11 Junior school

11-16 Grammar/Comprehensive/High schools

16-18 Sixth Forms

Speaking about the USA’s we are to mention:

5-11 Kindergarten

11-13 Junior High schools

13-16 High school

16-18 11^th and 12^th Degrees

4. The pupils in Britain have to take such exams like:

SAT

GSE

A-level

GNVQ

GCSE

SCE (Scotland’s GCSE)

But in the US they are to pass:

K-12

SAT

PSAT

ACT

Achievement tests

5. Yes, school leavers have to take entrance exams to go to university.

6. Yes, there is such a thing as a national curriculum.

7. In Britain it takes you from 5 to 16 to be compulsory educated. In the USA compulsory education is from 5 to 16 too.

8. Primary and secondary schools should concentrate on general knowledge (literacy and numeracy, 3 “R” (reading, writing, and arithmetic).

9. If you want to be in the “Sixth From” (UK) or you like to be a graduated pupil after 4 stages in High school in America.

10. Admission requirements to primary and secondary schools are:

Positive result of your examinations

If you have lot’s of money you may go to grammar; high schools

A place where a school is located (near or far away from home)

11. The purpose of elite school education is to make a new generation of millionaires, presidents and senators.

12. Integral part subjects’ of school curriculum:

English

Mathematics

Science

Foreign language

Technology

Design

Music

Art

PE

History

Geography

Here you re subjects which are optional for university students:

Law

Psychology

Drama and Conversation

History of Art

Car Maintenance

13. The essence of private schooling in Russia is to give your child an education which is not allowed by others.

14. A problem pupils is that who has problems with studding, attending lessons and consequently with teachers.

15. My idea of a good teacher is that he/she has to feel a pupil, but not only does what she/he likes. A teacher with understanding.

16. The most memorable experience is our performance wit my rock-group on our school disco.

The most exciting is that I was the golkeeper of our school team when I was only in the 7^th class.

The most painful was in the 9^th class, when I have a conflict with the director about my mobile phone. I was not right, but I was young that days.

17. I can’t say that I am a person who doesn’t nervous in his life, but I am sure, that I am to take sat or higher, because I has worked the whole term round.

18. From my point of view written exam is easier to pass, because you have enough time, you can concentrate, you know your task and you can guess the right answer.

19. I don’t prefer to be the first to answer in an oral exam. I would like to be last.

20. Yes, I do, I use them. They help me to concetrate all my knoweldge concerning a certain topic. I can make strait stream of the mind on them. They are my thoughts, but it’s material.

21. My note book is my fortress? No it’s nonsense for me. It’s mine. I can do their all what I want. It’s my business, but not the teacher’s. I think sometimes it may help you, because if you know well your teacher’s reactions you may guess what is correct and where a mistake is.

22. Absolutely, it’s out of the question. Every pupil is to be in identical circumstances as all his classmates.

23. When I am panicking during an exam I ask to leave the room.

24. A pupil is a helper to other pupil, why not, but accurately, because a teacher may notice it.

25. The most difficult thing about exams is to take the right card.

26. There are following advantages of private schools:

your child can take prestige education

it’s the way to the golden future

Disadvantages are those:

very expansive

spoil your child (because it’s a luxury life)

Boarding schools

Pluses

make a pupil independent

there are not any distract factors

Minuses

expensive

far from home -  isn’t always good

Co-educational VS Single-sex schools

Positive features

co-educational school is more socialized school, as boys and girls have common, general communication

Negative features

disability of communication with persons of another sex

School uniforms

Good

Pupils are on the same level, there is no social differences (for instance one pupil may have more expensive clothes than other)

Pupils are the face of school, that’s why it’s better to wear uniform, than to be like different-colored fence

Bad

Everyone has his individual style

27. Yes it is, but in any case they should learn others. Because a school leaver should be a many-sided person.

28. The best way for children to start primary school is 6, 7 or 8. Because their psychological and physiological functions are in the process of developing.

29. It is a nice way to continue your education, but sometimes life changes your wishes and you are to work hard after finishing the school.

30. Yes it is a good idea. It makes them a sense of understanding that it’s not an easy way to run a school.

31. National exams are necessary, because they show us the general level of knowledge. International exams are more necessary, because in this case there is a global school with global knowledge. First of all teachers should teach all these elements which will be in tests.

32. Why not? Last year our group was the great example of it.

Lab Work #2 Education

School Education

SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES

1. You’ll hear short descriptions of the education systems in England, the USA and Australia. Make notes on how a ‘typical’ pupil passes the system in each country.

Educational Institutions in Order	England	the USA	Australia
1	primary school (age 5 - 11)	kindergarten elementary school (age 6 - 11) 1st grade up to 6th grade	Preps Than kindergarten
2	Secondary or comprehensive school (age 11 – 16) GCSE at 16 years	Junior high school (age 11 - 14) 7th – 9th grade	Primary education Primary school (up to 11)
3	Vocational course	Senior high school (age 14 - 16 10th – 12th grade	Intermediate school (age – for a couple of years)
4	Leave school and start work	Leave school (age 16)	High school (age – start at 12 or 13 – 15 or 16) 3rd form General exam Some State School Certificate – general qualification
5	Stay for 2 years (the 6th form) (age 16-18) A-level and Finish education	High school (age 16-18) 1st freshman 2nd sophomore 3rd juniors 4th seniors	Leave school (age - 16)
6	Higher education in College or University (age 18-21)	Colleague or University 1st degree – for 4 years Junior college 2 year course	University entrance examinations Be omitted to university
7			Various sorts of higher education

2. Listen again and check your knowledge of the education systems in Britain and the USA. Fill in the gaps in these sentences.

1.    Before they start school, very young children in Britain may go to a ____kindergarten____ where they play with other children and learn to socialize.

2.    British children start ____primary____ school at the age of 5 and move to a ____secondary or comprehensive____ school at 11 or 13. At the age of 18 or 19 they may go on to ____higher____ education at a university, polytechnic or college.

3.    At the age of 16, British pupils take ___A level_____ exams. They may stay on at school to take ____higher education____ two years later when they are in the ____sixth____ form.

4.    A British school or university year is divided into three ____terms____; in America the year is divided into two __terms______.

5.    In Britain, private boarding schools are known as ____boarding school____ schools – in the USA, this term refers to the normal kind or state schools.

6.    At the end of a university course, graduates are awarded a ________ - probably a BA (________), BSc (________) or Bed (________); post-graduates can take a further course or do research and write a ________ in the hope of getting an MA (________) or a PhD (________).

3. What are the main differences between the education system in Russia and those described in the recording? Give a brief account of the education system in Russia.

I Pre-school educational establishment

1. day nursery (1-2)

2. kindergarten (3-7)

II General educational organization

(1-4 classes) (age 6-7 – 10-11)

(5-9 classes) (age 10-11 – 15-16)

(9 – 11 classes) (age 15-16 – 17-18)

1. Elementary School

2. Progymnasium

3. School

4. Gymnasium

5. National Gymnasium

6. Lyceum

7. Educative Complex

8. School with A Special Profile

9. Profession-oriented School

10. Cadet Corps

III Qualified Educational Establishment - after 9 class at the age of 15 or 16 up to 18 or 19

or after 11 class at the age of 17 or 18 up to 18 or 19

1. Vocational school

2. Trade School

3. College

4. Elementary Vocational Training

IV Higher Education - After 11 class or leaving qualified educational organizations, pupils take Uniform state exam to enter the step of higher education

Old system

1^st – 5^th or 6^th courses (18-19 up to 22- 23 or 24)

1. Academy

2. Institute

3. University

4. Postgraduate Studentship (to be an Assistant Professor, Candidate of Science, Doctor of Science or Professor)

New system

1^st – 4^th courses (18-19 up to 21-22) - Bachelor of Library Science

1 – 2 degree (doesn’t matter) - Holder of a Master's Degree
FIRST DAY AT SCHOOL

1. You’ll hear two accounts of a first day at school – one from a little boy’s point of view, the other from a young teacher’s point of view. The first extract is taken from ‘Cider with Rosie’ by Laurie Lee (1959), the second extract is from ‘Decline and Fall’ by Evelyn Waugh (1928). How did the two protagonists feel about the first class before the day started and after it finished? Sort the adjectives in the table to characterize the emotions of the main characters on the first day at school. You will not need to use ALL the adjectives.  

EMOTIONS	LAURIE LEE	PAUL PENNYFEATHER
Agreeable – приятный Angry – злой Bewildered – смущённый Brave – храбрый Calm – спокойный Clumsy – неуклюжий Defeated – побеждённый Delightful – восхитительный Eager – нетерпеливый Embarrassed - смущенный Fierce – жестокий Grumpy - сварливый Happy – счастливый Helpless – беспомощный Jolly - весёлый Lively –живой Nervous – нервный Obedient - послушный Obnoxious – неприятный Panicky – паникующий Proud – гордый Relieved – освобождённый Repulsive – отталкивающий Scary – жуткий Thankful – благодарный Thoughtless – необдуманный Uptight – встревоженный Victorious – победоносный Worried – обеспокоенный Zealous - ревностный	Angry – злой Bewildered – смущённый Clumsy – неуклюжий Defeated – побеждённый Eager – нетерпеливый Embarrassed - смущенный Grumpy - сварливый Happy – счастливый Helpless – беспомощный Nervous – нервный Obedient - послушный Panicky – паникующий Relieved – освобождённый Scary – жуткий Uptight – встревоженный	Angry – злой Bewildered – смущённый Fierce – жестокий Grumpy - сварливый Nervous – нервный Obnoxious – неприятный Repulsive – отталкивающий Scary – жуткий Thoughtless – необдуманный

2. Comment on each emotion in the above task using the information in the audio stories.

            e.g. Laurie Lee felt grumpy as he behaved too childish on his first day at school.

a) Lee was angry, bewildered because he ought to go to school. His parents’ wishes made him defeated. Though the boy was eager for that event in the bottom of his soul. He went to school his clumsy footsteps. The pupil felt embarrassed to appear in a new society, in a strange world of education. All in all he was happy, because his proud sister made some food for him. During the school time, Lee was helpless at school, waiting for the bell. All in all the boy was nervous. But he has no choice, he was to be obedient. On his way to school, he was panicky, thinking about his future first day. But having come home he understood that he was relieved that time. Those hours seemed really scary for he was uptight, as he didn’t know what to think it would be, the first day at school.

b) Paul Pennyfeather

The man was angry for his pupils, he was shouting at them. There was something in his life what made him so bewildered. Paul was fierce at his attitude to students. His general mood was grumpy. During the whole lesson the teacher was nervous. It’s an open secret, that such a behavior was obnoxious for pupils. The man was repulsive for them. All his manners were scary, all his words were thoughtless.

3. Here are some excerpts about school from ‘Decline and Fall’ by Evelyn Waugh. What impression about school education do you get after reading the excerpts? Give a small account of the school, the staff, and pupils described by the author.

‘Augustus Fagan, Esquire, Ph.D., Llanabba Castle, N.Wales, requires immediately junior assistant to teach Classics and English to University Standard with subsidiary Mathematics, German and French. Experience essential; first-class games essential...’

'Might have been made for you,' said Mr. Levy.

'But I don't know a word of German, I've had no experience, I've got no testimonials, and I can't play cricket,' said Paul.

'It doesn't do to be too modest,' said Mr. Levy. 'It's wonderful what one can teach when one tries..' (Part One, Chapter One)

This excerpt shows us, that the teacher doesn’t pay attention to wishes of the pupil. They can’t come to conclusion. They don’t have common issues. It doesn’t matter for the teacher the position of the pupil.

'But what am I to teach them?' said Paul in sudden panic.

'Oh, you shouldn't try to teach them anything, not just yet, anyway. Just keep them quiet.' (Part One, Chapter V)

The level of pupils’ knowledge is not seemed interesting and important for the teacher. The teacher doesn’t want to help, he is eager to stay everything on its place.

"We class schools, you see, into four grades: Leading School, First-rate School, Good School, and School. Frankly," said Mr. Levy, "School is pretty bad..." (Part One, Chapter One)

If you are on a job, you are supposed to love it, or the rhetorical question arises, why you are here.

LIVE AND LEARN

1. In your opinion, what are the reasons students stay away from school? Think about boredom, influence of friends, problems at school, family problems. What problems can truancy cause a student?

In my opinion, there are a lot of reasons why pupils stay away from school:

a) they may have problem with their study, it doesn’t manage to them to study a subject

b) they may have psychological problems with their teachers, who may not understand them and their individuality – so called misunderstanding

c) they may have problems within family, that’s why they decided to miss classes to be alone and have time to think

d) a pupil may have conflicts with his classmates

e) there are lots of children who are under the influence of some particular sub-cultural groups

From my point of view, following problems can truancy cause a student:

a) Students want to feel themselves grown-enough to be near parents’ wing and so want to work

b) We think that her are many subjects which won’t be necessary for your future life

c) there are a lot of more interesting things at the age of 20 or higher than to sit and learn

d) sometimes we are sure that it will be no problems to take an exam or credit, because of the loyalty of professors.

2. You are going to listen to the interview with headmaster of East Crompton Comprehensive School Dr. Charles Greenway. For questions 1-7 choose the correct answer (A, B or C).

1     Dr Greenway implies that some children who play truant

A   do so in order to earn money.

B    behave badly in public.

C   are never punished.

2    Why do some parents take their children on holiday during term time?

A   Because it's peak season.

B   To spend time together as a family.

C   To save money.

3    Why is it difficult for schools to convince students to attend regularly?

A   Parents set a bad example for them.

B   There is no good reason to attend.

C   Some teachers behave irresponsibly.

4    How has the government reacted to truancy?

A   They have been trying to stop it for years.

B   They are only just beginning to help.

C   They think it is too late to do anything.

5    Why are the government having talks with travel agents?

A   To convince them to offer parents cheap holidays.

B    To make sure that children don't play truant.

C   To get help from them in combating truancy.

6    What are the aims of 'behavior improvement projects'?

A   To teach parents to be new responsible.

B   To teach students the lessons they have missed

C   To teach students to take school more seric

7    What does Dr Greenway say about the law against truancy?

A   The law is not strict enough.

B    Parents are not often prosecuted.

C    Many parents face criminal charges.

1 – b; 2 – с (a); 3 – a; 4 – b; 5 – a; -6 – c; 7 – b.

3. Which of the following things would be most effective in combating truancy? Rank them and give a short account describing your choice.

a)      more interesting lessons – if a teacher wants pupils not to truant his classes, so he should make it interesting and captured

b)      teaching students to respect school – each school has its own traditions and customs, that’s why a teaching staff are to explain to each pupils that he has o respect his school and follow his teachers’’ instructions

c)      more responsible parenting  - parents are also play a great role, concerning this question, they have to have a discussion with their child, according to this certain problem, letting him know, that it’s bad to miss classes.

d)      strict punishment – punishment is not an ideal variant, but there are cases when this method can stimulate children

e)      police involvement – police officers must find burglars, murderers and other criminals, and, in this case, parents will be calm, it is not police’s business to pay attention to the school system

MP3 AUDIO 3.4

1. Listen to two people discussing the issue of public vs. state schooling. What are they saying about: cost, quality of education, increased life chances? What do you agree with most?

Martin is sure, that public schools are more expensive, that state. But the advantage of the state school is that it’s free of charge.

Amy suspects that publish school can give you more quality education, than state school. There are a lot of facilities their and better instructions, though in a state school there is mix type of students, declares Martin.

All in all, it is an open secret for both persons, that life chances will be increased if you finish a public school, because there are lots of employers who prefer to take public schools’ leavers, that states’.

2. Think about the similarities and differences between:

a) the education system in your country/the education system in the UK or the USA

It is an open secret, that the UK and USA systems are similar to each other, though our is only on its way to them.

b) wearing school uniform/wearing what you like

When I was a pupil we faced this problem, but actually we don’t wear uniform, though it was out of the question to wear jeans and t-shirts.

More over there are lots of school which have their own traditions. By the way, uniform can illustrate your belonging to a certain specialty.

All in all, uniform is not bad, but it is not necessary to wear it, but clothes should be elegant and classical

c) state-wide exams/continual assessment

Truly speaking I really can not understand the term “continual assessment”. But, on the one hand state-wide exams are good for pupils. There is no bias, corruptness and pressure from the examining board. But on the other hand, you may guess about 60% of the whole points. That’s why the question arises: is it really good?