Film Review (Dangerous Minds)

The film I’ve recently watched is “Dangerous Minds”. It is a 1995 American drama film based on the autobiography "My Posse Don't Do Homework" by former U.S. Marine LouAnne Johnson. The director of this film is John N. Smith. The film stars are Michelle Pfeiffer, George Dzundza,  Courtney B. Vance and others.

This film is based on the true-life story of LouAnne Johnson, who was a teacher at Carlmont High School in Belmont, California, in 1989, where most of her students were African-American and Hispanic teenagers from East Palo Alto. Let me pass on to the plot of the film. LouAnne Johnson, retired U.S. Marine, wanted to be a teacher at Parkmont High School in California. She was given a class of problem teens. At first it was rather difficult for her to explain them anything. But step by step this woman could find a special approach to everyone. She tried to motivate them by giving them all an A grade from the beginning of the year, and arguing that the only thing required of them was that they maintain it. In order to introduce them to poetry, LouAnne used the lyrics of Bob Dylan to teach symbolism and metaphor. She rewarded the students, using candy bars, a trip to a park. When LouAnne understood that the life of one of her students was in danger she tried to protect him. At the end of the year, she announced to the class that she wouldn’t teach them in the future but the students refused to let her leave.

Speaking about the actors, I should say that the cast of this film is perfect. The actors who were invited to take part in this film did their best to make this film successful. As for the main actress, Michelle Pfeiffer was excellent in her role. Her character talked a lot about choices. She showed that everything we do is our choice.

In my topic I can’t but mention that success of the film depends on the director. I think, John N. Smith made a good job. He touched upon several educational problems in his film, created the realistic atmosphere of school.

As for me, I liked this film. It impressed me greatly. I can say that it is a fascinating story, telling about the school problems. This film teachers us that every child is unique and is worth of respect. So it is worth watching for all people.

Film Review (The Ron Clark Story)

The film I’ve recently watched is “The Ron Clark Story”. It is a 2006 television film based on the real educator Ron Clark. The director of this film is Randa Haines. The film stars are Matthew Perry, Brandon Mychal Smith, Hannah Hodson and others. As for the genre of the film, it is a drama. The setting of the film is Harlem, New York.  

This film is based on the true-life story of Ron Clark.  Let me pass on to the plot of the film. Ron Clark was a teacher who moved to New York. He got a job in Harlem public school, where he had to teach problem sixth-grade children. He tried to do best for the pupils, helped with their homework. It was really a battle between Clark and these children, but he always was sure in his actions. He found very creative ways to teach children he could cope with all obstacles.  In the end, this problem class got the highest average in the state and Ron Clark was regarded by his students as their best teacher.

 Speaking about the actors, I should say that the cast of this film is perfect. The actors who were invited to take part in this film did their best to make this film successful. As for the main actor, Matthew Perry was excellent in his role as Clark. I know him as a comedy actor for role as Chandler Bing on the popular television sitcom Friends. I think he also was perfect in this drama. He was full of determination to help these problem children. His character got a class with poor marks and a poor motivation. In my opinion, Ron Clark did everything as a teacher, tried to gain respect from both teachers and pupils. His main principles were: to be a family, respect each other, dream big and take risks.

In my topic I can’t but mention that success of the film depends on the director. I think, Randa Haines made a good job. She touched upon several educational problems in her film, created the realistic atmosphere of school.

As for me, I liked this film. It impressed me greatly. I can say that it is a fascinating story, telling about the school problems. The film shows the useful methods of teaching. So it is worth watching for all people.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

(School Education in Britain and the USA)

1. In the UK they have: primary schools, secondary schools, independent school, private school, grammar school, preparatory school, comprehensive school, secondary modern school.

2. Children start school from the age of 3 or 4. It is not compulsory. All children are in full-time education from the age of 5 to 16, but they can continue their education and leave school at 18.

3. Preschool education: 2-3 age;

Primary education: 5-11 age;

Secondary education: 11-16 age;

Sixth form college 16-18 age.

4. Standard Assessment Test at the age of 7, 11, 14.

GCSE at 16.

A-levels at 18.

5. Yes, they do. School leavers have to take entrance exams to go to university. It is A-level exam.

6. Yes, there is. In 1988 the Education Reform Act introduced a National Curriculum, for children ages 5-16.

7. It takes 11 years to complete full-time compulsory education (from 5 to 16).

8. Primary school concentrates on: reading, writing and 'rithmetic.
Secondary school concentrates on subjects, which are introduced in the national curriculum. It is very important to give children the chance to study as many subjects as possible.

9. Entrance exams can be abandoned if the student doesn’t want to enter the institute or don’t have enough money for the institute.

10. Admission requirements to primary and secondary school are the age of children.

11. Elite schools have high standards for admissions. They provide firm knowledge and give pupils the better education.

12. National Curriculum consists of 10 foundation subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, a modern foreign language, Technology and Design, History, Geography, Music, Art, Physical Education. Students can choose additional subjects for their studies, which are regarded to be optional (Religious Education, Technology and Design).

13. In Russia private schooling is for children of rich parents. Such schools emphasize learning English and other skills.

14. The main pupil’s problem is truant. It has some reasons: when a child is not interested in school and education; when he has some problems with his teachers.

15. As for me, I think, a good teacher is a person who knows his subject perfectly. He should be respectful and honest.

16. Looking back on my school days, I can say that there was one day which was at the same time as the most memorable, exciting and painful. It was my last bell. In that day I realized that I would never be in my classroom, with my school friends and teachers.

17. Usually on the morning of an exam I was really nervous. I'm worried about everything.

18. To my mind, written exam is easier to pass, because you worry less. You don’t see your teacher and there are only you, a pen and a piece of paper.

19. I prefer to be one of the first, because I think I worry less.

20. Yes, I use rough-work sheets in a written exam. I prefer to check my work and when I rewrite it, this method helps me to find some mistakes.

21. Yes, I do. It prevents me to concentrate.

22. Sometimes crib is useful, but when we want to know our  real knowledge, there is no use in a crib.

23. Yes, I have, but I could concentrate and pull myself togethert.

24. I don't think it is a way out to copy from other students.

25. I think the most difficult thing about exams is to learn a great amount of information.

26. Advantages of private schools: profound knowledge, better results, better instructors, students of such school have more opportunities in their life.

Disadvantages: public schools are very expensive, children live in boarding schools.

27. Pupils should improve their abilities in what they are good. However, other subjects should also be taken in order to grow a well-developed person.

28. I think the best age for children to start primary school is the age of 6-7. The physical and mental development of the children is appropriate.

29. I think, it’s a good age to enter the adult life.

30. To my mind, it’s a good idea for pupils because in that way they began to feel that they are a part of the system.

31. I think they both are necessary. They reflect the general knowledge of the student. But as for the tests, I think they don’t give the full objective information about the knowledge of the students.

32. Of course, but only when we talk about tests, because they give an objective result.

Laboratory Work 4

1. Two people are discussing the advantages and disadvantages of public and state schooling. As for the cost, state schools are free, while public ones are very expensive. Speaking about the quality of education, in public school the instructors are better. Also students of such school have more opportunities in their life. As for state school, there are different types of people and a connection with them is more interesting. To my mind, I agree with the fact that students from public school can do better chance in their life.

2. Nowadays wearing school uniform is an important point in education but it has some advantages and disadvantages.

On the one hand, when pupils can wear what they like, in many cases they put on tops, short skirts, make bright haircuts and make-up. As for the boys, jeans and T-shirts become their casual clothes. Also the pupils, whose families haven’t prosperity, wear poor clothes and they are often laughed at.

On the other hand, the pupils wearing school uniform are more tidy and neat. The uniform rubs the difference between pupils. All of them are in the same style. It’s a good point when the school can choose the uniform they like. It’s always pleasant to see the pupils in official style.

In conclusion, I’d like to say that it’s important to make a habit for pupils to put on school uniform. It learns them to official clothes because in the future employers will demand to wear such clothes in any season. 

Laboratory Work 3

1. In my opinion, children stay away from school for many reasons. The main reason is the influence of bad company. When a child makes friends with such company he tries to behave like them and sometimes this example has a negative influence on his studying at school. This problem has a connection with his family, if the parents don’t pay much attention to him. Also it’s boring for him to go to school, he prefers to spend this time in the street.

To my mind, the cause of student’s truancy is an unlearned lesson or a difficult test.

2.

1. c
2. c

3. a
4. a
5. a
6. c
7. b

3. In my opinion, the most effective things in combating truancy are more responsible parenting, more interesting lessons and strict punishment. I think that responsible parents take care of their children, keep under control their learning and sometimes they call the form-master to check their marks and attendance. Some children are afraid of punishment and in that way they try not to create the reasons for it. It’s common truth that when the lessons are interesting, pupils are always at school. It’s a great motivation for them.