Review:
The film Freedom Writers depicts the true story of Erin Gruwell and her students at Woodrow Wilson High School in the early 1990s. Gruwell quickly discovers that she is faced with more than teaching the material to a group of freshmen. The students of room 203 have been marginalized for their entire lives, thus they believe they are not capable of succeeding in the classroom. School, to the students, is a means of keeping them off the streets for a few hours every day. Gruwell recognizes she must earn her students trust, unify her classroom, and fight for her students' rights to a good education. Innovative teaching methods and dedication to her students allows for success in and out of the classroom.

The movie illustrates ways of establishing group norms and promoting group cohesion. Gruwell leads her classroom with mutual respect; she sees through the divisions among the groups of students. She helps her students unite through activities that challenge them to see past their differences and find common ground. Creativity opens doors for alternative forms of communication, which seem vital in working with adolescents. Gruwell works to find ways to relate the curriculum to the lives of her students, which she learns about through their daily journal assignments. The film can help clients to see the possibility of a positive change experience. For professionals, it may help to promote creativity and reiterate that clients are their own guide in toward change.