Dangerous Minds Movie Questions

Dangerous Minds Questions

Answer each in complete sentences please.

1.     How did the assistant principal characterize the children at school?

2.     How can you describe the teacher’s emotions during the first lesson at school?

3.    What was Griffith’s advice to Miss Johnson concerning her new "students"? 

4.    Why wasn’t Miss Johnson’s first day in the class successful?

5.    How did the students behave? Were there those who wanted to study?

6.    What sentence was written on the board first?

7.    Why did Miss Johnson change it for another one?

8.    What affect does the sentence “We choose to die” have on the class?

9.    Had the students read any books before they met Miss Johnson?

10. Who paid for the trip to the amusement park?

11. Who was Griffith’s favorite poet?

12. What is “the Flowering Peach”?

13. What is the Dylan-Dylan contest about?

14. What was every poem by Thomas Dylan about?

15. Who were the winners of Dylan-Dylan contest?

16. What was the reward?

17. Why was Raul going to cut school for a couple of days?

18. What was the teacher’s condition for lending some money to Raul?

19. Do you think Raul kept his word?

20. What do you know about Miss Johnson’s family?

21. What happened to Emilio?

22. Who is “a tambourine man”?

23. What is “clearview”?

24.    Does Dangerous Minds promote or challenge stereotypes of urban youth? Give two reasons for your answer.

25.    Why do you think this movie is called Dangerous Minds?
If you had to give the movie a different name, what would you give it?

26.    How believable is this movie? Explain your answer with three good reasons why it is or isn’t believable.

27.    Dangerous Minds was shot 29 years ago. Things have changed over the past decades. How do you think LouAnne would be accepted today given her rather unconventional style? How would students, parents, colleagues, administration, and community members respond to her?

28.    What is the most significant thing you have learned from watching the movie?

29.    Do you think that a film like this should be used as a model for beginning teachers? If so, explain why? If not, explain why?

30.    What does the film tell you about constructions of race and schooling in American culture? 

28 Days Critical Thought Questions.

Name  _________________________                                     

28 Days Movie Questions- Answer each question with complete sentences.                         

1. What is Gwen’s social life like at the beginning of the film?  How much of a role does alcohol play in her life?

2. How does Gwen get in trouble at her sister’s wedding?  What role do drugs and alcohol play in that episode?

3. What kind of influence does Gwen’s boyfriend play in her life?  Do you think he is a good or bad influence, and why?

4. We don’t see Gwen’s actual court sentencing, but what choice is she given?

5. What is Gwen’s attitude at the beginning of rehabilitation?  Does she take it seriously?  How does she feel about the other people in rehab?

6.  What is the “turning point” or event that causes Gwen to take rehab seriously?  What do alcoholics and drug addicts refer to this “turning point” as? 

7.  How does Gwen’s boyfriend react to her time at rehab?  Has anything changed in their relationship?

8. What ultimate decision does Gwen need to make when she gets out of rehab?

9.  Is there any scientific evidence that drinking is more addictive than other drugs?  What about breaking the addiction?  Is it dangerous to just stop all at once?  (You should research this answer and cite your sources here)

10.  In the movie, a young 17-year-old girl struggles with heroin addiction.   What happens to her?   What are your thoughts about how she was dealing with addiction?  Should Gwen have talked to a counselor about her?

WRITING: ½ page to one full page in length.    Did you like this film?  Do you think it is realistic?  Do you think that people who commit crimes while under the influence should be allowed to go to rehab instead of jail?  Why or why not?  Does Sandra Bullock portray an addict well?   How about her withdrawal from alcohol?  Is it accurate?  Do you believe this is what withdrawal looks like?

Lorenzo's Oil Writing Prompt

Lorenzo’s Oil Reflection Prompt:

If you were a parent, how would you respond to the challenge faced by the Odone’s in Lorenzo’s Oil?  How important is it to be able to find your own answers to questions you may face?  Does education and learning end with your high school or college years?  How do you plan to develop the skills necessary to become a “life-long learner”?