Ms. G's Teacher Tips

Believe in your students.
"She told me she believed in me.  I have never heard those words from anyone…especially a teacher."  Diary 23

Break down "comfort zones" in your classroom.
"Everyone in here seems to know everyone else; just like that TV show Cheers, where everybody knows my name." Diary 25

Make your classroom a safe environment.
"I walk in the room and I feel as though all the problems in my life are not important anymore. I am home."  - Diary 24

Make learning relate to your students' lives.
"This story ["The Last Spin"] is a trip. I've never read something in school that related to something that happened in my life."  - Diary 14

Engage your students' by tapping into their different learning styles.
"Ms Gruwell has some pretty amazing teaching methods.  Our class just read a book called Durango Street, and now we are making a movie of it…Not only did this movie give us a better understanding of Durango Street, we also learned a lot about one another." - Diary 13

Enlighten your students by bringing in guest speakers.
"Now after meeting Miep Gies I can honestly say that my heroes are not just made up characters - my hero is real." - Diary 42

Make learning come to life.
"Ms. Gruwell can never do things the simple way.  She always has some big teaching scheme even when we are nowhere near a classroom." - Diary 116

Involve your students' families in class projects.
"Our day began with a breakfast by the "Dream Team Moms."  These are the dedicated moms who have adopted our class as their kids." - Diary 49

Be inclusive and treat your class like a family.
"I bet if it wasn't for this second family, a lot of people wouldn't even be with their first." - Diary 44

Empower your students to succeed!
"Historians say history repeats itself, but in my case I have managed to break the cycle because I am going to graduate from high school and go to college, an opportunity my parents never had."  - Diary 105