Movie English 2 : Coach Carter

I watched Coach Cater in Movie English class.

This is questions from teacher and my feedback.

1.Coach Carter is based on the true story of a Richmond High School basketball coach who tries to effect positive change in a group of student athletes who have given up hope on creating a successful future.

Q: How does Coach Carter accomplish positive change and how are his methods similar and/or different from Erin Gruwell's (Freedom Writers) methods . Give examples and details from the movie.

A: Carter’s methods is little different from Erin Gruwell’s methods. He came face-to-face with students when they first met. He carry penalty to students who talk back to Coach and throw up the basketball club. Carter educate not only basketball but also academic results. But there are similar methods. Carter and Erin’s method of teaching is get students interested like he used his ex-girlfriends name as a metaphor for game plan.

2. At the beginning of the basketball season Coach Carter gets his players to sign a contract.

Q: What were the main items of the contract? And why do you think Coach Carter had the players sign such a contract before they could play? Do you agree or disagree with this?

A: Carter made students promise about meet the necessary standards for improve performance, sit down front in class, wear a suit and tie before a game. This is for student’s future. Carter said “Study if you don’t want to go to prison.” I agree with Carter’s thinking. He taught for students it is key to the victory that observe the rule before teaching basketball technique. Eventually students went along with Carter.

3. When Coach Cater found out that over half of his team was failing he suspended all practice sessions and forfeited the following games.

Q: Why do you think he did that? What does the expression, "student-athlete mean?" Do you agree or disagree with the meaning of this expression?

A:  Carter suspended all practice sessions and forfeited the following games because students broke commitments. I think “student-athlete” means students should have it both ways. They tries harder good student and good athlete. I think he did too much but I agree with him. I think they would lose both if he didn’t do that.

4. At various times throughout the movie, Coach Carter asks Cruz, "what is your deepest fear young man?"

Q: What do you think Coach Cater meant by that? How does Cruz answer Coach Carter and what do you think his answer means? 

A: Carter asked Cruz many time “What is your deepest fear young man?” Cruz not answer clearly all this time but Finally, Cruz answered “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. You are playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. It's not just in some of us it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Cruz did drug courier and he felt envious of teammate because they play happily and strengthen step by step. One night, Cruz lost his friends to got shot. I think that then and only then Cruz realized he have nothing left but basketball.

5. And the end of the movie during the locker room scene Coach Cater tells his team that he failed to meet his objectives for the basketball season.

Q: What did he mean by that? Give specific examples from the movie.

A: At the end of the movie Carter told his team in locker room “Oh well, now, not quite your story book ending hah? Not for us anyway. But you men played like champions, you never gave up, and champions hold their heads high. What you achieved goes way beyond the win loss column or whats gona be written on the front pages of the sport's section tomorrow. You've achieved something that some people have spent their whole lives trying to find, what you achieved is that ever elusive victory with-in, and gentlemen I am so proud of you. Four month ago when I took the job at Richmond High, I had a plan, that plan failed. I came to coach basketball players and you became students. I came to teach boys and you became men, and for that I thank you.” I think that Cater taught students not only basketball technique but also way for human to go. Carter was also as coach of life. This movie is based on a real story. How many children can meet teacher like Coach Carter? These students is how happy. I wanted to meet teacher like Carter.

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