Back
to Film Festival
Stand and Deliver
Wednesday,
May 19, 2004
MAC Playhouse - 3:30 pm-
6:15 PM
College Now Course - Mathematics
Hosted by: Dr. Robert Singer, Professor of English
College Now English Course Coordinator
Professor Ronald Forman, College Now Mathematics Course Coordinator
About
the Movie: Stand
and Deliver
Director, Ramon Menendez 1988 - Rating PG
Jaime Escalante is
a mathematics teacher in a neglected high school in a Hispanic neighborhood.
Convinced that his students have potential, he adopts unconventional teaching
methods to try and turn gang members and no-hopers into some of the
country's top algebra and calculus students. This is a true success story.
About the Presenter: Professor
Ron Forman
Professor Ronald Forman has been a Math professor for the past
35 years. He is a long-time film buff and does a weekly radio program devoted
to the great music of the 20th century. He truly believes that without math
nothing adds up.
Extra Credit Assignments
Writing Assignments: Stand and Deliver
ACT-Prep
A debate has
begun concerning the role and value of funding advanced areas of study in
high school mathematics for courses such as calculus, statistics and fractal
geometry. Many teachers, parents and even students believe that difficult
courses such as these should be funded for students who wish to attend a four-year
college and demonstrate an advanced mathematical ability. Several colleges
and universities have suggested that the Regents, SAT and other exit exams
do not sufficiently demonstrate the ability of potential candidates who wish
to attend the respective campus, and that these courses are not expensive
to run and to offer. They give students a chance to excel. Other people feel
that these courses are not educationally necessary and would appeal only to
a few students, and that this funding might be taken from other areas that
also need funding, such as extra-curricular activities. These courses offer
little to the average student who lacks interest in or has no need for advanced
mathematical instruction.
You have been asked to write a letter to the school newspaper in which you
will express your views concerning the issue of funding advanced mathematics
courses for high school students. Do you believe that students, in your high
school in particular, should have these courses made available if desired?
What are some of the obvious benefits or problems funding these courses might
create? Fully discuss your view; you may refer to other opinions, your own
experience or even the film, Stand and Deliver.
Mini-Research Project
(NOTE:
THIS IS NOT A RESEARCH PAPER-IT IS A RESEARCH-ORIENTED EXPERIENCE IN
WHICH STUDENTS GATHER AND CATEGORIZE INFORMATION. THEY CAN PREPARE OUTLINES,
NOTE-CARDS AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY, CITE REFERENCES, OR PRACTICE ANY COMBINATION
OF THESE SKILLS ASSOCIATED WITH PREPARING A RESEARCH PAPER).
Utilizing the library and its resources, and/or material from the Internet,
prepare an investigative project that focuses on any one of these topics associated
with Stand and Deliver.
a-Famous mathematicians
b-Jaime Escalante
c-Careers involving mathematics
d-Math in everyday life
Standard College Essay
Many issues
arise from the analysis and discussion of the film, Stand and Deliver.
Some of the more important issues involve cheating, getting along with your
peer group and the importance of having friends, working with others toward
a common goal, acting against stereotypes, and not giving in to prejudice.
Some broader issues discussed in the film involve the importance of mathematics
in our lives, the positive role of teachers and education, and a belief that
people are social beings who are capable of changing. There are other related
personal and social issues arising from the analysis of this film, and these
are only some suggested and significant themes to consider.
In a full-length essay (approximately 400-500 words), later to be revised
for content and correctness, discuss any of the issues raised in Stand
and Deliver that you consider to be of special interest. Feel free to
refer to the film or any source of information in your essay. Explain why
and how these issues are significant not only in the film but also in relationship
to your own life, the lives of other people, society, or all of these.
Event
Photos Stand and Deliver - May
19, 2004
Over 200 students
came to see "Stand and Deliver"
Audience members eager
to answer film trivia questions.
Students who answered correctly, received Kingsborough T-Shirts.