american_dream_quest_part_1_.docx | |
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Part 1: Defining the American Dream
Time: 60 minutes
Materials:
Step 1: Food For Thought
What is the American Dream? Although the concept of an “American Dream” may have existed since the Colonial period, the term itself was coined in 1931 by an author named James Truslow Adams. Adams defines the American Dream as:
“that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and
fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or
achievement. It is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to
interpret adequately, and to many of us ourselves have grown weary
and mistrustful of it. It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages
merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman
shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately
capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of
the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position” (The Epic of America).
Step 2: Investigate
INTERVIEWS
American Dream Interviews
Wall of Dreams
ESSAY
What Is The American Dream?
Step 3: Synthesize
On the back of the graphic organizer, create a concept web of the various definitions of the American Dream that you have discovered today. Be sure to include the ideas in Adams' quote. Try to group similar ideas together on your web.
Step 4: Create
Multigenre Chapter 1:
Choose a genre to express your answer to the following question:
Time: 60 minutes
Materials:
- Pen or Pencil
- Journal
- Internet Access
Step 1: Food For Thought
What is the American Dream? Although the concept of an “American Dream” may have existed since the Colonial period, the term itself was coined in 1931 by an author named James Truslow Adams. Adams defines the American Dream as:
“that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and
fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or
achievement. It is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to
interpret adequately, and to many of us ourselves have grown weary
and mistrustful of it. It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages
merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman
shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately
capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of
the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position” (The Epic of America).
- Has Adams captured the essence of the American Dream?
- On your Part 1 graphic organizer, paraphrase the definition of the American Dream.
- Is the American Dream essentially the same for everyone?
Step 2: Investigate
- Read the "Wall of Dreams" interviews and summarize the important ideas on your graphic organizer. Be sure to include the name of the person interviewed.
- Read the essay, "What is the American Dream?". Record a summary of the important ideas on the graphic organizer.
INTERVIEWS
American Dream Interviews
Wall of Dreams
ESSAY
What Is The American Dream?
Step 3: Synthesize
On the back of the graphic organizer, create a concept web of the various definitions of the American Dream that you have discovered today. Be sure to include the ideas in Adams' quote. Try to group similar ideas together on your web.
Step 4: Create
- Create your own comprehensive definition of the American Dream.
- Talk it over with a neighbor if you feel stuck or overwhelmed.
- Consider whether it represents something constant or changing.
- Post your definition on the Blog page of this website.
Multigenre Chapter 1:
Choose a genre to express your answer to the following question:
- What is the American Dream? Be specific and thoroughly explain/express your answer.