No graphic organizer for this part!
Part 4: Working Together to Achieve the American Dream
The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain until it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life. ~Jane Addams
Time: 60 minutes
Materials:
Links to start your search:
Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson
Habitat for Humanity
Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina
Inter-Faith Food Shuttle
Process
Step 1:
Each Dream Team will be given one 24 piece puzzle to assemble in five minutes. Easy, you say? Some of the pieces ended up in the wrong boxes during the last class. To make matters worse, a couple of the pieces didn’t even make it back into a box! Oops. Your team will need to work with the other teams in order to complete your puzzle. There is a treat for completing your puzzles; however, the team (or teams in the case of a tie) that finishes first will get more.
Step 2: THINK
Individually, take ten minutes to post a quick write on the Dream Blog. Allow following questions to guide your response and to start the conversation:
Step 3: PAIR
Next, pair-up with a partner from class. You and your partner will each have two uninterrupted minutes to share your thoughts about the questions from Step 2.
Step 4: SHARE
Now, working with your Dream Team, research ways in which we can help each other turn our American Dreams into American Realities.
The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain until it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life. ~Jane Addams
Time: 60 minutes
Materials:
- One puzzle per team
- Pen or pencil
- Sticky Notes
- Internet Access
Links to start your search:
Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson
Habitat for Humanity
Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina
Inter-Faith Food Shuttle
Process
Step 1:
Each Dream Team will be given one 24 piece puzzle to assemble in five minutes. Easy, you say? Some of the pieces ended up in the wrong boxes during the last class. To make matters worse, a couple of the pieces didn’t even make it back into a box! Oops. Your team will need to work with the other teams in order to complete your puzzle. There is a treat for completing your puzzles; however, the team (or teams in the case of a tie) that finishes first will get more.
Step 2: THINK
Individually, take ten minutes to post a quick write on the Dream Blog. Allow following questions to guide your response and to start the conversation:
- Was the outcome of this game predetermined or did success depend on the talents of the team?
- In what ways was this game like life?
- How do some people have a better chance of achieving the American Dream than others? Think about the things you learned in Parts 2 & 3.
Step 3: PAIR
Next, pair-up with a partner from class. You and your partner will each have two uninterrupted minutes to share your thoughts about the questions from Step 2.
- On sticky notes, record some obstacles and some advantages to achieving the American Dream. Add them to the poster at the front of the room.
- We will discuss these at the end of the two minutes.
Step 4: SHARE
Now, working with your Dream Team, research ways in which we can help each other turn our American Dreams into American Realities.
- Conduct an Internet search (Google!) to discover local, national, & even global initiatives that help people achieve dreams.
- Stuck? Use the links listed above to help you get started. You will need to find your own resources as well.
- Also, think about the help each of you might need to achieve your American Dream: a college scholarship, a business loan, a mentor, literacy/life skills tutoring, vocational training, a place to live, a computer, medical assistance, etc.
- Each team of four is responsible for finding a minimum of four additional sources (one per team member). Share links to what you find on Padlet! Just click on a clear space in the padlet below, type your name (first name with last initial is fine), and add your article/website link with a brief description or comment.
Multigenre Chapter 4:
For this chapter of your multigenre paper, you will pick one genre and use it to illustrate ways we can help each other achieve the American Dream. Consider Jane Addams' quote at the top of this page to get started.
Congratulations! You have completed your search for the American Dream. In doing so, you have prepared to participate in the Socratic Seminar. The essential question for our seminar will be: Does the American Dream still exist and is it attainable by all Americans? Bring your journal and notes to reference during our discussion.
For this chapter of your multigenre paper, you will pick one genre and use it to illustrate ways we can help each other achieve the American Dream. Consider Jane Addams' quote at the top of this page to get started.
- What innovative resources did you find in your research?
- What resources are missing or inadequate?
- What can you/we do to help ourselves and others reach our American Dreams?
Congratulations! You have completed your search for the American Dream. In doing so, you have prepared to participate in the Socratic Seminar. The essential question for our seminar will be: Does the American Dream still exist and is it attainable by all Americans? Bring your journal and notes to reference during our discussion.