Lesson Plan
1
1
MENSA Education & Research Foundation

Utopia/Dystopia: The American Dream

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
America was founded by dreamers, and the American dream still resonates in our country today. Track the American dream from its Puritan beginnings to its optimistic descendants with a instructional activity that focuses on speeches...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who Can Achieve the "American Dream"

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Exploring the idea of working to achieve the American Dream, the class reads an excerpt from How the Garcia Girls Lost their Accents by Julia Alvarez. Following, the class analyzes the excerpt and discusses the theme of the reading using...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The American Dream

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss the American dream and explain what the American Dream consists of. In this American Dream lesson, students listen to music about America for the reasons people love America.  Students create a list of wants and...
Unit Plan
NPR

Exploring the American Dream

For Teachers 9th - 12th
What is the American Dream? When did this term first gain popularity? Intermediate and advanced English language learners discuss the idea of the American Dream and conduct out-of-class interviews with those who immigrated to the US. On...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

That's the Spirit

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Is, as Walt Whitman contends, America’s “almost maniacal appetite for wealth,” the heart of the American dream? Class members grapple with this question as they read David Brooks’ article “The Commercial Republic,” and quotes that...
Lesson Plan
1
1
National Endowment for the Humanities

A Raisin in the Sun: Whose "American Dream"?

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
How does Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun factor into a discussion of the American dream? High schoolers define the American dream and recognize the historical setting of the play. Additionally, they identify...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Voice of Dreams

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore, analyze and study novel reflections on the American dream that the United States has held the promise of unlimited possibilities. They describe the concept of the American dream, listen to and record real stories of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Literature - The American Dream: Past, Present, and Future

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are introduced to the ideas of the American Dream at the turn of the century. They present their ideas on the American Dream at the turn of the century through a person characterized in Edgar Lee Masters' Spoon River Anthology.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Searching For The American Dream

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders explore the meaning of the American dream and how it has been explained in various forms. After reading various immigrant accounts, 9th graders use poetry and writing to explain how different cultures view the American...
Interactive
PBS

Latino Americans Share Their Experiences

For Students 6th - 9th Standards
Three Latino Americans are the focus of an interactive that spotlights their accomplishments. Scholars get to know Lin-Manuel Miranda, Judy Reyes, and José Hernández through short informative text and videos. Participants read, take...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Defining the American Dream

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students define the American Dream and apply their knowledge of American history to evaluate the main idea of H.W. Brands' book, "The Age of Gold."
Activity
PBS

Broadway and The American Dream

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Considering a unit study of American Musical Theatre? What better way to start than at the very beginning. Eight pairs of cards provide class members with background information about the genre from 1893 through 2004. The cards are...
PPT
Curated OER

Early 19c Industrialization in America: The Market Revolution

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Posing a question about the effects of American Industrialization, this presentation provides viewers with a comprehensive look at the 19th century. From the "Lowell Girls" to the Iron Horse, these slides would be an excellent supplement...
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

American Utopia: The Architecture and History of the Suburb

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Let's build a dream house! By examining promotional materials and photographs of early suburban developments, scholars consider what led to the development of this particular American dream. The resource includes case studies of three...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The American Dream

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students define the American dream. For this primary research lesson, students search the Library of Congress digital collections for primary sources regarding the ideal of the American dream.  Students create presentation to...
Lesson Plan
Global Oneness Project

The Power to Persevere

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Joris Debeij's film, Making It in America, takes a look at Alma Velasco, a Salvadoran immigrant who was granted political asylum in the United States. The lesson gives a face to immigrants and their struggles to embrace the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is "The American Dream"?

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students read the story Marriage is a Private Affair and analyze the 'American Dream.' In this American Dream activity, students free write about the American Dream. Students read the story and discuss the themes. Students write a letter...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Create an American Dreams Talk Show!

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students create an imaginary American Dreams talk show using some of the program characters. The purpose of the activity is to help students develop develop an understanding of, characterize.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The American Dream Poetry

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students analyze how poetry can reveal themes of 'The American Dream.' In this poetry themes lesson, students discuss the elements of poetry and define imagery. Students read 'Lost Sister' by Cathy Song and complete a related worksheet....
Unit Plan
Poetry Foundation

Dream in Color - High School

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Whether focusing on African American poets, Black History Month, or the poetic experience, an amazing toolkit that encourages learners to develop unique poetic voices deserves a place in your curriculum. 
Lesson Plan
TCI

Dreams Progress

For Teachers 6th - 9th Standards
Has society progressed to the dream Martin Luther King Jr. expressed in his famous address during the civil rights movement? Learners work with a partner to analyze one excerpt from King's "I Have A Dream" speech and find a current...
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Postwar Tension and Triumph

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Go get the American Dream lifestyle! The 19th lesson in a 22-part series exploring American history shows learners the post-WWII economic boom. Using primary sources, photographs, and cartoons, groups discuss their findings and present...
Lesson Plan
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Educating About Immigration The DREAM Act

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Group members role play state legislators, supporters of and opponents to the The DREAM Act (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors). After listening to the arguments put forth for and against the immigration...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Immigrant and the American Dream

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students describe the concept of the American Dream and explain how it is related to immigration.

Other popular searches