Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Teaching the Theme: The American Dream

For Teachers 4th - 7th
This can be a good time for students to discuss what the idea of the American Dream means to them.
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
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 lesson, students free write about the American Dream. Students read the story and discuss the themes. Students write a letter...
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....
Activity
Orlando Shakes

The Great Gatsby: Study Guide

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Uncover the exciting world of the Roaring Twenties with The Great Gatsby study guide. Individuals become critics as they write a review of the production. Scholars also read historical information and analyze the differences between the...
Activity
US Department of Commerce

The Opportunity Atlas

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The American dream is to climb the social and economic ladder, but is it really possible? Using an online opportunity atlas, class members explore income and social mobility throughout the country. Discussion prompts allow learners to...
Study Guide
Penguin Books

A Teacher's Guide to the Signet and Plume Editions of the Screenplay Lorraine Hansberry's Raisin in the Sun

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Although they may be based on a novel, a screenplay is not a novel and is read differently. This teacher's guide to Lorraine Hansberry's Raisin in the Sun teaches readers how to read a screenplay, analyze camera instructions, and...
Study Guide
Penguin Books

A Teacher's Guide to the Signet Classics Edition of Willa Cather's My Ántonia

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Willa Cather's My Antonia might seem like a hard sell for today's teen readers. Rather than dramatic plot twists, trysts, and terrors, the novel celebrates the pioneer spirit that lead immigrants to a small Nebraska town. The Signet...
Lesson Plan
K20 LEARN

The Eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg: The Great Gatsby and the Sense of Sight

For Teachers 10th - 11th Standards
To conclude a study of The Great Gatsby, class members create a multimodal project that represents what they feel the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg see about the hidden side of one of the characters in F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic...
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...
Study Guide
Penguin Books

Teacher’s Guide: Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
A 10-page guide to John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men includes a brief plot summary, information about preparing readers for the language in the novel, pre-reading, during reading, and post-reading questions, essay prompts, and project...
PPT
Curated OER

Review of our Presidents from the Progressive Era to Cold War

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Covering the main events of the Cold War, this (mistitled) presentation includes photographs, political cartoons, and amusing graphics to illustrate its points. The information on the slides is helpful for an overview of the Cold War,...
Unit Plan
Newspaper Association of America

Using the Newspaper to Teach the Five Freedoms of the First Amendment

For Teachers K - 12th Standards
Of all the amendments found in The Bill of Rights, the First Amendment contains some of the most important freedoms for American citizens. A unit plan on the First Amendment features interactive lesson plans designed to teach about those...
Study Guide
SparkNotes

American Dream by Edward Albee: Study Guide - Mini Essays

For Students 11th - Higher Ed
In this online interactive literature worksheet, students respond to 8 short answer and essay questions about Edward Albee's American Dream. Students may check some of their answers online.
Unit Plan
2
2
Poetry Foundation

Dream in Color — Middle School

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Celebrate diversity with a toolkit designed to inspire young poets to develop their own voices. After examining poems by African American poets, individuals craft their own poetic stories. The packet features poems by Gwendolyn Brooks,...
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
1
1
Curated OER

Martin Luther King Jr's "I Have A Dream" Speech

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Invite your class to investigate racism and civil rights by analyzing the great Dr. Martin Luther King's speech. Your learners will read the words from the "I Have a Dream" speech and analyze the political and racial overtones. They will...
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Becoming Visible

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
The television and interstate highways both came of age in 1950s America. Scholars use film, text, and discussion to explore how these and other cultural icons shaped the literature of the time. Pupils also create a family history...
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
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

Marching to the Beat of a Different Drum

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the American dream. In this contemporary music lesson, students analyze the lyrics of songs by Neil Diamond, Bruce Springsteen, and David Massengill. Students create 3-D representations of the American dream and write...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The American Dream

For Teachers Higher Ed
Pupils are given the opportunity to interact with college students and or co-workers, and explore, single-handedly, the different ideals, goals, dreams, and views regarding the American Dream. They interview three people-Any citizen -...
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.
Lesson Plan
1
1
Albert Shanker Institute

Heart of the Matter

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Most people have heard of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, but few have heard of Philip Randolph and Bayard Rustin. Who were these guys and what did they have to do with this famous landmark event in...

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