The American Dream

Learning outcomes

Students will:

• identify reasons people come to America.
• identify personal goals in relation to the American dream.
• create a product which expresses the American dream or the dream in general.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

2 days

Materials/resources

• Song, “Only in America,” by Jay and the Americans
• Song, “America,” by Neil Diamond

Technology resources

Teacher may need to search for songs and lyrics on the internet.

Pre-activities

This assignment can be done before beginning the study of Puritanism or as a culminating activity at the end of the unit. If done as a pre-activity, the teacher will introduce the concept of the American dream as a motivating factor in the immigration of the first settlers. As a culminating activity, the assignment will reinforce the unit. Although the time is listed as 2 days, additional time is necessary for students to complete their projects.

Activities

1. Teacher will play copies of the two songs, “Only in America,” by Jay and the Americans and “America,” by Neil Diamond. Teacher will lead oral discussion of the lyrics in both songs.
2. Teacher will have students orally identify motivating factors in each song which express reasons people, especially those from other countries, love America. Teacher or another student will write these on the board as responses are given.
3. Have students compile a written list of their personal goals and desires related to the concept of The American Dream.
4. Students will create a final product expressing their personal dream or the dream in general.
5. Students will orally present their projects to the class.

Assessment

Grading Guidelines

By Becky Ackert and Deborah Belknap