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...

A reading of “Gatsby’s Green Light Beckons a New Set of Strivers,” a New York Times article by Sara Rimer, triggers a discussion of the American Dream and what it means to strive for something. Following the discussion, class members...

Eleventh graders analyze a chart comparing U.S. census data from 1850, 1880, 1900, and 1920. They read a handout summarizing immigration legislation from 1882-1996 and create a graph charting how open / closed U.S. immigration is over time.

Evaluate vocabulary by writing definitions of known words and finding out those that are unknown. As an anticipatory set, the class fills out an agree/disagree chart discussing vocabulary. While reading about the American dream, kids...

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...

For this online interactive reading comprehension worksheet, students respond to 25 multiple choice questions about Edward Albee's American Dream. Students may submit their answers to be scored.

Students define and recognize changes to the American Dream.  In this American Dream lesson, students view a PowerPoint, read and article and draw a picture to illustrate the American Dream. Students explain their vision of the...

Fourth graders examine a number of poems that deal with the negative side of the American Dream. In this poetry and the American Dream instructional activity, 4th graders work in literature circle groups to analyze the poem which they...

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...

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.

Students explore questioning techniques. In this questioning strategies instructional activity, students read The Great Gatsby. As they read, students journal different comprehension questions that arise in the novel. Students...

Students write about the American dream. In this language arts lesson, students reflect on their American Dream definition paper. Students write using the reflection prompt.

This is a collection of five videos of Novel Reflections on the American Dream including Fitzgerald's Gatsby, Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath," Ann Petry's "The Street," and Gish Jen's "Traditional American."

Using music, video and readings, students will explore their views of the American Dream, and use this information to create "Animoto" videos that express a personal opinion or take on the dream. Students will develop and support their...

Find out how many veterans returning from World War II were able to realize the American Dream of home ownership, and see how this resulted in the growth of suburban areas across the nation.