Intro to the American Dream

MON/TUES, 8/16-17/21

STANDARD: LAFS.1112.RI.1.3 – I will analyze my views and the views of my classmates in relation to a complex set of ideas to be explored throughout this course.

E.Q.: What are my thoughts and the thoughts of my classmates regarding American ideas and social themes?

LESSON BACKGROUND:

For generations people from around the world have come to the United States for the opportunity to live the American Dream. The promise that our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness will be protected in America allows us the ability to chase a vastly different reality than what can be attained in most other parts of the world. Many Americans staunchly defend the American Dream, inspired to achieve it even when their current circumstances make it seem out of reach. Others cite social problems and the immense gap between America’s rich and poor as reasons to brand the American Dream as nothing more than a myth.

While it’s true that a for of some of America’s poorest zip codes will expose many major social problems, like violent crime, poverty, substance abuse, broken families, and prostitution, some studies suggest that the most economically disadvantaged Americans are really better off than we might realize. According to a 2019 study by the Foundation for Economic Education, “accounting for all income, charity, and non-cash welfare benefits like subsidized housing and food stamps, the poorest 20 percent of Americans consume more goods and services than the national averages for all people in most affluent countries… In other words, if the US “poor” were a nation, it would be one of the world’s richest.”

Oral response: What is your reaction to this statement?

MAIN ASSIGNMENT:

Today we will be sampling a variety of movie previews and clips, each one depicting the American Dream in a variety of lights. For each clip (total of 6), I want you to write a reaction. Each reaction must be two sentences in length:

First commenting on how the American Dream is portrayed (supported with an example)
Then sharing what your personal thoughts or feelings are about this depiction.

Full credit responses demonstrate that you took time to think and apply. Very brief, superficial, or vague responses like “It showed it was good. I agree that anything is possible.” are not worthy of full credit.