In your journal, create a word map of the word “America”. You should be listing words that come to mind when you hear the word America (Negative, positive, political, silly, serious, or neutral).You need to have at least 6 words (not including the example I provided) that are well thought out. You then need to explain each of your choices below your word map. Freedom ? America ? ? ?

Positive Neutral Negative

The American Dream WRITE IT DOWN wherever you plan to keep all of your notes for this class What do you consider to be the current “AMERICAN DREAM”? What did the “American Dream” used to be defined as?

The American Dream began in the 1930s with ambitious plans for maximizing opportunity, working hard to earn a living, finding financial success, owning a home and retiring comfortably around the age of 65. The concept of the American Dream began in 1931, introduced by writer James Adams as the pursuit of corporate success and unlimited job opportunities. James Adams, in his book, The Epic of America, which was written in 1931, stated that the American dream is "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.”

Americans adopted the idealistic view of financial success and security in response to the economic downturn as part of the Great Depression during the late 1920s, but the American Dream changed over time with the changing attitudes of successive generations. Turn and Talk: What happened to the American Dream? How did it go from a focus on working hard for a living and finding financial stability for all, to a free for all fight of who can climb over who on the financial ladder first?

Financial stability You now have 2 minutes to: On the provided sticky note, write down a word that you and your partner came up with that you think is mostly to blame for the change in the American Dream. Financial stability You now have 2 minutes to: Choose one person from your row to head up to the board All at the board must organize all sticky notes in corresponding categories. (Ex. “Financial stability” and “having money” would go together under a “Money” category. But “financial stability” should not be in the same stack as “Marriage”.)

Time to write:  Prompt: Requirements: Brainstorming sheet (along with your passage, you must complete a brainstorming sheet. This is so I can see your thought process before you begin writing.) Date and Title your sheet American Dream passage. Prompt: Is it still possible in our country (as it stands right now) for everyone to achieve the American Dream? Did not do on Jan. 25