1. Please take out a piece of paper that you will turn in. There are 5 questions we will answer for this journal. We will do them one at a time, with discussion in between. Please use your time wisely and follow all directions since you will have a limited amount of time for each question. The American Dream Reflective Journal 1

2. Question 1 What is the American Dream?

3. Question 2 Do you think the American Dream is a myth, or can it actually be achieved?

4. Question 3 Do you think the American Dream has changed over time? If yes, explain how- and if no, explain why not. (hint: think of all our past units in this class and what people were fighting for or trying to accomplish)

5. Question 4 Is the American Dream the same for all Americans, throughout history and today?

6. Question 5 After hearing the brief opinions on the American Dream, one question sticks out- Does achieving prosperity or wealth equal achieving true happiness? Explain your opinion!

7. TIME LINE ASSIGNMENT As a class, we are going to create a timeline of the evolving ‘American Dream’ We have the Rethinking the American Dream article as a base opinion/perspective on the changes to the Dream throughout US History, however, you do not have to agree with this article. Outside research is encouraged! (use the books here in class, internet at home)

8. Timeline Requirements Major Political, Social/Cultural, and Economic events in your era on the top half of your poster (what was happening in the US in your era?) Major changes to the American Dream as a result of the political, social/cultural, and economic events on the bottom half of your poster (what was happening to the American Dream in your era?) See example I made!

9. Completing the Timeline You may need to do a little outside research to finish this project, but you have a lot of members in your group- so split up the work (have someone who is finding the info, someone helping them and taking notes, someone creating the timeline as you go…every member must be busy!) We will continue work on this project tomorrow probably, and start to present your pieces of the timeline to each other and put them up around the room!

10. Grading Total points for this project: 25 -10 points for group’s accuracy of events for your era -10 points for your group’s interpretation of the American Dream throughout your era -5 points for being a cooperative and efficient group member

11. Group Timeline Era Assignments Group 1: 1600s to 1800 Group 2: 1800-1900 Group 3: 1900-1940 Group 4: 1940-1960 Group 5: 1960-1990 Group 6: 1990- current day