Wealth, Power, and the American Dream: March 6, 2017

Focus: Today, is wealth making or breaking the American dream?

1. Warming with three good things and an opening survey about wealth and power (15 min)

• New folder: The Great Gatsby or "Wealth and Power" or "The American Dream"
• New document: In-class thoughts

2. Watching videos to brainstorm ideas on the current status American Dream (10 min)

In your "In-class Thoughts" document, please try the following with a buddy as you watch the videos:

• Write a one-sentence summary of what the video is about.

• Write a one-sentence summary of what larger point the video is making and/or how the video responds to today's focus question (is wealth making or breaking the American dream?).

• Write a brief personal response to the video. This can include reflection, opinions, connections, analysis, reaction, questions, or all of the above.

Here are the videos (pick two or three)

Both Sides:

(good spoken word poem) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZDNUGMMxLk   (3:41)

Dream Is Dying:

• http://finance.yahoo.com/news/american-dream-illustrated-with-legos-brookings-200611923.html  (3:40)

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1I_AfdNHM8&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active  (3:26)

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tUIx5DlxaI&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active   (3:25)

Dream is Thriving:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QL64pNdzLk&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active  (5:25)

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8dXKMTUAtk&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active (3:44)

• President Trump on Rebuilding the American Dream

• Former First Lady Michelle Obama on the American Dream

3. Reading and jigsaw-discussing articles with differing views on the American dream (30 min)

On your favorite puzzle piece, try the following:

• Write a one-sentence summary of what the article is about.

• Write a one-sentence summary of what larger point the article is making and/or how the article responds to today's focus question (is wealth making or breaking the American dream?).

• Write a brief personal response to the article. This can include reflection, opinions, connections, analysis, reaction, questions, or all of the above.

Articles:
Group 1:“Millennials Put Their Surprising Stamp on the American Dream”

Group 2: “Keeping the Dream Alive”

Group 3: “The American Dream is Leaving America”

Group 4: “American Dream Faces Harsh New Realities”

Group 5: “American Dream? Or Mirage?”

Group 6: “Is The American Withering Or Just Changing?”

HW:
1. Finish interviewing your parents and bring their responses to class tomorrow. Click HERE if you need a copy of the interview questions.

2. Final draft of memoir due this Thursday by 3:00 pm in www.turnitin.com. Come see me for a conference!

3. Please finish up your Color of Water make-up work and turn in your books.