Students have a wide range of skills from basic to advanced. Therefore, students need a wide variety of instructional strategies and focuses. The American Dream unit was inspired in part by our study of The Great Gatsby during which we discussed the failure of Gatsby's dream as well as the failure of Myrtle's and George Wilson's dreams. Since we were finishing up Gatsby at the end of February, I tied the American Dream unit to the poetry of the Harlem Renaissance and especially the poetry of Langston Hughes, whose work speaks especially to the idea of dreams for the future. I used the lesson plan from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame web site as the basis for the American Dream unit.
Every person envisions a particular future filled with success.
These dreams are products of upbringing, background, history, place, personality, and experiences. For most people, many of these dreams will be realized while others will not come to fruition. The American Dream has changed over the years. What the first immigrants envisioned no longer holds true for modern day Americans. You will define your specific dreams and goals more readily by studying contemporary music and writing.