Pursuing Dreams: A Raisin in the Sun

Lesson 1
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ELA

Unit 3

7th Grade

Lesson 1 of 27

Objective


Define the American dream and explain how and why it has changed over time.

Readings and Materials


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Target Task


Writing Prompt

How and why has the American dream changed over the course of our country’s history? Provide at least two specific pieces of textual evidence, and explain how this evidence supports your claim.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Close Read Questions

  • According to the section, "Roots of the American Dream," what was the original idea of the American dream? Paraphrase it in your own words. 

  • How and why did Americans’ ideas about homeownership change in the 20th century? Provide specific evidence from the sections, "The Modern American Dream" and "The G.I. Bill and Roosevelt's Economic Bill of Rights" to support your answer.

Vocabulary


Text-based

aspiration

n.

a dream or intense hope

affluent

adj.

wealthy

Homework


To ensure that students are prepared for the next lesson, have students complete the following reading for homework. Use guidance from the next lesson to identify any additional language or background support students may need while independently engaging with the text.

  • Article: “The Great Migration: The African American Exodus from The South” by Dan Kopf  — Read "Introduction,” “The First Wave of the Great Migration," and “The Second Wave”

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • What was the Great Migration?

  • Between what years did the Great Migration take place?

  • To what regions of the country did the majority of migrants travel during the first wave of the Great Migration?

  • What kind of jobs and opportunities did African Americans have in the South?

  • What kind of jobs and opportunities were available in the North?

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Common Core Standards


  • RI.7.3 — Analyze the interactions between individuals, events, and ideas in a text (e.g., how ideas influence individuals or events, or how individuals influence ideas or events).

Supporting Standards

L.7.6
RI.7.1
RI.7.2
RI.7.4
RI.7.10
SL.7.1
SL.7.6
W.7.1
W.7.1.a
W.7.1.b
W.7.4
W.7.9
W.7.9.b
W.7.10
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Lesson 2

Lesson Map

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