The theme of Mrs. Natter's 11th Grade American Literature class is an exploration of the American Dream. We begin by asking ourselves: What is the American Dream? How has it changed over time? Is it the same for all Americans? Is it myth, or reality? By reading American literature we can uncover some of the answers to these questions. We start by reading Native American Literature, and soon discover that the American Dream is a paradox; it doesn't fit neatly inside a box. In order to get a closer look at this paradox, we set off on the America Dreams WebQuest.
The WebQuest is an internet-based research project that utilizes primary source documents (photographs, diaries, letters, etc.) from the Library of Congress American Memory Collection. The WebQuest opens a door to the past and lets us view the actual words and images of those who lived before us.
The global community places high demands on today's graduates. This project prepares students to meet those demands by challenging them to: work in a team; gather, analyze, and interpret information; think critically; problem-solve; plan, organize, and produce a creative product using a hands-on technological platform.
Searching for Dreams of the Past:
Student groups each choose a historical character: a member of the Continental
Congress, an African American slave, a Western Pioneer, a turn-of-the-century
European Immigrant, or one of the Little Rock Nine. Students "immerse"
themselves in their chosen character by researching their character's life
via primary sources from the American Memory Collection and supplementing
with secondary sources. Students focus on one significant event that affects
their character's American Dream. Then they write their character's American
Dream story in first person as though the event were happening now. Finally,
they bring their story to life by publishing it on the world wide web. Go to the Student Gallery to view our American Dream
stories.
Dreams of the Future:
How can we build on what we've learned from our past in order to create
a better future? What is this generation's American Dream and their words
of advice for future generations? Go to our Wall
of Dreams to find out.
