Note: This lesson was originally published on an older version
of The Learning Network; the link to the related Times article
will take you to a page on the old site. Teaching ideas based on
New York Times content. Overview of Lesson Plan: In this lesson,
students explore the commercial roots of the American Dream and
analyze a historical or literary text that supports this
philosophy in conversation with an Op-Ed column. Sandhya
Nankani, The New York Times Learning Network Suggested Time
Allowance: 1-2 class periods Activities / Procedures: 1. WARM-
UP/DO NOW: Before class, write the following terms on four
poster boards and hang them up in different sections of your
classroom (we’ve provided links to Web resources that might be
helpful to you in coming up with definitions to share with your
students): -American Dream (The Library of Congress Learning
Page) -Self-Made Man (article “Abraham Lincoln: Self-Made Man”
from the Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Association) -Rags to
Riches (Stanford Library page on Ho