Head Over Heels

The running theme of the semester has been working on homework through the weekend. This weekend I have been working on a critical framework for one of my classes. It has been the biggest project of the semester, plus in a 100 point class (total for the entire semester) making each assignment crucial. After much research on the topic, looking through endless different text to consider as part of the framework, editing it, and meeting with the professor, I think it might almost be completed!! The critical framework is about the American Dream... here is a sneak peek for you all...

Critical Thinking Question: Has the core of the American Dream changed with time and differ for individuals?

Pieces of Literature:

>“Speech to the Virginia Convention” by Patrick Henry, LOL, Grade 11, pp. 102-105 [speech]>“from The Autobiography: The Declaration of Independence” by Thomas Jefferson, LOL, Grade 11, pp. 116-123 [short story and analysis]

>USA Today Paper Clip: Happiness and Economics http://mail.google.com/mail/?attid=0.1&disp=inline&view=att&th=115431fdf1d52faf

>“Pursuit of Happyness” movie clip with a interview with Will Smith http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO0BJMv58fc&mode=related&search

>“American Dream” by Casting Crowns http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPqZSbs8IMo

Critical Thinking Process:
Language of Literature does not fully explore the American Dream. The book only establishes the founding ideals of America. But the American Dream is personally unique and has changed throughout time.

Patrick Henry’s speech at the Virginia Convention covers the American Dream which was to obtain and keep freedom. However this dream has changed and when contemporary America refers to the American Dream, they often refer to material possessions. When Henry spoke of the dream, freedom was established as the core. What are the characteristics of the American Dream according to Patrick Henry speech? Was Henry’s dream achieved? Are those characteristics held in society today? If the dream is achieved, what happens to the dream is there another dream that rises?

For homework, the students would go home and answer in their journal: Could everybody achieve this American Dream that Henry established? Could African American slaves and women (remember, could not vote) achieve this dream?

The second part of the unit will continue to lay the foundation of early history of when the United States declared freedom from the British Crown. In The Autobiography of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson speaks how freedom was achieved, thus, showing that the dream has been fulfilled. Does that mean that the American Dream has been achieved? If the American Dream is actually fulfilled by the Declaration of Independence, does that bring another American Dream into play? Is the American Dream forever changing? Does that mean with time the American Dream will change?

For their journal homework, the students will go home and create their American Dream. How and was their American Dream constructed the way it was? Do they think it will change in their future? How and why will it change?

In a text from USA Today the correlation of happiness and economics are established in a graph. Who do you think is going to be happier, the wealthy class, middle class, or poor class? The groups consist of: less than $30,000, $30,000-74,999, $75,000-$99,999, $100,000 and more. In conclusion, the graph shows, through a survey that the wealthy class is the happiest. Is money part of the American Dream? How so? If you have more money, does that mean that it will fulfill the American Dream and create happiness? But those who do not have money, can they achieve the American Dream? Do they have the same opportunity?

In the journals tonight the students will be answering how does the American Dream differ for each socioeconomic class (i.e. upper, middle, lower)? The students will devise an American Dream for each of the classes.

The next part of the unit will consist of establishing the rich class and the poorer class, whether or not one is happier than the other; if there is the same opportunity to reach this American Dream. The recent movie with Will Smith called The Pursuit of Happyness shows a man, with his son, barely getting by. Is the wealthy class happier because they have money to fix problems that require money? The Pursuit of Happyness shows that working hard for a dream and believing in you it can be achieved. In the interview with Will Smith, he says that this is the perfect example of the “American Dream” and grasping onto it. Although this is a true story do you think that this is plausible for everybody in the poor class? Does each socioeconomic class have the same opportunity to reach the American Dream? Is the American Dream to have money, to create endless opportunities?

For homework the students will continue writing in their journals. It is said that money is the root of all evil, is that true? Money can fix many things such as illness, having a house, going to college; is money the root of the American Dream? Why or why not?

Since one version of the poorer class has been establish it is time to take a look at the upper class. There is a song by Casting Crowns that is called American Dream. In the beginning of the song it shows the man who is chasing the American Dream. The lyrics say that he is looking for the ‘finer things’ in life and ‘slips into his new BMW.” Is this the ultimate American Dream to achieve? However, he works all day to build a kingdom for his family. But his life with his family is starting to crumble, the root of his happiness. But his still will have his house, money, BMW, and financial security. Do people with the most ‘toys’ win? If you have money does that mean you will be happy in other parts of your life? Thus reaching the American Dream?

In conclusion, what is the American Dream? After exploring different parts, does the dream actually exist? And if the dream does exist, is it the same for each person, and can it change?

Anyways, if you read it all the only thing I can say is: WOW!! As excited as I am to be done with the critical framework, the class load for this upcoming week is quite huge. So I am glad that my friend Meggan and I were able to go out to dinner on Saturday and plus, I wasn't planning on going out on Saturday but one of my friends, Ryan, persuaded me out for a little bit (who is in the picture with me).

I am not sure exactly how it will all turn out, but I will be excited for the week to be over. On Friday I will be teaching my first lesson: Creative Writing. It is a micro-lesson which means that it is only 20 minutes. I am really excited!