The History of the American Dream

Exploring the World of The Great Gatsby

Your task for the next few days will be to research the history behind our novel and create/present a lesson to the class. We want to discover different aspects of the American Dream in connection to certain events/eras. Here are your requirements for your group project:

1. STEP ONE: Written Report
A. Each member of the group needs to write a one page historical report
B. Each member will choose one of the sub-topics underneath the major topic given to each group
C. Report needs to be MLA format (Times New Roman, Font 12, Double Spaced)
D. Report needs two authentic sources AND have parenthetical citation throughout

2. STEP TWO: Class Presentation/Lesson
A. There are three parts of your class lesson your group needs to create based on the information in
     your reports:

     * Part One: Activator - You need to come up with an opening activity to do with the class that
                                           prepares them for your lesson. This can involve writing, discussion,
                                           brainstorming, etc. Perhaps there are pictures/clips you want to use to
                                           stimulate the class' thinking. However, it needs to be more than just
                                           showing a video clip.

     * Part Two: Main Lesson - Your main lesson should be a Keynote presentation of your group's
                                                 reports. Work on becoming familiar with your information so you are
                                                 not reading off of your paper the entire time. Keep in mind slide
                                                 design (PICTURES vs WORDS). Practice speaking loudly, clearly,
                                                 and to the audience, maintaining eye contact throughout. Ask
                                                 questions to involve the class throughout.

    * Part Three: Summarizing Activity - After your main lesson, your group should have a follow up
                                                                 with the class that summarizes the important points of your
                                                                 Keynote presentation. This can be involve a handout that the
                                                                 class has to fill out during your main lesson that you
                                                                 follow-up on afterwards, etc.

3.TOPICS:

I. World War I
A. The Causes/Reasons behind the Start of the War
B. Brief History of the Events of the War
C. Effects on the US During the War
D. Aftermath of the War in the US

GROUP QUESTIONS TO ANSWER IN MAIN LESSON: 
How did WWI affect the American Dream? How does it relate to us today?


II. The Roaring 20s
A. the Harlem Renaissance/Jazz Music
B. Women of the 20s/Flappers/Sexual Revolution
C. The Fine Arts/Literature/Film/Fashion
D. The Economy/Advance of Technology/Suburban Life

GROUP QUESTIONS TO ANSWER IN MAIN LESSON: 
What was the American Dream during the Roaring 20s? How does it relate to us today?



III. The Lost Generation
A. Definition and Origin of the term "Lost Generation"/Disillusionment
B. Biography of F. Scott Fitzgerald - his life, romances, works, problems, legacy, etc.
C. Biography of Ernest Hemingway - see above
D. Biography of T. S. Eliot - see above

GROUP QUESTIONS TO ANSWER IN MAIN LESSON: 
What happened to the American Dream to the "Lost Generation"? How does it relate to us today?



IV. The Great Depression
A. Definition and Causes of the Great Depression/Black Tuesday
B. Effects of the Great Depression on the Economy in US
C. Effects of the Great Depression on Society and Culture in US
GROUP QUESTIONS TO ANSWER IN MAIN LESSON: 
What happened to the American Dream during the Great Depression? How does it relate to us today?