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Through the documentary American Creed, students will examine shared civic ideals that form the basis of American identity. Through discussion, reflection, and document analysis, students will think critically about American core values like economic opportunity and social mobility. Students will engage with core questions, including whether these ideals are alive today and still unite us as Americans.

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1. Warm-Up/Do Now (3 minutes): If you had to pick one value or idea that represents America, what would it be and why? (Students will have a moment to think and share with the class)

2. Clip from American Creed (3 minutes): Watch the following clip from American Creed. As you watch, write down at least two values or ideals you hear expressed in the video.

3. Think, pair, share (3 minutes): Turn and talk to a partner. What values or ideas did you note?

4. Independent Quick Write (5 minutes): Rice and Kennedy say economic opportunity and social mobility are key American values. Do you think everyone in the U.S. has an equal chance to succeed? Why or not?

5. Pulse Check (1 minute): Students will their raise hand if they answered yes, raise their hand if they answered no, and raise their hand if they were unsure.

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American Creed: David M. Kennedy & Condoleezza Rice

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This lesson will enable students to consider themes from American Creed in particular ways.

American Identity & Belonging

Explore how the American Dream shapes what it means to be American.

Recognize that different generations experience the American Dream differently.

Opportunity & Inequality

Examine the belief that equal opportunity and upward mobility exist for all Americans.

Examine barriers to the American Dream.

Diversity & Shared Values

Highlight varied perspectives on the American Dream, both optimistic or pessimistic.

Identify shared values like freedom, equality, and opportunity as central to the American Creed.

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Close Reading Activity (15 minutes): In groups of three, students will read excerpts from two articles [“Gen Z is Forcing Us to Rethink the American Dream” from Time and “The American Dream is Alive and Well” from Newsweek] with differing viewpoints on whether the “American dream” is still possible today.

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Grade 8 Social Studies Standards

8.9 DOMESTIC POLITICS AND REFORM: The civil rights movement and the Great Society were attempts by people and the government to address major social, legal, economic, and environmental problems. Subsequent economic recession called for a new economic program.

Next Generation Learning Standards

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (RI.9-10.7 / RI.11-12.7)

RI.9-10.7: Analyze various accounts of a subject told in different mediums, noting important similarities and differences.

Application: Students will compare written excerpts and examine their similarities and differences with American Creed.

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Support: Provide sentence starters on handouts.

Challenge: Students can locate an online article that mirrors the arguments made in one of the two articles examined in the document-analysis activity. Students will then write briefly summarize whether the article is more or less compelling than the one it mirrors.

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Students will be able to identify central themes from American Creed with 85% accuracy.

Students will be able to analyze two contrasting arguments about the American Dream with 85% accuracy.

Students will connect the debate to themes from American Creed and demonstrate their personal understanding with 85% accuracy.

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If technology fails: Print copies of handouts.

If time runs short: Move exit ticket to homework.

If lesson runs short: Students can think of a person in their life who embodies the "American dream" and explain why to a partner.

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Students will answer the following questions, connecting the readings to themes in American Creed.

1. How does this debate connect to the values Kennedy and Rice shared in American Creed?

2. According to your experiences, does the belief in the American Dream still bind us together as Americans?

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American Creed Article Analysis Rubric (10 Points Total)

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American Creed Article Analysis Rubric (10 Points Total)

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Category 1: Understanding of Main Claims & Evidence (0–4 points)

4 – Highly Effective: Clearly and accurately identifies each author’s main claim and supporting evidence. Shows deep understanding of arguments.

3 – Effective: Identifies main claims and evidence with some explanation, though detail may be limited.

2 – Developing: Mentions claims or evidence but explanation is vague, incomplete, or partially inaccurate.

0–1 – Limited: Little to no understanding of claims or evidence shown.

Category 2: Comparison & Connection to American Creed (0–3 points)

3 – Highly Effective: Thoughtfully compares perspectives across the two articles. Makes clear, insightful connections to themes from American Creed (Rice and Kennedy).

2 – Effective: Provides some comparison between articles and at least one connection to American Creed. May lack depth or detail.

1 – Developing: Attempts a comparison or connection, but explanation is weak or unclear.

0 – Limited: No comparison or connection to American Creed.

Category 3: Clarity & Writing Quality (0–3 points)

3 – Highly Effective: Writing is organized, clear, and easy to follow. Few to no grammar or spelling errors.

2 – Effective: Writing is mostly clear with some errors, but they do not interfere with meaning.

1 – Developing: Writing is somewhat unclear, disorganized, or contains frequent errors that interfere with meaning.

0 – Limited: Writing is confusing, incomplete, or too many errors prevent understanding.