First Generation American Dream by Jessica Cella https://padlet.com/j_l_cella/28b105r9s2ax7nff Essential Question: Is the American Dream more likely to inspire or destroy us? en-us 2022-06-06 00:17:53 UTC 2025-06-04 11:15:45 UTC hello@padlet.com Introduction to the Collection: One of the big theme topics we have explored this school year has involved resilience. Before we begin our choice novel study, I would like for you to view the materials provided in this collection thoroughly and thoughtfully, making connections between yourself and the sources. You will see through this collection that while the "stories" shared are similar, they are all told in their own unique way. Think about this while you are viewing each source and consider what makes each "share" impactful. j_l_cella https://padlet.com/j_l_cella/28b105r9s2ax7nff/wish/2211608101 2022-06-06 00:21:10 UTC https://padlet.com/j_l_cella/28b105r9s2ax7nff/wish/2211608101 Collection Overview: This collection includes a variety of resources to help my students learn more about our essential question: Is the American Dream more likely to inspire or destroy us? We will be focusing on resilience through first generation Americans' stories. In this unit students are allowed to choose from several different novels that explore the American "dream" and similar themes. They will be working in book clubs built around their chosen novel. Before we begin our novel study, they will read several different written sources, view a photography collection, and conduct analysis on videos. They will be tasked with following the directions provided for each source. j_l_cella https://padlet.com/j_l_cella/28b105r9s2ax7nff/wish/2211608251 2022-06-06 00:21:32 UTC https://padlet.com/j_l_cella/28b105r9s2ax7nff/wish/2211608251 View the photograph gallery on the provided website. After viewing the photos and reading the captions, consider why people migrate. What factors influence people's decisions to leave their home countries, often risking their lives in the process? What kind of internal or external forces are their driving motivation? j_l_cella https://padlet.com/j_l_cella/28b105r9s2ax7nff/wish/2211609015 2022-06-06 00:23:14 UTC https://padlet.com/j_l_cella/28b105r9s2ax7nff/wish/2211609015 After reading Romina Garber's essay from the Hope Nation anthology, think about the following question: How does Romina Garber’s story embody (or even reject) elements of “The American Dream”? (i.e the idea that America is the land of opportunity for anyone who comes here). j_l_cella https://padlet.com/j_l_cella/28b105r9s2ax7nff/wish/2211609700 2022-06-06 00:24:48 UTC https://padlet.com/j_l_cella/28b105r9s2ax7nff/wish/2211609700 As you watch, consider Abdulahi's spoken word performance- What do you notice about how she delivers the lines of her poem? Body language? Pauses for emphasis? Tone? Emotion? Pacing? Then, after you have listened to the entire poem, attempt to interpret the title. Why do you think she chose to title this piece "The Unwritten Letter to my Immigrant Parent"? j_l_cella https://padlet.com/j_l_cella/28b105r9s2ax7nff/wish/2211610190 2022-06-06 00:25:47 UTC https://padlet.com/j_l_cella/28b105r9s2ax7nff/wish/2211610190 After watching Adichie's TedTalk, think about the following: What are some examples of "single stories" in your personal life, education, or in the news you've seen? How might we begin to "reject the single story" in our lives to regain Adichie's so-called paradise? j_l_cella https://padlet.com/j_l_cella/28b105r9s2ax7nff/wish/2211616961 2022-06-06 00:39:40 UTC https://padlet.com/j_l_cella/28b105r9s2ax7nff/wish/2211616961 "She's an American Child" explores the dilemma of identity and a life of uncertainty. A woman facing domestic violence in the Dominican Republic escaped to the United States with her toddler daughter. The woman remains undocumented and her now 22-year old daughter has been granted protection by the US government through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Will one or both be deported? Will the daughter end up in the country she has not set foot in since she was five years old? After watching the short film, consider the following: What did this film reveal about the kinds of psychological issues faced by immigrants? Annabelle says that she lives every day both grateful and fearful. Why? How does being raised in a country away from her family affect her identity and personal culture? j_l_cella https://padlet.com/j_l_cella/28b105r9s2ax7nff/wish/2211617449 2022-06-06 00:40:41 UTC https://padlet.com/j_l_cella/28b105r9s2ax7nff/wish/2211617449 Background: Nin Rosario- Nina, a first-generation college student, has just returned home from her first year at Stanford University. She is the daughter of Kevin and Camila Rosario, the owners of the local car service. The community looks to her as a symbol of success, as someone who has achieved great things outside "the Heights". Google (if needed) the definition of a "first-generation" college student. Nina is hiding a big secret from her family and friends at this point in the play. As you listen to/watch her sing, think about the different pressures Nina feels. :* Why do you think Nin feels so much pressure to be the "symbol of success in her community? Where does this pressure stem from?* Why do you think she is hiding her "big secret" from her family/community? What is she most worried about?* Why do you think college is universally viewed as the ultimate symbol of success? Why is this potentially problematic? j_l_cella https://padlet.com/j_l_cella/28b105r9s2ax7nff/wish/2211617941 2022-06-06 00:41:44 UTC https://padlet.com/j_l_cella/28b105r9s2ax7nff/wish/2211617941 Read Elie Wiesel's quote. Think about what you think he is trying to communicate (remember, he survived the Holocaust). j_l_cella https://padlet.com/j_l_cella/28b105r9s2ax7nff/wish/2211618206 2022-06-06 00:42:14 UTC https://padlet.com/j_l_cella/28b105r9s2ax7nff/wish/2211618206 As you read, consider the importance of language and ones identity. What is creating this shift impacting language in Spanish education? j_l_cella https://padlet.com/j_l_cella/28b105r9s2ax7nff/wish/2211624225 2022-06-06 00:52:37 UTC https://padlet.com/j_l_cella/28b105r9s2ax7nff/wish/2211624225 Read through Rupi Kaur's poem. Think about her overall message as you read. Which specific line from the poem do you think is the most powerful of the entire piece? Why is it so impactful? What does Rupi's overall message for us to see or help us to understand? j_l_cella https://padlet.com/j_l_cella/28b105r9s2ax7nff/wish/2211626945 2022-06-06 00:57:34 UTC https://padlet.com/j_l_cella/28b105r9s2ax7nff/wish/2211626945 Listen to author Erika Sanchez's interview with NPR. Think about her novel, I am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, mirrors her own personal experiences. What was her overall goal in writing this? Do you think authors have to have lived an experience or identity to write authentically about it? j_l_cella https://padlet.com/j_l_cella/28b105r9s2ax7nff/wish/2211628385 2022-06-06 01:00:00 UTC https://padlet.com/j_l_cella/28b105r9s2ax7nff/wish/2211628385