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.

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.

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.

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?

• 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.