Unit 5: Where is the American Dream?

Ms. Dandridge
Humanities 801/802

Rationale: Student will study the American Modernism Literary Movement (1900-1950)
in conjunction within the U.S. History context of World War I, and the Harlem
Renaissance. Students will gain an understanding of the characteristics of Modernism as
they read poetry from the major writers of the American Modernist Movement. Further,
to address the U.S. History connection to Modernism, students will realize the ways in
which societies disillusionment with WWI influences the literature of the early 20th
century. Further, students will read Literature produced during the Roaring 20s,
specifically the Harlem Renaissance.
Students will continue to build upon their literacy skills through close readings,
writing about literature, writing from sources, and participating in whole group
discussions. As a component of the course, students will engage out of school
literacies, by utilizing the online reading program i-Ready.
Essential Question: In what ways does the literature produced in the early 20th century
depict a dereliction of the American Dream?
Standards:
RI.8.1 Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports
an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as
inferences drawn from the text.
Additional Focus Standards: RL.8.1, W.8.1 SL.8.1, L.8.

Formative Assessments
WWI Disillusionment & Isolation
o The Love Song of J. Alfred
Prufrock by T.S. Eliot

TPCASTT

Focus Questions

Focus Questions

Journal #______

TPCASTT

Journal #_____

I, Too by Langston Hughes

TPCASTT

Focus Questions

I-Ready Log Sheet

*Journals Located on Jupiter
Grade for
Unit packet

______ /100

Due April _____, 2015

Students will construct a poem on social justice. To

be successful, students will refer to John Rawls'
position on social justice and use the structure of
"Harlem" or "A Dream Deferred" by Langston
Hughes as a template.

Checklist for Success

2. Locate an article that discusses a

disadvantaged
justice

group, in terms of social

3. Closely read your article, by annotating and

constructing an RNE with 6 well-developed

The Tropics in New York by

Claude McKay

Writing Social Consciousness through

Social Justice

1. Create a list of topics concerning social justice

The Harlem Renaissance Loss & Longing

o Harlem by Langston Hughes

Summative Assessment

Quotes & Notes

4. Draft a poem that speaks to your article, by
utilizing Hughes format for "Harlem"
5. Get your poem peer edited by two peers
6. Revise your poem
7. Submit on Jupiter

Student
Name:____________________________________________________________
_____________
Parent Signature:
___________________________________________________________________
_______________________
Teacher Comments:
___________________________________________________________________

Ms. Dandridge
Humanities 801/802

Due April _____, 2015