Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Dear American Dreamer”

Students will write an advice-style column to an anonymous American Dreamer who feels compelled to move to America to follow their dreams.

Imagine you receive a letter seeking advice about moving to the United States of America in pursuit of the American Dream.

• Respond as if you are an advice columnist (using your given name or a pseudonym).
• What would you say to someone who wanted to move to the United States of America in pursuit of that dream?
• Recall your reflections and arguments about the validity and worthiness of the American Dream from the pre-reading personal reflection.
• Consider both the sacrifices they have to make and the circumstances from which they might be seeking an escape.
• Address your letter “Dear American Dreamer”; you might consider addressing the letter to one of the people in the examples below.

o Sudan’s “Lost Boys”:  “The Lost Boys, Part One” on CBS News (60 Minutes) and “The Lost Boys, Part Two on CBS News (60 Minutes)