The Distance Between Us

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)

o China’s Left Behind Children:  “Left Behind: Young Children on Their Own in China” from Wall Street Journal and “Why Are Millions of Chinese Kids Parenting Themselves?” from The Atlantic

o A migrant walking from Central America to the US border: “US Border: Migrants risk everything for an American dream” from BBC News

In a journal-style reflection after writing the letter, discuss how your experiences and your conclusions on the text contributed to the advice you offered.

Teaching Suggestion: The purpose of this activity is to help students to grapple with and synthesize their perspectives on immigration by including a human, empathetic element from a variety of backgrounds. Pairing Grande’s story with current and recent world events that drive US immigration policies will help students to develop cohesive, nuanced thoughts about the issues. Paired with the pre-reading activity to examine US policy from a historical and economic standpoint, students will be well equipped to have colorful, complex conversations about immigration policy in various settings.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners and students who struggle to translate complex thoughts to paper, consider allowing students to work in pairs, discuss their ideas before writing, record each other to help with transcribing, or edit their work after receiving feedback on a first draft.