English III students will read literary and informational texts about the American Dream to understand how foundational American literature treats the topic. Students express their understanding by extracting and connecting the central ideas of various texts and by arguing whether the American Dream is attainable. Students will read various foundational literary and informational texts to understand the role and impact religion had on the establishment of the American colonies and its continued influence throughout the formation of the American identity. Students express their understanding by evaluating the impact of symbolism, including religious symbolism, on the development of multiple themes in The Scarlet Letter. Students also research the challenges to and limits of the First Amendment.