While reading A Raisin in the Sun, students will inevitably be thinking about their own future dreams and plans, and might be wondering about obstacles that can get in the way. Depending on a student’s race, culture, background, gender identity, and class, their dreams may differ greatly from other students’. Have your students use the Storyboard Creator to make a five-cell depiction of their future dreams and plans. Have them explain what motivated them or prompted them to decide on these dreams, and have them include some fears of obstacles that might get in the way. Have the students present their storyboards and then engage in a class discussion of why dreams are important to have, and to follow.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows a dream that you have. Use the template storyboard to guide you.
Engage students by inviting them to share examples of famous people—historic or modern—who overcame obstacles to achieve their dreams. This warm-up activates background knowledge and helps students see the relevance of dreaming big in real life.
Demonstrate your own connection to a dream or goal while reading a related passage from A Raisin in the Sun. Share what motivated you, possible barriers, and how you worked toward your goal. This shows students how to make meaningful, text-based connections.
Help students break down their dreams into Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound steps. This makes their aspirations more concrete and encourages reflection on realistic planning.
Organize a gallery walk where students display their storyboards and give each other positive, constructive feedback. This fosters a supportive classroom community and helps learners refine their ideas.
Wrap up by leading a reflection discussion or journaling activity about what students learned from the process—and how they can apply these lessons to future dreams. This step encourages ongoing goal setting and resilience.
Encourage students to reflect on their own aspirations by having them create a storyboard of their future dreams, just as characters do in A Raisin in the Sun. This activity deepens understanding by personalizing the play’s themes of hope, obstacles, and motivation.
Ask students to use a five-cell storyboard to illustrate their own dream, motivations, potential obstacles, and strategies for success. Then hold a class discussion about the importance of dreams, linking personal stories to the play’s characters and themes.
Common obstacles include economic barriers, cultural expectations, and self-doubt. Facilitate open discussions where students can share fears and brainstorm solutions, fostering empathy and resilience inspired by A Raisin in the Sun.
Have students create a storyboard mapping out a character’s dream, motivations, and challenges. Then, guide them to draw parallels to their own lives, strengthening their grasp of theme and character motivation.
Visualizing dreams helps students articulate goals, confront challenges, and relate literature to real life. It builds self-awareness and connects classroom learning to personal growth.