Dream Board Project Guide
Grade 7 ELA A Raisin in the Sun • Act 1, Scene 2
Canva Character Dream Board
Partner & Team Guide
Partner A:
Partner B:
Period:
Date:
The Mission: When the $10,000 Check Arrives
In Act 1, Scene 2, Big Walter’s $10,000 life insurance check finally delivers to the Younger family apartment. Each character envisions a life-changing future for this money. Collaborating with your partner, build a 5-slide Canva presentation analyzing the dreams, symbols, roadblocks, and inevitable clashes between three family members.
Step 1: Assign Team Roles & Slide Ownership
Select your slide responsibility and sign off below
Evidence Sleuth
Finds text quotes & citations in Act 1, Scene 2.
Student:
Slides:
1 2 3 4 5
Sign-Off:
Lead Wordsmith
Drafts clear analysis using required sentence stems.
Student:
Slides:
1 2 3 4 5
Sign-Off:
Visual Architect
Designs Canva layouts, selects icons & colors.
Student:
Slides:
1 2 3 4 5
Sign-Off:
Quality Captain
Monitors checkpoints, rubric rules & proofreading.
Student:
Slides:
1 2 3 4 5
Sign-Off:
Step 2: Tech Setup & File Sharing (16:9 Presentation)
1. Create Blank Deck
Open Canva → Click Presentation (16:9). Add 5 total slides.
2. Name Your Project
Title: P[#]_LastNameA_LastNameB_DreamBoard
3. Invite Partner
Click Share → Enter partner's school email → Set to Can Edit.
Slide 1 Specs
Title Slide: Include the play title, Character Dream Board, Act 1 Scene 2, both partner names, and class period. Choose a cohesive 1950s Chicago color palette (warm neutrals, rich terracotta, deep navy, or bronze). Add 1–2 period-appropriate symbols.
Slides 2–4
Character Dream Analysis (Select 3 Characters)
Mama (Lena) Walter Lee Beneatha Ruth
Each of your 3 character slides MUST include these 4 required elements:
1 The Core Dream (2-3 Sentences)
What is their deepest yearning for the $10,000?
Sentence Stem:
"_________ dreams of _________ because _________."
2 Visual Metaphor / Symbol
Add a meaningful graphic/icon (not generic clipart).
Sentence Stem:
"The [symbol] represents _________'s dream because it shows _________."
3 The Roadblock / Obstacle
What person, belief, or hardship blocks them?
Sentence Stem:
"Although _________ wants _________, _________ stands in the way by _________."
4 Text Evidence (Act 1, Scene 2)
Cite a direct action, quote, or stage direction.
Sentence Stem:
"In Act 1, Scene 2, we see this when [Character] states/does, \"_________\" (Hansberry ___)."
A Raisin in the Sun • Act 1, Scene 2 Dream Board Page 1 of 2 • Flip Over for Slide 5 & Checkpoints →
Analysis Blueprint & Quality Checkpoints
Slide 5: Dreams Collide & Final Review
Part 2
Slide 5
Dreams Collide! The Family Showdown
Choose 2 Characters in Direct Conflict
The $10,000 can only be spent once! Show why two family members cannot both get what they want. You must design both a visual clash graphic and a 3–4 sentence written explanation.
Visual Layout Diagram for Canva:
[Character 1] → [Dream + Symbol] ⚡ VS ⚡ [Dream + Symbol] ← [Character 2]
Written Analysis Requirement (Write 3–4 complete sentences on the slide):
"_________ and _________'s dreams collide over the $10,000 check because _________ wants to use the money for _________, while _________ desperately wants _________. If the family chooses _________'s dream, it will harm _________ because _________."
Project Pacing & Teacher Checkpoints
Checkpoint 1 Stamp / Sign
Planning & Roles
Roles assigned; 3 characters selected; Act 1 Sc 2 evidence lines drafted on scratch paper.
Sign-off: _____________
Checkpoint 2 Stamp / Sign
Canva Rough Draft
Slides 1–4 assembled in Canva with symbols, formatted text, and citations checked.
Sign-off: _____________
Checkpoint 3 Stamp / Sign
Slide 5 & Peer Polish
Dreams Collide slide complete; partner proofread finished; link shared to teacher.
Sign-off: _____________
Individual Contribution Log (Submit with Finished Link)
Both partners must sign below
| Partner Name | Primary Slide Responsibility | Specific Evidence / Design Contributed | Signature |
|---|
| Partner A: | Slide 1 + Slide(s): ____ | ______________________________________ | __________ |
| Partner B: | Slide 5 + Slide(s): ____ | ______________________________________ | __________ |
*Pro-Tip: In Canva, type each contributor's initials in the bottom right corner of each slide (e.g., "Researched & Designed by TR") to document your work clearly.
Final Pre-Submission Quality Checklist
Exactly 5 slides formatted in 16:9 widescreen presentation mode. Slide 1 has both partner names, period, date, and title. Slides 2–4 analyze 3 distinct characters from Act 1, Scene 2. Every character slide has an icon/symbol with explanation. Direct quote or specific Act 1, Sc 2 action cited for each character. Slide 5 clearly illustrates and explains the clash between 2 dreams. Text is high-contrast, large enough to read, and free of typos. Canva link permissions set to "Anyone with the link can view".
Golden Standard: Don't Just Make It Pretty — Show What You Know! Visual elements and symbols must directly communicate character motivations. Every design choice should help explain Lorraine Hansberry's themes of family, pride, and survival.
Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun • Act 1, Scene 2 Page 2 of 2 • Ready for Grading
