TRANSCENDENTALISM UNIT: AMERICAN LITERATURE

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a

trail!” –Ralph Waldo Emerson

CREATED BY: THE SUPERHERO TEACHER

THIS PRODUCT INCLUDES: - Transcendentalism Scavenger Hunt Foldable

- Annotation page for Emerson’s “Self-Reliance”

- Annotation page for Whitman’s “I Hear America

Singing” - Annotations for Thoreau’s

“Solitude” from Walden - Compare and Contrast

foldable - Write Your Own Life

Philosophy Essay - Transcendentalism Guiding

Principles Activity

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TRANSCENDENTALISM: INTERNET SCAVENGER HUNT

DIRECTIONS: Cut out the flower shape on this page. Fold the petals in towards the center of the flower. Then, complete the questions on the tabs by writing them on the inside. BONUS: After answering the

questions, why do you think a flower was used for this assignment? +2 points

Name: ___________________ Period: _________ Date: ____________

TRANSCENDENTALISM: RALPH WALDO EMERSON ANNOTATION

Follow the link to read the first FOUR paragraphs and paragraph #7 of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “Self Reliance” and complete the annotation and questions below!

Link: http://bit.ly/1f7zCud

Summary of each paragraph Questions/Annotation

Name: ___________________ Period: _________ Date: ____________

When you are finished, highlight 2 questions that you can ask your partner. Discuss the questions and write the answer down on the back.

TRANSCENDENTALISM: WALT WHITMAN ANNOTATION

Follow the link to read Walt Whitman’s poem, “I Hear America Singing” and complete the annotation and questions below!

Link: http://bit.ly/WwulZB

Summary of poem Questions/Annotation

Name: ___________________ Period: _________ Date: ____________

What does this poem say about Whitman’s beliefs? How does Whitman feel about America?

TRANSCENDENTALISM: HENRY THOREAU ANNOTATION

Follow the link to read Henry Thoreau’s “Solitude” from Walden and complete the annotation and questions below!

Link: http://bit.ly/1qyaQ0g

Summary of the text Questions/annotation

Name: ___________________ Period: _________ Date: ____________

What is the definition of solitude?

TRANSCENDENTALISM: COMPARE AND CONTRAST

Name: ___________________ Period: _________ Date: ____________

Assignment Directions: Now that you have read pieces by Emerson, Whitman, and Thoreau– the most popular Transcendentalists from the time– you need to compare and contrast their work. Try answering some of these questions as well as voicing your own opinion about the texts as well: what makes them

Transcendentalists? What were their beliefs? How are they similar? How are they different?

Foldable Directions: Cut the accordion foldable below and paste the center hexagon on the next page. Then, fold the two other flaps in toward the

center. You will compare and contrast the three authors on the inside of the foldable. Label the front flap “Transcendentalism: Compare and Contrast

Assignment”!

TRANSCENDENTALISM: COMPARE AND CONTRAST

Name: ___________________ Period: _________ Date: ____________

Directions: After you cut the accordion foldable out, paste the center hexagon only to the center of this page. Be sure to title the front

flap “Transcendentalism: Compare and Contrast Assignment”! Paste center here!

YOUR OPINION COUNTS: Which of the Transcendentalist pieces did you like the best? Who’s writing style did you like the most? Why?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

TRANSCENDENTALISM: WRITE YOUR LIFE PHILOSPHY

Objective: To claim your personal life philosophy by reflecting on the writing of the American Transcendentalists. Directions: After reading, comprehending, and reflecting on the Transcendentalist pieces provided, begin to brainstorm what your personal life philosophy might include. Take notes on the following page. Once you have a basic idea of what you value most, begin to map out what you need in life that leads to your idea of complete happiness. Context: For the Transcendentalists, many believed that the way to happiness consisted of living a “natural” life, being independent in your thoughts, working hard to get where you are going, and going into nature to find oneself. Now ask yourself this question: what do you think is most important in life and what steps do you need to take in order to achieve it? • Requirements:

• Your life philosophy should be a minimum of THREE pages (typed, double spaced, and proper MLA or APA format). (20 points)

• Your life philosophy should be grammatically correct. (10 points) • Your life philosophy should include an introduction highlighting your main

points, 4 body paragraphs, and a conclusion. (40 points) • Prior to turning your life philosophy in, you must complete the

brainstorming/mapping activities on the following page. (10 points) • Your life philosophy should be edited by a minimum of two people (signed

and dated). (10 points) • Lastly, your life philosophy is due

___________________________ (10 points).

Name: ___________________ Period: _________ Date: ____________

TRANSCENDENTALISM: WHAT DO YOU VALUE MOST?

Name: ___________________ Period: _________ Date: ____________

In order to help you determine what you value most in life, check the boxes below that you feel are an absolute necessity for happiness in life. Then, narrow them down to 4 (one for each body

paragraph). Feel free to create your own as well– the more creative the better! Humor High self esteem Monetary Success ($) Education Intelligence Close family relationships Close friendship relationships Material possessions Passions/hobbies Job security Achieved Goals Accomplishments Bonds with animals Love/Romance Technology Nature Flexibility with time Independence Recreational activities Sports Spirituality/religion Financial security Entertainment Vacations Compliments/flattery/praise Clothing/shoes/shopping Social/communication skills Creativity Freedom to do as you please Safety/comfort Vocations/Occupations/Careers

Keep in mind: These are only a FEW of the MANY things that can lead to

happiness. Think about your own life– what makes you the most happy?

Final 4 Values & Explanations

TRANSCENDENTALISM: MAP YOUR LIFE PHILOSPHY

Name: ___________________ Period: _________ Date: ____________

DIRECTIONS: Step one: Cut out and fold the accordion foldable on the next page.

Step two: Glue the foldable on the space provided below. Step three: Begin to map your life philosophy by writing your main points in

the introduction, your values and how to achieve them in the body paragraphs, and an overall summary in the conclusion!

Be as detailed as possible! Doing so will help you format your life

philosophy essay!

To start, look at the items you value most on the previous page. You will put one of those values in each of the body paragraphs. Expand

on those values by providing why they are important and how they can be achieved. You will use the foldable to begin the first draft of your

essay. Glue the foldable here!

TITLE OF LIFE PHILOSOPHY ESSAY:

_____________________________________________

Introduction (what will your main points be?)

Body Paragraph #1– Value: ________________________

Body Paragraph #2– Value: ________________________

Body Paragraph #3– Value: ________________________

Conclusion (summarize your final thoughts)

TRANSCENDENTALISM: GUIDING PRINCIPLES

What were the guiding principles of the Transcendentalists and how did following these

principles impact other’s lives? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Modern Day Transcendentalists Think about pop culture today and come up

with at least 2 examples of modern day transcendentalists (people who value the same guiding principles as the transcendentalists)

Draw their faces here!

How are they similar?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name: ___________________ Period: _________ Date: ____________

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