WaldenHenry David Thoreau

Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th president of the United States, was born in Delaware, Ohio, in 1822, and following a quite dramatic election, became president in March 1877 at age 54.

Mugshot Friday August 19, 2011

I can analyze the meanings of nature images Thoreau uses in Walden.

I Can…

It is an essay collection by Henry David Thoreau

On July 4th, 1845, Thoreau decided to enact the principles of Transcendentalism and moved to Walden Pond. ◦ He really wanted to be alone.

What is Walden?

This essay is classified as nature writing, which is a type of essay in which the writer uses first-hand observations to explore their relationship with nature.

This writing will be loaded with images of nature. ◦An image is a phrase or set of sentences

that construct a picture in the reader’s mind of a place or a thing. It also has meaning to the piece.

What is nature writing

First ◦ Read “Where I Lived and What I Lived For.” pg.

382-386 Record one image of nature.

Quote the image. Page Number and Line Number. What is the image saying or its meaning.

Second ◦ Summarize “Where I lived and What I lived For.”

Pair up with a partner and share your thoughts about this first section.

What I want from you

When astronomer Galileo observed sunspots in 1610, church leaders were angry that he’d suggest the sun wasn’t perfect; today we know sunspots are the sun’s relatively cold areas.

Mugshot August 22, 2011

Please write these in your notes

◦ What is the significance of Thoreau taking up residency at Walden Pond on the Fourth of July?

◦ What does Thoreau mean by saying he wants to “suck all the marrow out of life”?

◦ Why is Thoreau constantly suggesting simplicity?

◦ So far what do you think of Walden?

“Where I Lived and What I Lived For,” After Reading Questions.

What are your questions?

Independent Reading Project

Millions of creatures live in and on our bodies; the human armpit, for instance, has up to 500 million bacteria in the space of a tiny, insignificant pinhead.

Mug Shot Tuesday August 23, 2011

I can cite how Thoreau addresses the beliefs of his society and his relationship with nature.

I Can

First read the title of this section◦ Read “Solitude” pg. 386-387

Look for how Thoreau criticizes society. Write his criticism as it is written in the text.

Include Page Number and Line Number React to his criticism.

Second ◦ Summarize “Solitude.”

Third◦ Share with your partner.

What I want from you

Which would best describe Thoreau’s feelings throughout the section entitled “Solitude”?

A. Peaceful and Content B. Anxious and ExpectantC. Lonely and WistfulD. Restless and Eager

Four Corners Quiz

Answer

A

What can you infer about Thoreau, based on the unconventional lifestyle he adopted?

A. He is a person in search of excitement.B. He is unhappy that most people would

reject his lifestyle. C. He would return to the unconventional

society if he felt he could succeed there. D. He is not afraid to follow his own path,

despite what society might think.

Four Corners Quiz Two

Answer

D

French author George Sand, born July 1, 1804, was a well-known rebel for the following reasons: she took numerous lovers, she dressed in men’s clothes, and she smoked cigars.

Mug Shot August 24th 2011

I can find and describe how Thoreau writes about his relationship with nature.

I Can

Pre-Reading Question: Like the previous section, now look at the titles of the two sections and make predictions about that they will be about?

Read “The Pond in Winter,” pg. 387 and “Spring” pg. 388

Write down an image of nature for each. (12 points) ◦ Write the image as it is worded in the text. ◦ Include page number and line number.◦ Explain how each of these are examples of

something Thoreau has learned about nature.

What Else I Want

What is “The Pond in Winter,” about?◦What has Thoreau learned from nature

based on this title? ◦What does he mean by “Heaven is under

our feet as well as over our heads?”

“The Pond in Winter”

What is “Spring,” about? ◦Again, what we assume Thoreau has

learned in this brief section? ◦What could he mean by “where

yesterday was cold and gray ice there lay the transparent pond already calm and full of hope like the summer evening.”

“Spring”

Surely Thoreau wrote about other seasons, but why would the book choose to include “Spring,” and “The Pond in the Winter,” instead of the sections about fall and summer?

Final Thought on Seasons

According to a study published in January 1995 journal Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, athletes’ back-pain symptoms may indicate fractured vertebrae.

Mug Shot August 25th, 2011

Head lice lay their eggs, which are called nits, in people’s hair; consequently, just-hatched lice have a ready-to-eat food source in the blood under their hosts’ scalps.

Mug Shot August 26th, 2011

I can explain what Thoreau learned from his time at Walden Pond.

I Can

“I left the woods for as good a reason as I went there. Perhaps it seemed to me that I had several more lives to live, and could not spare any more time for that one.”

Opening lines of “Conclusion”

Read “Conclusion” pg. 388-391◦ Write one lesson Thoreau has learned from his

time at Walden Pond (6 pts) Quote something Thoreau has learned from

nature. Include page number and line number What does the lesson Thoreau has learned

reveal about his time there.

What I Want From You

Group Discussion

1. Why are the poor rich according to Thoreau? 2. “Money is not required to buy one necessary

of the soul….” what is the necessary Thoreau could be referencing?

3. What is the main idea of Walden? 4. Could you live your life like Thoreau suggests?5. How would Thoreau and the

Transcendentalists feel about Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking sites?

Thoreau Wrap Up Questions