UPCOMING DUE DATES
Friday 1/18: Transcendentalism Quote BannersFriday 1/25: Song Lyrics
Wednesday 1/23: Act I Quiz (The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail)
Thursday 1/31: Objective Test on Transcendentalism (short works and play)
Friday 2/1: In Class Transcendentalism Song Essay
RECENT HANDOUTS AND PRESENTATIONS
- Transcendentalism Unit Plan with Quote Banner and Song Lyric Assignments
- Transcendentalism Background and Definitions
- Emerson's "Self Reliance" excerpts from textbook
- "Self Reliance" group work to help you write reflection paragraph
- Thoreau's Walden excerpts from textbook
- Walden Discussion Question Assignment
- The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail Reading Guide
Monday 1/14
- Review and discuss Walden reading focusing on the meaning of the metaphors
- Complete the first three discussion questions in class
- Homework: complete the first six discussion questions
Tuesday 1/15
- Finish discussion questions for Walden
- Work on Walden quote banner
- Read "The Now Thoreau" foreword of The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail, focusing on how Lawrence and Lee define Thoreau as a "fascinating paradox."
- Journal 2 (two parts): PART 1 -- Choose one of the four paradoxes that you find fascinating. Elaborate on how you think the paradox reveals what is complex about Thoreau's identity and personality (based on what you have read from Walden). In other words, describe how he could be both contradictions at the same time. PART 2 -- write a paradox about you -- start with what you think other people might say are contradictions in your personality, then describe how both elements of the contradiction are true and reveal a truth about you.
Wednesday 1/16
- Define and discuss Lawrence and Lee's use of juxtaposition as shown in the fluidity of time. Consider how this fluidity suggests a transcendental concept about the relationship between the past and present and future.
- Begin reading Act I
- Analyze direct characterization (complete chart) as shown in the stage directions that introduce Thoreau: "a knife-like humor, fierce conviction, and devastating individuality
Thursday 1/17
- Continue reading Act I
- Discuss and analyze indirect characterization (complete chart) shown by Thoreau's actions (diploma, alphabet, schoolroom/huckleberrying, conflict with Nehemiah Ball, his decision to quit)
Friday 1/18
- Continue reading Act I
- Discuss and analyze Thoreau's internal conflict (complete chart) as shown by his relationship with Ellen and his struggle over corporal punishment (flogging/spanking his students)
- Homework -- read to Waldo's line, "Well, what sort of work would you like to do?" on page 49 of the large book or page 51 of the small book
- Catch up on the character and conflict chart based on what we have read so far (about a 1/3 completed)
- You will have a quiz on Wednesday over Act I -- so make sure you are caught up on your reading and analysis
