Tancredienglish.weebly.com



Transcendentalism: Final Assessment Options

Option 1: Modern Day Transcendentalist

Research a modern (or near-modern) example of the transcendentalists and present your findings to the class according to the following criteria:

1) Thoroughly explain your example:

• What is their purpose/goal?

• Background info: what motivates them? Why are they doing it?

• Who are their role models?

• How do they go about achieving their goal?

• How are they viewed by society?

• Are they successful? What impact have they had?

• Are they on solo missions or out to change the world?

2) Explain how they connect to the Transcendentalists and provide additional support by citing three specific passages from Emerson or Thoreau

3) Our culture is reflected through our art, so you will need an artistic element to further prove your point—music AND art. You must explain how the music and art simultaneously connect to your example AND to Transcendentalism.

• ART: photograph, poster, drawing, painting, etc…(It can either directly connect to movement or relate in a more general way which you will explain during your presentation)

• MUSIC: more than likely you will rely on the lyrics, but I could easily imagine someone making a point by just using a Punk Rock instrumental

Examples for Environmentalism – Civil Rights

• ART—a photograph of an Earth First Member chained to a tree in order to prevent loggers from cutting it down – or a photo of the individual who stood in front of the tank in Tiananmen Square

• MUSIC—Lady Gaga singing ―Born This Way

Note—the art and music alone do not support your claim—you must explain how they connect

4) Choose from among the following or find a modern example of your own (NO REPEATS – sign up first come first served! )

• Civil/Human Rights—MLK, Mandela, Gandhi, Recent – Bono – Princess Diana, Elizabeth Taylor -Amnesty International, boycotts –

• Women‘s Movement

• Anti-War Movement

• Popular movie stars/musicians

• Environmentalist Movement—Earth First!, Greenpeace, Sierra Club, Tree sit ins

• Animal Rights—PETA

You will share your presentation with the class.

Option 2: Thoreau in a bag

Imagine Thoreau has been transported to the 21st century. What would he carry around in his backpack?

Describe eight to ten things he possesses and how they reflect his character, personality, and beliefs. Think outside the box – what would be some NON-obvious items that would aid Thoreau in being self-reliant & stepping out of his comfort zone in 2015. You need to explain each item in your collection, provide and explain a specific passage from our reading that supports the choice of each item and how your item connects to that, and explain why the item is representative of Thoreau and Transcendentalism.

Include your collection of items (or representations of the items). Do more research about Thoreau’s life and learn other details not discussed in class. Use in-text citation and include a works cited if you use biographical information to lend support to your choices.

You should have a well-developed paragraph to support each item. Be creative in your selection of items and don’t be too predictable. Thoreau wanted people go beyond the ordinary.

Present your items in an actual backpack OR you can create a ppt in which you share the virtual elements of your backpack.

Option 3: A Pep talk from Me to You

We have spent time discussing Transcendentalist Philosophies & beliefs, and now it’s YOUR turn. In the format of a Kid President Pep Talk video, what advice do you have to share with US, your peers & teachers in December 2013? What do you believe, think, or understand about this crazy, wild, world we live in? The theme of your talk should be “LIVING DELIBERATELY” How can we all live deliberately rather than just existing?

Your pep talk must include at least 3 quotes from Thoreau and/or Emerson & connect their views to your own. Do you agree? Disagree? Why?

The mood of your pep talk should be inspirational – share with us the good things in this world & why it’s awesome!

Speech/Video should be 3-5 minutes and will be performed/played in class. You must include a visual aid in your presentation to keep us interested and entertained (ppt, prezi, video etc).

Option 4: Transcendentalism for Kids

Write & create a children’s story that teaches a transcendentalism lesson. Just like the Henry stories that focused around elements of Thoreau’s life and his beliefs, your children’s story should be inspired by Thoreau or Emerson’s life OR reflect the values/themes of transcendentalism. It should be kid friendly and incorporate pictures – hand drawn or from the internet/clip art. The story should leave the reader with a better understanding of Transcendentalism and end with a moral or lesson that would be Thoreau or Emerson approved. You may create it as an actual book, or make a virtual story using ppt, movie maker, or photo story. You will read/present your story to the class. Students have also videotaped themselves reading their story to a sibling, cousin etc and asking the child what they got out of the story – very funny!

Project Work Days & Due Dates

Thursday 12-10 - Project Introduced & brainstorm - MC

Friday 12-11 – Project plan due – which project are you doing? What ideas do you have so far? Work day in the media center

Monday 12-14 – Media Center

DUE TO THE WAY BREAK FALLS, PRESENTATIONS WILL BEGIN AFTER WE RETURN FROM CHRISTMAS BREAK ON JANUARY 4. ALL STUDENTS MUST BE PREPARED AND READY TO PRESENT AT THAT TIME. Presentations will be selected at random. Your progress will be check during the hour on Monday 12-14 to be sure you aren’t wasting class time on this project.

Presentations – Monday-Wed Jan 4-6 2016

Rubrics

-----------------------

Option 2 – Thoreau in a Bag

8-10 creative Modern Day Thoreau items are included

__________/10

Each item includes a detailed, well supported explanation that uses quotes & support from Thoreau’s writing/life. _________/20

Presentation skills – good eye contact, clear voice, etc.

_________/10

Overall impact _________/10

Total: _________/50

Option 1 – Modern Transcendentalist

Example is thoroughly explained – questions are answered. _________/10

Connection to at least 3 Trans quotes _________/10

Music/Art examples connected to Modern Day Transcendentalist _________/10

Presentation skills – good eye contact, clear voice, etc.

_________/10

Overall impact _________/10

Total: _________/50

Option 4 – Transcendentalism for Kids

Story is appropriate for audience & connects to transcendentalism themes _________/5

The story is well-developed & leaves the reader with a better understanding of Transcendentalism and ends with a moral or lesson _________/15

Story is formatted as a book or photostory with pictures/clip art _________/10

Presentation skills – good eye contact, clear voice, etc. _________/10

Overall impact _________/10

Total: _________/50

Option 3 – Pep Talk from Me to You!

Pep talk is inspirational & focuses on the message of “Living Deliberately” _________/15

Pep talk includes at least 3 quotes from Thoreau/Emerson & connects to overall message

_________/15

Speech/Video skills – good eye contact, clear voice, etc

_________/10

Overall impact _________/10

Total: _________/50

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download