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Examining Transcendentalism through Popular Culture

Classroom Resource Information

Title:

Examining Transcendentalism through Popular Culture

URL:

http://readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/examining-transcendentalism-through-popular-320.html

Content Source:

ReadWriteThink

Type:

Lesson/Unit Plan

Overview:

After a brief introduction to the transcendentalist movement of the 1800s, students develop a working definition of transcendentalism by answering and discussing a series of questions about their own individualism and relationship to nature. Over the next few sessions, students read and discuss excerpts from Emerson's “Nature” and “Self-Reliance” and Thoreau's Walden. They use a graphic organizer to summarize the characteristics of transcendental thought as they read. Students then examine modern comic strips and songs to find evidence of transcendental thought. They gather additional examples on their own to share with the class. Finally, students complete the chart showing specific examples of transcendental thought from a variety of multimodal genres.

Content Standard(s):

English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 9	R2. Read and comprehend a variety of literary texts to develop a literal and figurative understanding as appropriate to the type of text, purpose, and situation. Examples: short and long prose texts, poetry, dramas Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: R2. Literary texts Literal understanding Figurative understanding Text Purpose Situation Knowledge: R2. Students know: Necessary skills to read and comprehend a variety of literary texts. Strategies to analyze literary text to develop a literal and figurative understanding. Literary texts have different intended meanings depending on the genre, purpose, and situation. Skills: R2. Students are able to: Read and comprehend a variety of literary texts. Develop literal and figurative understanding of literary texts appropriate to the text, purpose, and situation. Understanding: R2. Students understand that: Literary texts can be understood on both a literal and figurative level.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 9	R3. Utilize active listening skills in formal and informal conversations, following predetermined norms. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: R3. Active listening Formal conversations Informal conversations Predetermined norms Knowledge: R3. Students know: Active listening skills. Strategies to identify formal and informal settings. Engage in formal and informal conversations. Predetermined norms for formal and informal discussions. Skills: R3. Students are able to: Demonstrate active listening skills during formal and informal discussions. Practice predetermined norms for formal and informal discussions. Understanding: R3. Students understand that: Conversations and discussions follow predetermined norms which help us actively listen and gain understanding.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 9	3. Analyze how an author's cultural perspective influences style, language, and themes. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: 3. Cultural perspective Style Language Theme Knowledge: 3. Students know: An author's cultural perspective influences the style, language, and themes of their work. Skills: 3. Students are able to: Identify the style, language, and theme of text. Analyze how an author's cultural perspective influenced the style, language, and theme of their work. Understanding: 3. Students understand that: An author's cultural perspective affects word choice, style, theme, and other aspects of a text.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 9	4. Analyze how authors use characterization, connotation, denotation, figurative language, literary elements, and point of view to create and convey meaning in a variety of texts. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: 4. Characterization Connotation Denotation Figurative language Literary elements Point of view Knowledge: 4. Students know: Authors choose to write from a particular point of view and use specific literary elements and vocabulary words to convey their intended meaning. Skills: 4. Students are able to: Identify characterization, connotation, denotation, figurative language, literary elements, and point of view in a variety of texts. Analyze how characterization, connotation, denotation, figurative language, literary elements, and point of view creates and conveys meaning in a variety of texts. Understanding: 4. Students understand that: Authors select particular literary elements and devices to create and convey meaning within their written work.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 9	11. Participate in collaborative discussions involving multiple perspectives, responding and contributing with relevant evidence and commentary. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: 11. Collaborative discussions Perspectives Relevant information Commentary Knowledge: 11. Students know: The format and process for respectful, collaborative discussions. Strategies to incorporate relevant evidence to support a perspective in a collaborative discussion. Skills: 11. Students are able to: Participate in a class discussion in a respectful and collaborative environment. Use evidence to support perspectives in a collaborative discussion. Understanding: 11. Students understand that: Using evidence to support a perspective is necessary in a respectful, collaborative discussion.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 9	23. Use audio sources to obtain useful and credible information to answer a question, solve a problem, or defend a position. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: 23. Audio sources Useful information Credible information Knowledge: 23. Students know: Active listening skills. Credible information is accurate and reliable. Information learned through listening can be used to answer a question, solve a problem, or defend a position. Skills: 23. Students are able to: Assess the credibility of information from an audio source. Respond to information obtained through listening by answering a question, solving a problem, or defending a position. Understanding: 23. Students understand that: Listening actively can help them determine if the speaker's ideas are useful and credible to the given occasion. They can use the information they learn from listening to others speak for a variety of purposes.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 10	R2. Read and comprehend a variety of literary texts to develop a literal and figurative understanding as appropriate to the type of text, purpose, and situation. Examples: short and long prose texts, poetry, dramas Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: R2. Literary texts Literal understanding Figurative understanding Text Purpose Situation Knowledge: R2. Students know: Necessary skills to read and comprehend a variety of literary texts. Strategies to analyze literary text to develop a literal and figurative understanding. Literary texts have different intended meanings depending on the genre, purpose, and situation. Skills: R2. Students are able to: Read and comprehend a variety of literary texts. Develop literal and figurative understanding of literary texts appropriate to the text, purpose, and situation. Understanding: R2. Students understand that: Literary texts can be understood on both a literal and figurative level.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 10	R3. Utilize active listening skills in formal and informal conversations, following predetermined norms. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: R3. Active listening Formal conversations Informal conversations Predetermined norms Knowledge: R3. Students know: Active listening skills. Strategies to identify formal and informal settings. Engage in formal and informal conversations. Predetermined norms for formal and informal discussions. Skills: R3. Students are able to: Demonstrate active listening skills during formal and informal discussions. Practice predetermined norms for formal and informal discussions. Understanding: R3. Students understand that: Conversations and discussions follow predetermined norms which help us actively listen and gain understanding.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 10	3. Analyze how an author's cultural perspective influences style, language, and themes. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: 3. Cultural perspective Style Language Theme Knowledge: 3. Students know: An author's cultural perspective influences the style, language, and themes of their work. Skills: 3. Students are able to: Identify the style, language, and theme of text. Analyze how an author's cultural perspective influenced their work's style, language, and theme. Understanding: 3. Students understand that: An author's cultural perspective affects word choice, style, theme, and other aspects of a text.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 10	4. Interpret an author's use of characterization, connotation, denotation, figurative language, literary elements, and point of view to create and convey meaning in a variety of texts. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: 4. Characterization Connotation Denotation Figurative language Literary elements Point of view Knowledge: 4. Students know: Authors choose to write from a particular point of view and use specific literary elements and vocabulary words to convey their intended meaning. Skills: 4. Students are able to: Identify characterization, connotation, denotation, figurative language, literary elements, and point of view in a variety of texts. Interpret how characterization, connotation, denotation, figurative language, literary elements, and point of view creates and conveys meaning in a variety of texts. Understanding: 4. Students understand that: Authors select particular literary elements and devices to create and convey meaning within their written work.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 10	11. Participate in collaborative discussions involving multiple perspectives, responding and contributing with relevant evidence and commentary. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: 11. Collaborative discussions Perspectives Relevant information Commentary Knowledge: 11. Students know: The format and process for respectful, collaborative discussions. Strategies to incorporate relevant evidence to support a perspective in a collaborative discussion. Skills: 11. Students are able to: Participate in a class discussion in a respectful and collaborative environment. Use evidence to support perspectives in a collaborative discussion. Understanding: 11. Students understand that: Using evidence to support a perspective is necessary for a respectful, collaborative discussion.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 10	23. Use audio sources to obtain useful and credible information to answer a question, solve a problem, or defend a position. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: 23. Audio sources Useful information Credible information Knowledge: 23. Students know: Active listening skills. Credible information is accurate and reliable. Information learned through listening can be used to answer a question, solve a problem, or defend a position. Skills: 23. Students are able to: Assess the credibility of information from an audio source. Respond to information obtained through listening by answering a question, solving a problem, or defending a position. Understanding: 23. Students understand that: Listening actively can help them determine if the speaker's ideas are useful and credible to the given occasion. They can use the information they learn from listening to others speak for a variety of purposes.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 11	R2. Read and comprehend a variety of literary texts to develop a literal and figurative understanding as appropriate to the type of text, purpose, and situation. Examples: short and long prose texts, poetry, dramas Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: R2. Literary texts Literal understanding Figurative understanding Text Purpose Situation Knowledge: R2. Students know: Necessary skills to read and comprehend a variety of literary texts. Strategies to analyze literary text to develop a literal and figurative understanding. Literary texts have different intended meanings depending on the genre, purpose, and situation. Skills: R2. Students are able to: Read and comprehend a variety of literary texts. Develop literal and figurative understanding of literary texts appropriate to the text, purpose, and situation. Understanding: R2. Students understand that: Literary texts can be understood on both a literal and figurative level.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 11	R3. Utilize active listening skills in formal and informal conversations, following predetermined norms. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: R3. Active listening Formal conversations Informal conversations Predetermined norms Knowledge: R3. Students know: Active listening skills. Strategies to identify formal and informal settings. Engage in formal and informal conversations. Predetermined norms for formal and informal discussions. Skills: R3. Students are able to: Demonstrate active listening skills during formal and informal discussions. Practice predetermined norms for formal and informal discussions. Understanding: R3. Students understand that: Conversations and discussions follow predetermined norms which help us actively listen and gain understanding.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 11	1. Read, analyze, and evaluate complex literary and informational texts written from various points of view and cultural perspectives, with an emphasis on works of American literature. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: 1. Analyze Evaluate Complex literary text Complex informational texts Points of view Cultural perspectives American literature Knowledge: 1. Students know: Necessary skills to read, analyze, and evaluate complex literary and informational texts. Strategies to identify and describe various points of view and cultural perspectives. Skills: 1. Students are able to: Read complex texts. Analyze elements within complex texts. Evaluate text based on specific criteria provided by teacher. Understanding: 1. Students understand that: Texts written from various cultural perspectives and viewpoints can provide them with valuable information about the thoughts, opinions, and experiences of others.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 11	3. Analyze how an author explicitly exhibits his/her cultural perspective in developing style and meaning. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: 3. Analyze Cultural perspective Style Meaning Knowledge: 3. Students know: An author's cultural perspective influences the style and meaning of their work. Skills: 3. Students are able to: Identify the style and meaning of text. Analyze how an author explicitly exhibits his/her cultural perspective in a text. Understanding: 3. Students understand that: An author's cultural perspective affects word choice, style, theme, and the overall meaning of a text.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 11	4. Analyze how an author uses characterization, figurative language, literary elements, and point of view to create and convey meaning. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: 4. Analyze Characterization Figurative language Literary elements Point of view Create Convey Knowledge: 4. Students know: Authors choose to write from a particular point of view and use specific literary elements and vocabulary words to convey their intended meaning. Methods to analyze characterization, figurative language, literary elements, and point of view. Skills: 4. Students are able to: Identify characterization, figurative language, literary elements, and point of view in a variety of texts. Analyze how characterization, figurative language, literary elements, and point of view creates and conveys meaning in a variety of texts. Understanding: 4. Students understand that: Authors select particular literary elements and devices to create and convey meaning within their written work.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 11	14. Participate in collaborative discussions involving multiple cultural and literary perspectives, responding to, contributing to, building upon, and questioning the ideas of others with relevant, appropriate evidence and commentary. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: 14. Collaborative discussions Cultural perspectives Literary perspectives Relevant, appropriate evidence Commentary Knowledge: 14. Students know: The format and process for respectful, collaborative discussions. Strategies to incorporate relevant evidence to support a perspective in a collaborative discussion. Methods for responding, contributing to, building upon, and questioning the ideas of others with relevant, appropriate evidence and commentary. Skills: 14. Students are able to: Participate in a class discussion in a respectful and collaborative environment. Respond to, contribute to, build upon, or question the ideas of others in a collaborative discussion. Use relevant, appropriate evidence to support perspectives in a collaborative discussion. Understanding: 14. Students understand that: Using evidence to support a perspective is necessary for a respectful, collaborative discussion. There are multiple ways to respond to others in a collaborative discussion, including answering questions, asking questions, or adding to others' ideas.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 11	26. Locate and acquire audible information to answer a question, solve a problem, or defend a position, utilizing active listening to assess its usefulness, relevance, and credibility. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: 26. Audible information Active listening Usefulness Relevance Credibility Knowledge: 26. Students know: Active listening skills. Strategies to locate and acquire audible information. Criteria to determine the usefulness, relevance, and credibility of an audible research source. Credible information is accurate and reliable. Information learned through listening can be used to answer a question, solve a problem, or defend a position. Skills: 26. Students are able to: Locate and acquire useful, relevant, and credible audible information in the research process. Determine the usefulness, relevance, and credibility of an audible research source. Use research findings to answer a question, solve a problem, or defend a position. Understanding: 26. Students understand that: Listening actively can help them determine if the speaker's ideas are useful and credible to the given occasion. They can use the information they learn from listening to others speak for a variety of purposes. It is necessary to determine the relevance and credibility of an audible research source before using it as evidence to answer a question, solve a problem, or defend a position.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 12	R2. Read and comprehend a variety of literary texts to develop a literal and figurative understanding as appropriate to the type of text, purpose, and situation. Examples: short and long prose texts, poetry, dramas Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: R2. Literary texts Literal understanding Figurative understanding Text Purpose Situation Knowledge: R2. Students know: Necessary skills to read and comprehend a variety of literary texts. Strategies to analyze literary text to develop a literal and figurative understanding. Literary texts have different intended meanings depending on the genre, purpose, and situation. Skills: R2. Students are able to: Read and comprehend a variety of literary texts. Develop literal and figurative understanding of literary texts appropriate to the text, purpose, and situation. Understanding: R2. Students understand that: Literary texts can be understood on both a literal and figurative level.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 12	R3. Utilize active listening skills in formal and informal conversations, following predetermined norms. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: R3. Active listening Formal conversations Informal conversations Predetermined norms Knowledge: R3. Students know: Active listening skills. Strategies to identify formal and informal settings. Engage in formal and informal conversations. Predetermined norms for formal and informal discussions. Skills: R3. Students are able to: Demonstrate active listening skills during formal and informal discussions. Practice predetermined norms for formal and informal discussions. Understanding: R3. Students understand that: Conversations and discussions follow predetermined norms which help us actively listen and gain understanding.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 12	3. Evaluate how an author explicitly exhibits his/her cultural perspective in developing style and meaning. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: 3. Evaluate Cultural perspective Style Meaning Knowledge: 3. Students know: An author's cultural perspective influences the style and meaning of their work. Skills: 3. Students are able to: Identify the style and meaning of text. Evaluate how an author explicitly exhibits his/her cultural perspective in a text. Understanding: 3. Students understand that: An author's cultural perspective affects word choice, style, theme, and the overall meaning of a text.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 12	4. Evaluate an author's use of characterization, figurative language, literary elements, and point of view to create and convey meaning. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: 4. Evaluate Characterization Figurative language Literary elements Point of view Create Convey Knowledge: 4. Students know: Authors choose to write from a particular point of view and use specific literary elements and vocabulary words to convey their intended meaning. Methods to evaluate characterization, figurative language, literary elements, and point of view. Skills: 4. Students are able to: Identify characterization, figurative language, literary elements, and point of view in a variety of texts. Evaluate how characterization, figurative language, literary elements, and point of view creates and conveys meaning in a variety of texts. Understanding: 4. Students understand that: Authors select particular literary elements and devices to create and convey meaning within their written work.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 12	14. Actively engage in collaborative discussions about topics and texts, expressing their own ideas by respectfully contributing to, building upon, and questioning the ideas of others in pairs, diverse groups, and whole class settings. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: 14. Collaborative discussions Pairs Diverse groups Whole class settings Knowledge: 14. Students know: The format and process for respectful, collaborative discussions in a variety of settings. Methods for expressing their ideas, contributing to and building upon others' ideas, and questioning the ideas of others. Skills: 14. Students are able to: Participate in a collaborative discussion in pairs, diverse groups, and whole class settings. Express their own ideas, contribute to and build upon others' ideas, or question the ideas of others. Understanding: 14. Students understand that: They can better understand a topic or text by discussing their ideas with others. There are multiple ways to respond to others in a collaborative discussion, including answering questions, asking questions, or adding to others' ideas.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 12	26. Locate and acquire audible information to answer a question, solve a problem, or defend a position, utilizing active listening to assess its usefulness, relevance, and credibility. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: 26. Audible information Active listening Usefulness Relevance Credibility Knowledge: 26. Students know: Active listening skills. Strategies to locate and acquire audible information. Criteria to determine the usefulness, relevance, and credibility of an audible research source. Credible information is accurate and reliable. Information learned through listening can be used to answer a question, solve a problem, or defend a position. Skills: 26. Students are able to: Locate and acquire useful, relevant, and credible audible information in the research process. Determine the usefulness, relevance, and credibility of an audible research source. Use research findings to answer a question, solve a problem, or defend a position. Understanding: 26. Students understand that: Listening actively can help them determine if the speaker's ideas are useful and credible to the given occasion. They can use the information they learn from listening to others speak for a variety of purposes. It is necessary to determine the relevance and credibility of an audible research source before using it as evidence to answer a question, solve a problem, or defend a position.

Tags:

Comic Creator, comic strips, discussion, Emerson, graphic organizer, multimodal genres, summarize, transcendentalist

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Cassie Raulston

ALEX Classroom Resource

Examining Transcendentalism through Popular Culture