Transcendentalism Today
Group Members___________________________________________
Topic_____________________________________________
Arizona Standards:
 Writing Process: Strand 1: Prewriting, Drafting, Revising, Editing, Publishing

Writing Applications - Persuasive: The author presents an issue and expresses an
opinion in order to convince an audience to agree with the opinion or to take a particular
action.
21st Century Skills:
Learning and Innovation skills
 Creativity and Innovation – work creatively with others
 Critical thinking and Problem solving – use systems thinking, solve
problems, make judgments and decisions
 Communication and Collaboration – communicate clearly, collaborate
with others
Media Literacy
 Create media products
 Apply technology effectively
Task – Create a 3-5 minute multi-media presentation demonstrating that transcendentalist
philosophies are still worth pondering today. Presentation should provide explanation of the
philosophy which exhibits an understanding of the philosophy, and include evidence of the
value of considering these philosophies today. Each presentation should include at least one
quotation from one of the Transcendentalist works we read in class. Each presentation
must include pictures, text, and music in some combination. Groups are responsible for
ensuring software capability before the due date. Groups will present the projects on the
SmartBoard.
Process –
1. Groups will use moviemaker software
2. Groups will include pictures, text (with at least one appropriate quotation), and music to
create a 3 – 5 minute presentation.
3. Groups will select one major Transcendentalist theme and apply it to modern life.
4. Groups will attend to details by carefully editing to assure that no spelling or grammatical
errors are present.
Assessment –
1. Class members will assess groups based on rubric
2. Mrs. Reynolds will assess groups based on rubric
3. Final grades based on 1 and 2 above
Topics –
1. Be true to yourself
2. Non-conformity
3. Simplicity
4. Nature – appreciate
5. Nature – conserve
6. you may suggest a related topic – teacher must approve