TRANSCENDENTALISM PROJECT
“Transcendentalism was an intellectual movement, founded in the 1830s and 40s, that influenced philosophy,
religion and literature. The movement was a response to problems in society, and focused on intuition rather
than reason.” While there are a wide range of topics for a presentation within transcendentalism, there are a few
ideas that better lend themselves to this format than others.
STUDENTS WILL WORK INDIVIDUALLY OR IN PAIRS. YOU WILL DEVELOP A VIDEO WITH
IMAGES REPRESENTING TRANSCENDENTALISM, USING QUOTES FROM RALPH WALDO
EMERSON, DAVID THOREAU, WALT WHITMAN AND OR NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE.
DEVELOP A SERIES OF IMAGES WITH MUSIC AND QUOTES ALONG WITH ESSENTIAL
QUESTIONS AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY. SEE BELOW:
Provide at least one example for each characteristic of transcendental thought. You may provide more than one
example if you wish.
• Choose a different quotation for each category of your chart. See links for Ralph Waldo Emerson and
David Thoreau. You can not repeat images, but should find different example quotations or actions. For
instance, your quotations might come from Ralph Waldo Emerson, David Thoreau, Walt Whitman or
Nathaniel Hawthorne search under Quotations in Google and Type the name of each writer. The
Quotations should apply to the transcendentalist thought, ideas or images that you are showing.
• Look at the sample of Transcendentalism by Claudia on you tube to give you an idea how to create your
video. Do not copy other people’s work! Its call PLAGIARISM and you will be written up if you
plagiarize and receive a fail grade.
• Be sure that you provide explanations for the quotations or examples that you’ve chosen that show why
each is an example of transcendentalist thought.
• If possible, attach a copy of each of your examples to the chart that you submit. For instance, attach a copy
of a newspaper editorial or provide the link to a website or YouTube video.
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YOU WILL PRESENT THE VIDEO IN FRONT OF THE CLASS. YOU WILL RECEIVE EXTRA
POINTS IF YOU TURN THE WORK EARLY. SEE RUBRIC BELOW FOR GUIDANCE. (A
YouTube video we can watch, a song we can listen to, inserted on your video along with quotes and
Bibliography etc.)
Suggested songs that are related to transcendentalism are those related to nature, rain, the wild, ocean
etc. Examples (Vivaldi 4 seasons, Titanic theme song, dust in the wind by Kansas, beautiful day by U2
etc..)
STANDARDS:
2.2 Write responses to literature:
a. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the significant ideas in works or passages.
b. Analyze the use of imagery, language, universal themes, and unique aspects of the text.
2.3 Write reflective compositions:
a. Explore the significance of personal experiences, events, conditions, or concerns by using rhetorical strategies
(e.g., narration, description, exposition, persuasion).
Comprehension and Analysis
2.4 Make warranted and reasonable assertions about the author's arguments by using elements of the text to
defend and clarify interpretations.
Examining Transcendentalism Video Project
Final Project
Rubric
CATEGORY
9-10
8
7
6
Quotations and
Examples
Provides unique
examples for each
characteristic of
transcendentalism
using images of
nature, the wild,
ocean along with
quotes
Provides unique
examples for each
characteristic of
transcendentalism
from one genre of
popular culture.
Provides examples
for each
characteristic of
transcendentalism
from one or more
genre of popular
culture, but repeats
information.
Provides some
examples of
characteristics of
transcendentalism
from one genre of
popular culture, but
information is
incomplete.
Description
Inserted quotes,
essential questions
and music during the
sequence of images,
used different
resources.
Have some
description and most
of the examples or
quotations from
nature, popular
culture resources.
Makes a detailed
description of some
of the examples or
quotations from
popular culture
resources.
Descriptions are not
detailed or complete.
Explanation
Accurately describes
several dominant
characteristics of
transcendentalism
and accurately
relates how they are
used in the example
or quotation.
Accurately describes
a couple of dominant
characteristics of
transcendentalism
and accurately
relates how they are
used in the example
or quotation.
Describes some
dominant
characteristics of
transcendentalism,
but has difficulty
describing how these
relate to the
movement.
Has trouble picking
out the dominant
characteristics of
transcendentalism.
Presentation of
Oral presentation is
highly interesting,
easy to see/hear and
understand,
communicates main
ideas clearly, and
shows outstanding
effort.
Oral presentation is
interesting, easy to
see/hear and
understand,
communicates main
ideas, and shows
effort.
Oral presentation is
somewhat
interesting, generally
easy to see/hear and
understand, covers
the basics, and
shows fair effort.
Oral presentation is
messy or
disorganized, hard to
understand, does not
support main ideas,
and shows little
effort.
The Video in
Class
Total: _________/