A TRANSCENDENTAL SOCIETY!
Webquest Created by: Kathryn Clark
Dayton,Ohio
W.E.
Stebbins
High
School
INTRODUCTION
What is Transcendentalism? What is a society? Be prepared
to accurately learn about both as you create:
THE TASK
You have just met Ralph Waldo Emerson, Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson
and many other American authors that are Transcendentalists. They
want you and your partner to design a society for them so that they can
freely express their beliefs and finally become one with nature. It is
up to you to create this society for these famous authors. The society
will need to include the following information:
*A name for the society
*A pledge illustrating the values and allegiances (loyalty, commitment) of the society.
*A flag
*A monetary system
*A brochure that includes information about: the kinds of work your society would
encourage its citizens to engage in; the type of environment; 3 behaviors your society
would deem inappropriate/ criminal behavior with the consequences; the term
“transcendentalist defined three different times; and the names of 6 authors that are
Transcendentalists.
*A poster that would encourage other Transcendentalists to become a part of your
society (persuasion!).
THE PROCESS
You will need to follow these fun steps:
1)
Find three definitions for Transcendentalism and cite the web site
where you found each definition.
2)
List 5 AMERICAN authors that were Transcendentalists and cite
the web site where you found this information.
3)
Select a name for the society. You may create a name with
meaning or an acronym (What is an acronym?). The name must
adhere to the Transcendentalist beliefs/ideas.
4)
Write a pledge illustrating the values and Allegiances (loyalty &
commitment) of your society. Follow America’s “Pledge of
Allegiance” format, or think of your own ten sentences. The
pledge must adhere to the Transcendentalist beliefs/ideas.
5)Design and create a flag using colors and symbols to illustrate the
values of your society.
The flag/symbols must adhere to the Transcendentalist
beliefs/ideas.
6)Develop a monetary system for your society, giving samples of
currency (money) and explaining in detail how the system works.
The monetary system must adhere to the Transcendentalist
beliefs/ideas.
7) Create a brochure that includes the following
information:
*Explain the kinds of work your society would encourage
its citizens to engage in (This must adhere to the
Transcendentalist beliefs/ideas).
*Describe the type of environment in your society. Is it rural; urban;
suburban; or a combination? (This must adhere to the
Transcendentalist beliefs/ideas).
*Describe at least 3 behaviors your society would deem
inappropriate/criminal behaviors. Then explain how your society
would dela with those citizens who exhibit those behaviors. (This
must adhere to the Transcendentalist beliefs/ideas).
*Include your (3) definitions of Transcendentalism & the (6)
Transcendentalist authors a part of your society. Don’t forget to
tell where you found this information!
8) Create a poster that encourages other Transcendentalis to
become apart of the society.
9) You and your partner will present all of this information to
the class.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
*The following are websites to explore in order to complete this project.
Enjoy!
www.csustan.edu/english/reuben/pal/chap4/4intro.html
www.vcu.edu/engweb/transcendentalism/ideas/tr-aldef.html
www.transcendentalists.com/terminology.html
http://womenshistory.about.com/bltranscend.htm
http://www.san.beck.org/WP15-Emerson.html
http://www.transcendentalists.com/
http://www.zebra.net/~ernie.seckinger/Transcendentalism.htm
http://web.demigod.org/~zak/documents/high-school/transcendentalism/html
http://web.demigod.org/~zak/documents/high-school/transcendentalism/html
http://guweb2.gonzaga.edu/faculty/campbell/enl311/amtrans.htm
You can also use your Literature book and the library!
EVALUATION
You will be graded on the following:
*Name (Creative? Adhere to Transcendentalist idea?)
*Pledge (10 lines? Creative? Adhere to Transcendentalist idea?)
*Flag (Creative? Carefully described? Displays various colors/
symbols? Adhere to Transcendentalist idea?)
*Monetary System (Creative? Colorful? Tran. idea?)
*Mini Book (Creative? Colorful? Tran. idea?)
*Describes Environment Completely, Tran. idea?
*Describes 3 behaviors/consequences, Tran. idea?
*Describes various jobs, Tran. idea?
*Includes (3) definitions & where found?
*Includes (6) Transcendentalist authors & where found?
*Poster (Creative? Colorful? Persuasive? Tran. idea?)
*Presentation/Individual Worker Grade
TOTAL POINTS: 195 POINTS
10pts.
10pts.
20pts.
15pts.
15pts.
10pts.
10pts.
10pts.
10pts.
10pts.
25pts.
50pts.
CONCLUSION
After doing all of your investigation and evaluation, you should be able
to create a society for the American Transcendentalist writers! You
should turn in to your all of the necessary materials. Your teacher
should provide a file folder to hold all of your work (brochures, poster,
mini-booklet, flag, examples of currency, etc.). Good luck with your
mission and thank you!
The GRATEFUL Transcendentalist Writers