NAME: __________________________________________________

TRANSCENDENTALISM CHOICE BOARD

DIRECTIONS:

ONESELECT

Select one activity from each of the groups below (3 activities total)
Details for each activity are included on the back of this sheet
Please circle the three options you choose.
Attach all work to this page before submitting it.
All typed work should be in MLA format, including a heading.

TEXT MESSAGE
QUOTE POSTER

20
PTS

ONESELECT

WRITE A POEM

MIX TAPE
SCHOOL BROCHURE

30
PTS

ONESELECT

FILM ANALYSIS

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

COMMENCEMENT SPEECH

40
PTS

JOURNAL ENTRIES

USE OF CLASS TIME

10
PTS

SELECT ONE
SELECT ONE

MIX TAPE: Select FIVE songs to include on the compilation NOW: Thats What I Call
Transcendentalism! Vol. 1.
Include the list of five songs, including the title of the song and the artist.
Write a short explanation for how each song depicts Transcendental ideas. Include significant
quotes to support each explanation.
You must represent at least THREE different Transcendental ideas with your songs.
Typed, double-spaced, standard font; MLA heading; May use bullet points.
SCHOOL BROCHURE: Imagine you are creating a high school for Transcendental thinkers. Create a
brochure advertising your school to prospective students.
Give your school a name and a unique logo
Include a paragraph that describes the schools history and philosophy towards education.
Include course descriptions for at least 3 classes offered by the school (Ex: Nature Painting
101)
Other optional ideas you may include: student testimonials, campus map, demographic
information, honors and achievements, famous alumni, etc.
Presentation/neatness counts!
FILM ANALYSIS: Watch a film with Transcendental themes and analyze three scenes.
For each scene: 1) summarize what happens in the scene in 3-4 sentences and 2) analyze how
the scene exemplifies one or more Transcendental ideas
At least TWO different Transcendental ideas must be represented
Typed, double-spaced, standard font; MLA heading; May use bullet points.

SELECT ONE

TEXT MESSAGE: Fabricate a series of text messages (one long conversation or several shorter ones)
between Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau.
At least 10 significant text messages (Comments like Sup? or Hey dont count toward your
total).
May use slang, modern language, and/or conversational tone
Include at least two quotes from each writer (4 quotes total).
Responses to the quotes should help explain how the quote is an example of Transcendental
ideas.
Presentation/neatness counts! Text message template available on class website.
QUOTE POSTER: Design a poster that artistically depicts a quote from Emerson or Thoreau.
8x10 or 11 x 14 size
Include a typed paragraph that explains 1) how the quote exemplifies one or more
Transcendental ideas and 2) the significance of your artwork (in other words, why it is an
appropriate visual)
Typed, double-spaced, standard font; MLA heading
WRITE A POEM: Write a poem with Transcendental themes.
20 lines minimum
Typed, double-spaced, standard font; MLA heading

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Write a letter to the editor of your local paper expressing whether you
believe Emerson and Thoreau SHOULD or SHOULD NOT be required reading for high school students.
Use at least three quotes from Emerson and/or Thoreau to support your argument.
Typed, double-spaced, standard font; MLA heading
Two page minimum
COMMENCEMENT SPEECH: Imagine you have been selected to give a speech at graduation. Base
your speech on the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson and/or Henry David Thoreau.
Include at least three quotes from Emerson and/or Thoreau.
Your advice should include why these ideas are important for young people to consider as they
move on to the next phase of their lives.
Your speech should be addressed to the class of 2016.
Typed, double-spaced, standard font; MLA heading.
Two page minimum
JOURNAL ENTRIES: Take some time to experience nature, free from distractions (that means leave
your phone behind!) and write about your experiences.
For each journal entry, spend at least 30 minutes alone, in a natural setting.
Bring something to write with: record details about the sight, sound, and feel of nature and

record your thoughts.

After each visit, use your knows and your knowledge of Transcendentalism to reflect on your
experience and make connections to the writings of Emerson and Thoreau in a journal entry
Each entry should be a minimum of one page.
Minimum of two journal entries.
Typed, double-spaced, standard font; MLA heading