Self-Reliance: November 30, 2016

Focus: What does it mean to be self-reliant, and why did the Transcendentalists value self-reliance?

Start yourself a brand-new Transcendentalist document 

(to go inside your Transcendentalist folder, of course).

1. Warming up with a satirical criticism of millennials and their lack of self-reliance

• Before watching: What does it mean to be self-reliant? Create your own definition.

• While watching: To what extent is the video's criticism accurate? Do you think millennials lack self-reliance? What enables this?

• After watching: Based on your definition, would you describe yourself as self-reliant? Why or why not?

2. Setting up your Transcendental journal and offering you some tips on reading Transcendental essays

Setting up Your Journal...

• Create your own blog (you can use your Google account to sign into www.blogger.com).

• Make sure your first name and last initial are in the title, along with the word "Transcendentalist."

• Send me your URL and make sure your blog is accessible to all humans with Google accounts.

• You will use this space to share your Transcendentalist findings with everyone else.

Reading...

• Read Emerson's "Self-Reliance" (there's a vocab sheet if you're getting stuck).

• Let your eyes skim over the lines that don't interest you as much.

• Let your eyes settle on the lines that resonate with you. Underline them.

Journaling...

• Find 3-5 lines from the essay you appreciate/love/agree with. Enter them in your blog journal.

• For each line you've chose, reflect and react. You can simply write, you can create a short video, you can draw and upload your drawing, or you can include a combination of photographs and writing. 

• Use your reaction to figure out why you're connecting to the lines you've chosen. Why does this matter to you? Why should this matter to everyone?

• "To speak truly, few adult persons can see nature...The sun illuminates only the eye of the man, but shines into the eye and the heart of the child." -- from Emerson's "Nature"
•  I chose this image of my three-year-old and five-year-old, bundled up in sweaters, jackets, and hats, because they beg me each morning and afternoon to go outside. They enjoy the quiet darkness of a winter morning. They can't wait to kick their legs on the swings in the summer. In the fall, they chase leaves, In the spring, they taste rain and leave sloppy footprints in the leftover snow. When did I stop going outside to play? 

3. Taking time to read "Self-Reliance" and journal/blog

If you finish early, click HERE for a recent article about helicopter parenting.

HW:
1. Assigned book club reading and syllabus creating for tomorrow.
2. Bring headphones on Friday.