Penultimate Day of Book Clubs: December 13, 2016

Focus: What larger patterns and themes are emerging in our transcendentalist texts?

Shortened class due to assembly schedule

1. Warming up with a story (and, perhaps, an example of being vulnerable)

2. Enjoying the penultimate day of our transcendentalist book clubs

Challenge 1: Putting the puzzle pieces together

• What patterns (motifs) have emerged at this point?
• What are some of the prominent symbols, and are their meanings shifting?
• What larger themes are starting to take form?

Challenge 2: Making the transcendentalist connection

We've dabbled in the following transcendentalist concepts:

• Self-reliance
• Nature (and its connection to human nature)
• Living deliberately and redefining "essential"
• Civil disobedience

Which ones are surfacing in your books? How so?

3. Wrapping up with an informal exit (no clicking necessary--simply discuss with your groups): What do you hope to accomplish in your final book club meeting on Thursday? What questions need to get answered? What topics need to be discussed?

HW:

1. Final assigned book club reading and syllabus-creating for Thursday. Remember that your book must be finished by Thursday.

2. Work on your final speech by writing/outlining, preparing your media, and practicing every night. Be ready to deliver it on Friday, Dec 16. Do not be absent this day.

3. If you've been absent or behind, take some time to update your Transcendentalist blog posts. I will start grading them after school on Thursday, Dec 15.