Transcendentalist Book Clubs, Day 3: December 8, 2016

Focus: How can we be more "deliberate" in our Transcendentalist discussions?

1. Warming up by browsing each other's "Nature" and "Walden" blogs and leaving comments:

Click HERE for your blogging buddy groups.

• Make sure your "Nature" and "Walden" blogs are complete and posted.

• Leave comments on the your blogging buddies' posts. Here are some ideas:

• At least one, deep, philosophical question inspired by the blog/"Nature"
• Ex: Why do the blue skies of winter make us feel distant from nature, while the blue skies of summer make us feel wrapped up in nature?
• At least one intellectual reaction and/or emotional reaction
• Ex: I think people connect most to the human-like aspects of nature, such as the arm-like branches of trees, or the toughness of a single, tiny ladybug.
• Ex: I loved this line from Emerson's "Nature," too. I definitely felt more connected to nature as a child.
• At least one comment on transcendentalism: To transcend is to rise above and beyond, to exceed limitations. What is being transcended here?
• Ex: Your photo and the Emerson line you chose remind me of the importance of looking up, both literally and metaphorically. In the daily grind, it's easy to forget how vast the Colorado winter sky is. For some reason, it makes me think about tomorrow instead of today. It makes me think about possibility instead of reality.

• Bonus: Make one connection between the blog and what you're reading for your book club.

2. Sharing a little feedback from Tuesday's exit tickets

What you need to do:

• Stay up with the reading.
• Annotate.
• Make sure all group members are heard.

What I need to do:

• Keep leaving you feedback on your syllabus.
• Be available to help when invited.
• Give you more time.

3. Enjoying your third book club discussions!

HW:
1. Assigned book club reading and syllabus-creating for Tuesday. Keep in mind the feedback you received on your first and second syllabi.

2. Work on your final speech by gathering evidence (personal stories, others' stories, historical events, parts of literature that we've read, interviews, images). Bring all collected evidence to class TOMORROW for your last in-class day of speech preparation.

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.