Henry David Thoreau
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| Walden Teaching Unit A teaching unit and individual learning packet from Prestwick House. Includes chapter-by-chapter study guides, discussion questions, vocabulary, assessments and keys, and introductory material. |
Biography and Transcendentalism
Jill Bolte Taylor's stroke of insight
Looking for a way to connect Transcendentalism with our lives? Try this TED talk, in which Dr. Taylor describes her understanding of the brain and perception. The parallels with Transcendentalism are striking. The talk runs 18:42.
Thoreau Reader
E-texts and related links to Walden, "Civil Disobedience," and others. An excellent resource.
Thoreau's Walden
Introduction, podcast, and related links; part of NPR's "Present at the Creation" series.
The Writings of Henry D. Thoreau
Biography, correspondence, an excellent FAQ section, "Reflections on Walden," and related links. Includes links to transcripts of his journals.
"Civil Disobedience"
"Civil Disobedience" at the Thoreau Reader
E-texts and related links to Walden, "Civil Disobedience," and others. An excellent resource.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Study guide questions for "Letter from Birmingham Jail," a good companion piece to "Civil Disobedience."
Keep on Pushing: Popular Music and the Civil Rights Movement from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Music presents insights and multiple points of view as well as an emotional impact which other historical documents, particularly written, often lack. This unit focuses particularly on "protest" or "message" songs associated with the civil rights movement of the 1960s, a cause which inspired large numbers of Americans to civil disobedience and significantly influenced subsequent events and attitudes in this country.
"On the Duty of Civil Disobedience"
Prompts for writing/discussion.
Seminar questions for "Civil Disobedience"
Excellent discussion points organized as "opening," "core," and "closing" questions.
Study Questions for "Civil Disobedience"
Ten questions for writing/discussion with model answers for the first 3.
Webtext on "Resistance to Civil Government"
This text has been annotated with background information and guiding questions.
Walden
Affluenza and Thoreau
Students use online resources to investigate Thoreau and a life of voluntary simplicty.
Introduction to the Nature Journal
"Students exercise the observation skills that are essential to writing, visual art, and science." This lesson from the Smithsonian Institute is designed for all grade levels.
Marching to the Beat of a Different Drum from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
Students relate works by Thoreau, Emerson, and others to songs exploring nonconformity. Music/lyrics not available onsite. This lesson is excellent: thorough and adaptable.
The Missing Chapter of Walden
This writing task asks high school students to imitate Thoreau's writing style.
Suggestions for Pairing Contemporary Music and Canonical Literature
A list of songs that were inspired by reading literature. Organized by the last name of the author (e.g. Chinua Achebe, William Butler Yeats), the list includes song title, performer, year of release, and more. The list includes 7 titles inspired by Walden.
A Study of Place in Thoreau's Walden, or Life in the Woods
Students observe nature, write, and present. Lesson includes rubric and related links.
Thoreau's Walden from the Thoreau Reader
E-text (the only annotated version on the Web), Thoreau's own survey map of Walden, student questions, and a valuable resource in "Walden Express."
Walden
Text of Walden, divided by essays, downloadable and printable.
Walden
Free audio files of the text. A great resource to support readers who will be challenged by Thoreau's writing.
Walden
Vocabulary, focus questions, links, and classroom activities.
Vocabulary from Walden:
- Ch. 1 — 3 (57 words)
- Ch. 4 — 12 (38 words)
- Ch. 13 — 18 (32 words)
The Walden Express
Can't get your students to read the whole book? Try this sampling instead.
World Wide Waldens
A web-based service learning project offering young people an opportunity to apply their knowledge, creativity and energy in putting Henry David Thoreau's words into action. Sponsored by the Walden Woods Project.
Other Writings
"Chesuncook"
Text of the essay originally published in 1858.
Henry David Thoreau
Brief biography and text of 3 poems, "Great God, I Ask Thee for No Meaner Pelf," "Inspiration," and "Smoke."
Walden: The Ballad of Thoreau
The two act, four character play is a conversation between Thoreau and Emerson set during the final two days Thoreau spent in his cabin before leaving Walden Pond. The script is available free at the site. Registration required.
"Walking"
Text of Thoreau's essay.
"Wild Apples"
Text of Thoreau's essay, originally published in 1862.
"A Winter Walk"
Background information and text of the essay, available in both PDF and Google Docs format.
