Transcendentalist Book Clubs, Day #3: December 7, 2017

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:

• Make sure everybody is discussing and everybody is contributing.
• Annotate (to lead to better discussion).
• Try out more creative warm-ups.

What I need to do:

• Keep leaving you feedback on your syllabus.
• Come sit with your groups for a few minutes.
• Give you more time.
• Bring cookies. 

3. Enjoying your third book club discussions!

HW:
1. Assigned book club reading and syllabus-creating for tomorrow. 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 this Friday for your last in-class day of speech preparation.

3. Click HERE if you'd like to preview the rubric for your transcendentalist blog posts. Your blog, as well ALL MAKE-UP WORK / REVISIONS FROM THE LAST 6 WEEKS must be completed by 3:00 pm on Thursday, December 14. Please note: This will be one of the few assignments that you will not be able to revise or take extra time on because we are at the end of the semester.