American Literature I

DePalma 1

Introduction to
Transcendentalism
WebQuest

This Journal Belongs To

______________________________
____________________________
Period
_____________________________
WebQuest Website:

American Literature I

DePalma 2

http://transcendentalismwebquest.weebly.com
Directions: Using the link provided, answer each question in complete
sentences. You do not want to delete the questions, simply answer the
questions next to the a. provided.

Step One: Before Transcendentalism

(Do not use the American Heritage Dictionary or Wikipedia definitions)
http://www.answers.com/topic/transcendentalism
1.) Define transcendentalism
a.
2.) What authors are associated with transcendentalism?
a.
3.) What was the transcendentalist movement rejecting?
a.
4.) What movement was transcendentalism a part of?
a.
5.) What was transcendentalism a movement for? (Three separate things)
a.

Step Two: What is Transcendentalism?

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/ihas/icon/transcend.html
1.) In what area of the United Stated did transcendentalism begin?
a.
2.) Transcendentalism was the period roughly designated from
_________________ to ___________________.
3.) The transcendentalists stood at the heart of the American
Renaissance-- the flowering of our nation's thought in _________,
_________, _________, _________, _________, and _________.
4.) In the space below, list key characteristics that are identified in
defining transcendentalism

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DePalma 3

Step Three: Comparing Transcendentalist Art

Directions: For step three you and a partner will view two paintings that
come from the transcendental time period. These paintings reflect many of
the elements in a transcendentalists philosophy. Based on the two paintings,
you will complete the Venn diagram below.

Painting #1: "The Civic Revival of the Nation" - George Inness

Painting #2: Kindred Spirits" - Asher Durand
In completing this step, simply use 1-3 word descriptions of each
painting, noting their similarities and differences.

Durand

Inness

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DePalma 4

Both

__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
How do you believe the concept of transcendentalism is apparent in the two
pieces of art? Based on your current understanding of transcendentalism, list
three details.
1.)
__________________________________________________________________
_______________________________
2.)
__________________________________________________________________
_______________________________
3.)
__________________________________________________________________
_______________________________

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DePalma 5

Step Four: The Transcendentalist Club

http://transcendentalism-legacy.tamu.edu/ideas/club.html

1.)What was the date of the initial meeting of the Transcendentalist

Club?
a.
2.)What was the Transcendentalist Club?
a.
3.)What was the purpose of the Transcendentalist Club?
a.
4.)What was the Transcendentalist Club protesting against?
a.
5.)Where did the Transcendentalist Club develop?
a.
6.)What did a person need to do in order to become a member of
this club?
a.
7.) Who called the first meeting?
a.
8.) How many people attended the first meeting?
a.
9.) How many people attended the second meeting?
a.
10.)
What were the other names for the club?
a.

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DePalma 6

Step Five: Famous Transcendentalists

(For this step you are to use the links provided to fill-in the charts).

1.)

Ralph Waldo Emerson

http://transcendentalism-legacy.tamu.edu/authors/emerson/
Insert a Picture of Ralph Waldo
Background Information (When
Emerson (You are allowed to access was he born, where did he live, when
outside sources for this, although
did he die, etc.)
you do not have to)

Literature / Publications
(Information about his publications,
what did he write, writing style, what
did he write about, etc...)

Interesting Facts

American Literature I

2.)

DePalma 7

Henry David Thoreau

http://transcendentalism-legacy.tamu.edu/authors/thoreau/
Insert a Picture of Henry David
Thoreau (You are allowed to access
outside sources for this, although
you do not have to)

Background Information (When

was he born, where did he live, when
did he die, etc.)

Literature / Publications
(Information about his publications,
what did he write, writing style, what
did he write about, etc...)

Interesting Facts

American Literature I

DePalma 8

3.)

Walt Whitman

http://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poet/walt-whitman
Insert a Picture of Walt Whitman
(You are allowed to access outside
sources for this, although you do not
have to)

Background Information (When

was he born, where did he live, when
did he die, etc.)

Literature / Publications
(Information about his publications,
what did he write, writing style, what
did he write about, etc...)

Interesting Facts

American Literature I

DePalma 9

4.)

Emily Dickinson

http://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poet/emily-dickinson
Insert a Picture of Emily
Dickinson (You are allowed to
access outside sources for this,
although you do not have to)

Literature / Publications
(Information about her publications,
what did she write, writing style,
what did she write about, etc...)

Background Information (When

was she born, where did she live,
when did she die, etc.)

Interesting Facts

American Literature I

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Step Six: How Transcendental Are You Writing

Assignment
Directions: Answer the Yes or No questions by providing your answer
(either yes or no) on the line provided.
1.) Do you enjoy going for walks that lack a destination? ______________
2.) Would you accept minimum wage working for a job that you love?
______________
3.) Do you express your opinions, even when no one agrees?
______________
4.) Will you be willing to go to jail to support a cause that you are
passionate about? ______________
Now, that you have finished answering the questions above select one of
the questions and respond to how this question personally relates to you, in
a focused, well-developed paragraph (six - eight sentences). From your
response it should be obvious which question you chose to write about. You
will be providing at least one example from your life that supports your
answer to the question. In your paragraph make sure you identify if you do or
do not identify with transcendentalist writers. You are expected to type your
answer below in the space provided. As always, use proper spelling,
grammar, and write in complete sentences. Step six requires a more
personal, opinionated input from you and will be weighted double (for a total
of 24 points).

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DePalma 11

How are you going to respond to this statement? Consider the

following:

Which question related to your lifestyle the most?

What examples from your life might best reveal your beliefs to your

audience?
Do you or do you not identify with transcendentalist writers? How?

Step Six: One Paragraph Response

Begin your response here (remember to consider the points listed above).

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DePalma 12

WebQuest Rubric
Your WebQuest will be graded based on the rubric below. Each
section will be graded individually using this rubric. Make sure
to read this rubric before submitting your WebQuest.

Use of
Internet
(Links
Provided)

Use of Time
Provided

Exceptional

Developing

Needs
Improvemen
t

Successfully uses
suggested Internet
links to find
information and
navigate the
WebQuest. Does
not consult outside
sources other than
those provided to
answer questions.
Consistently stayed
focused, remained
on-task, and
attentive
throughout the
class time.

Usually able to use

suggested Internet
links to find
information and
navigate these
sources. Rarely
consults outside
sources other than
those provided to
answer questions.
Stayed focus and
attentive
throughout most of
the class time.
Teacher must
remind this person
to remain on-task.
Work reflects a
strong effort from
this student.
Presentation
appears
thoughtful, but not
necessarily
organized. Most of
the tasks are
completed by
assigned due date.
The final body of
work had 1-2 errors
related to
grammar, spelling,
and formatting
errors. Most

Needs assistance
to use suggested
Internet links to
find information
and navigate these
sources. Consults
outside sources
other than those
provided to answer
questions.
Failed to stay focus
and attentive
throughout the
class time and/or
often distracted
others. Completed
little to no work.
Work reflects little
effort from the
student.
Presentation is
attempted, yet
lacks organization
and development.
Project is
incomplete / and or
late.

WebQuest
Task
Completion

Work reflects
students best
efforts.
Presentation
appears thoughtful
and organized.
Tasks are
completed by
assigned due date.

Grammar,
Format, &
Spelling

The WebQuest is
free of grammar,
spelling, and
formatting errors.
Answers are in the
students own

The final body of

work had 3 - more
grammar, spelling,
and formatting
errors. None of the
answers are in the

American Literature I
words.

Score

DePalma 13
answers are in the
students own
words.

students own
words.

___________ / 12
Points