Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gandhi’s 12 Vows: Training Warriors of Non-violence

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Students examine Gandhi’s ‘Walk n Talk’ strategy. In this lesson on civil disobedience, students evaluate Gandhi’s non-violent method of satyagraha as an effective mode of revolution.      
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Different Drummer

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders investigate philosophy and meditation techniques by discussing Emerson and Thoreau.  In this philosophical traditions lesson, 8th graders identify the men Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, their work, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Great Philsophers Revisited

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students work together to research the great philsophers of literature. With a focus on Emerson or Thoreau, they describe his ideas of transcendentalism or civil disobedience, respectively. In groups, they create a short video clip to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Henry David Thoreau

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students explore the life and philosophy of Henry David Thoreau. Students watch a slide show on Henry David Thoreau. They visit a quiet, tranquil location and observe nature. After reading and discussing Thoreau's works, students create...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Popular Bully

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders investigate bullying and nonviolent ways to deal with bullies.  In this conflict management lesson, 5th graders discover the definition for the word ahimsa and examine ways to incorporate that philosophy into their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Pursuit of Truth: Comparing Roger Williams and Martin Luther King Jr.

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders compare the life and times of Roger Williams and Martin Luther King Jr. In this life comparison lesson plan, 5th graders explore the key events that happened in each of their lives and fill out worksheets, write essays, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Criticism of Modernity: Gandhi's Association with the American Transcendentalists

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders explore Gandhi's philosophy links to the works of American Transcendentalists Emerson and Thoreau. In this transcendentalism lesson, 11th graders discuss essential questions about civilization and modernity.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making the Movie Antigone

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students create a movie prospectus for Antigone being faithful to the major themes and conflict. They include the plot, setting, characters, and conflict while making them relevant to contemporary audiences.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ahimsa in Writers Workshop

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students investigate nonviolent lifestyles by researching the life of Gandhi.  In this journalism lesson, students define the word ahimsa and how important nonviolence is when solving conflicts.  Students create a timeline of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Approaching Walden: From Emerson to Thoreau"

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine selected local leaves in greater detail in the classroom by using more analytical drawing techniques. They use Thoreau's drawing of a Scarlett Oak as their model. Students choose a leave from a box of leaves removed...