Lesson Plan
PBS

Henry David Thoreau: Author, Philosopher, and Abolitionist

For Teachers 3rd - 7th Standards
What would Henry David Thoreau think of life in 21st-Century America? Pupils investigate the abolitionist using primary and secondary materials. They analyze what Thoreau would think of the changes to American lifestyles since the time...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Legacy of Emerson and Thoreau

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders are introduced to Transcendentalism through the writing of Emerson and Thoreau. They keep a journal in which they respond to quotes and prompts. Students write longer essays on conformity, being alone and a "field...
Unit Plan
Walden Woods Project

19th Century Lessons for 21st Century Lives

For Teachers 10th - 12th Standards
The words of Henry David Thoreau on Civil Disobedience seem particularly relevant today, as are his writings and those of other transcendental thinkers who ask what it mean to live deliberately and what are the responsibilities of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Thoreau Look at Our Environment

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders write journal entries o school site at least once during each season, including sketched and written observations of present environment. They can use sample topographical maps and student's own maps. Students can use...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Thoreau

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders answer the question Why Westborough? Why did their town develop as it did, what types of industry were here and why. They are introduced to journal writing. Students free write about ideas that stand out from class. ...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Abolitionists in U.S. History

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read and discuss excerpts from the writings of Henry David Thoreau, Frederick Douglass and Sarah Parker Redmond. They compare and contrast the views of the three abolitionists concentrating on the experiences and reasons for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

INDUSTRY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders create a final project called Industry X (which was previously researched in the unit) has plans to build in town. There is a special town meeting scheduled to discuss this matter and allow everyone to express their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Transcendentalism and Buddhism:

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars study American transcendentalism through readings of Emerson and Thoreau. They make cognitive connections to the similarities to Buddhism in these writings. The connection of the literary movement is explained in the art...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Anonymous Patriots: Songs of the Revolution

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Give your class a deeper understanding of the context and meaning behind early American song lyrics. By reading the lyrics to "Yankee Doodle" and  "Revolutionary Tea," high schoolers will practice analysis by examining the...
Website
Other

Blupete: Thoughts on Thoreau and "Walden"

For Students 9th - 10th
This site presents a summary of each chapter of Thoreau's book "Walden" along with some quotes from each chapter of the book and commentary by Peter Landry.
Website
Authors Calendar

Author's Calendar: Henry Thoreau

For Students 9th - 10th
A nice biography on Henry David Thoreau's life, centering mostly on his literary skills.
Website
Digital History

Digital History: American Transcendentalism

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed look at the philosophy behind American Transcendalism, and a discussion of many of those who practiced it.