Start-Up – Partner Talk With your VERTICAL partner, discuss the following question: What does it mean to be self – reliant or to rely on yourself? In what ways do you feel you are self reliant? In what ways do you still depend on others? What do you think are some of the benefits of being self reliant?

Start-Up – Writing Now write about it. What does it mean to be self – reliant or to rely on yourself? In what ways do you feel you are self reliant? In what ways do you still depend on others? What do you think are some of the benefits of being self reliant?

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.2 Today’s Objective By the end of the period, students will be able to identify the transcendentalist beliefs related in Emerson’s essay, Self Reliance. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.2 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.4 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.9

Ralph Waldo Emerson 1803-1882 In the 1830s Emerson gave lectures that he afterward published in essay form and became known as the central figure of his literary and philosophical group, now known as the American Transcendentalists. These writers shared a key belief that each individual could transcend, or move beyond, the physical world of the senses into deeper spiritual experience through free will and intuition. He published two volumes of essays in 1841 and 1844. Some of the essays, including “Self-Reliance,” “Friendship” and “Experience,” number among his best-known works.

Self-Reliance Today we are going to read Emerson’s piece titled “Self Reliance” and then discuss his ideas. If you get confused at any point remember the basic beliefs of the all the Transcendentalists

Transcendentalism Celebration of self, the individual – Be a nonconformist Celebration of what makes us uniquely American Glorifies Nature Transcendence – leave the physical body and become one with the universe – for knowledge, for self exploration, for inner peace Self- Reliance Confidence in your self Free Thought – speak your mind, express your ideas regardless of others opinions

Class Reading As we read/listen to the reading of Emerson’s essay, highlight or underline anything you see in the text that you think reflects the beliefs of the American Transcendentalists.

Self-Reliance – Discussion 11/6/14 What does Emerson mean when he writes “envy is ignorance… imitation is suicide” Why, according to Emerson should people trust themselves? How does Emerson describe society? How does Emerson feel about conformity? What is Emerson’s comment about consistency?

Complete pages 77-80 in your Interactive Reader. Homework Complete pages 77-80 in your Interactive Reader. (All questions, the chart on 79, and the work on 80) Due Tomorrow!

Exit Ticket How do you think society today would react to Emerson’s views on nonconformity? How do you think your teachers and administrators at MHS would react? Why?

Start-Up – Class Discussion Think about the ideas presented in Emerson’s essay from yesterday’s reading. Which idea or ideas stuck with you the strongest? Why? Did you find yourself agreeing or disagreeing with Emerson’s ideas?

Start-Up - Writing Choose one line or phrase from Emerson’s essay with which you either strongly agree or strongly disagree. Write it in your folder. Now write about why you either agree or disagree.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.2 Today’s Objective By the end of the period, students will be able to identify the transcendentalist beliefs related in Emerson’s poem, “Self Reliance.” They will also compare the content of the poem with that of the essay of the same name. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.2 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.4 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.9

Self-Reliance – The Poem The essays, including “Self Reliance,” were published in 1841. Some of the ideas included in those essays date back as far as 1832, where they were found in Emerson’s journals, and lectures he delivered from 1836-1839. The poem, in the form we will see today, actually came from two separate journal entries; as seen in the text itself, from 1832 and 1833.

Group Reading In your groups, complete a read around of the poem “Self Reliance” by Emerson, each person reading a stanza. As you read/listen, highlight any words or phrases that seem similar to the ideas we discussed in the essay yesterday.

BE PREPARED TO SHARE WITH THE WHOLE CLASS Group Discussion Now take a few minutes, in your groups, to share with one another the things you highlighted in the poem. Discuss why you highlighted them and how you think they relate to the essay and to the beliefs of the American Transcendentalists. BE PREPARED TO SHARE WITH THE WHOLE CLASS

Independent Work In no less than two complete paragraphs, you will write a comparison of “Self-Reliance” the essay and “Self-Reliance” the poem.

Consider the following as you write: DUE BY THE END OF THE PERIOD Independent Work Consider the following as you write: How are the ideas in the poem and the essay similar? Are there any differences? How does changing the structure of the writing affect the impact made by the writing? Which has more impact on you personally, the essay or the poem, and why do you think that is? DUE BY THE END OF THE PERIOD

Exit Ticket Would you consider yourself a conformist or a nonconformist? Why? What evidence is there in the way you live that would support your answer?