Transcendentalism Unit: Fun Activities + Guided Readings for Emerson, Thoreau

Exciting as a field of fireflies, this Transcendentalism Unit Plan will engage your high school students and make lesson planning a breeze. With guided readings, fun activities, and real-world connections, you’ll have all the resources you need to teach Transcendentalists like Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Margert Fuller, and more!

This comprehensive unit plan is designed to bring the works of Transcendentalists to life in your English classroom. Each lesson includes hook ideas, close reading resources, and after reading activities to make sure students are equipped for the challenge of reading Transcendental texts while having FUN in the process. 

Here are the engagement and comprehension tools you’ll receive: 

• Transcendentalism Introduction Stations

• Transcendentalism Tracker Booklet

• Nature by Emerson Close Reading

• Self-Reliance Anticipation Star Activity

• Self-Reliance by Emerson Close Reading

• Walden Economy by Thoreau Close Reading

• Tiny House Transcendentalists Activity

• Dream Home Prompt

• Walden Where I Lived and What I Lived for by Thoreau Close Reading

• Walden Seasons by Thoreau Jigsaw Reading

• Walden Conclusion by Thoreau Close Reading

• Civil Disobedience by Thoreau Close Reading

• Digital Hidden Picture Review (with paper substitute) 

• Transcendentalism Podcast Pairing

• Transcendentalism Project Choices 

• Transcendentalism Essay Choices

• Transcendentalism Test (35 multiple choice questions) 

Now let's dive into the details. To set the tone, students will rotate through Transcendentalism Introduction Stations to spark their curiosity and build context. As an optional bonus, students can also set up their Transcendentalism Tracker which is part nature journal, part activity booklet, and a whole lot of text-to-self connection making. 

Next, we have close reading activities for Nature and Self-Reliance by Emerson and Walden and Civil Disobedience by Thoreau. These activities will not only enhance students' reading comprehension but also spark critical thinking and reflection.

You’ll also receive creative activities, such as the Tiny House Transcendentalists and the Dream Home Prompt, to bring the Transcendentalist philosophy into the modern world and make it relatable to your students' lives. 

And for all you tech-savvy educators, this unit not only offers digital versions of all the resources, but it also includes a Digital Hidden Picture Review, a Transcendentalism Podcast Pairing, and a Transcendentalism Game Prompt, giving your students the chance to use technology to explore and deepen their understanding of Transcendentalism. 

But this unit doesn’t stop there. You’ll end your unit on a meaningful note with Transcendentalism project choices, essay choices, and a culminating test to assess growth! 

Need more assurance? Here’s what English teachers like you are saying: 

❤️ Wow. This is a beautiful resource to use when teaching transcendentalism. I loved the insightful questions and beautiful journal prompts that accompany this unit. There were so many useful things in this unit I was able to use while teaching transcendentalism.

❤️ My students LOVED working through the Transcendentalism booklet. It was so well organized, and Ashley does an amazing job with teacher instructions too. This made my life at the end of the year bearable when I had not much left to give. I would buy every resource Ashley has ever made!

❤️ Both my students and I LOVED this unit! It was so fun and engaging. I will definitely use it again. It was absolutely wonderful and very detailed.

Here's more you can count on:

✅Everything is editable to fit your needs!
✅ Everything can be used digitally or in print!
✅ Answer keys are included!

Ready to make teaching Transcendentalism easier and a lot more fun?  Bring it to life in your classroom with this Transcendentalism Unit Plan. Your students will thank you for it, and you'll feel energized by their engagement. Get your unit plan today and watch your students embrace the Transcendentalist spirit!