Walden Padlet by

Mr. B's 11th Grade Lit: Walden

jbohnert24 — 2025-10-11 17:16:58 UTC

Standards: Reading Literature

RL.11-12.4: Determine the connotative, denotative, and figurative meaning of

words and phrases as they are used in the text; analyze the impact of author’s

diction, including multiple-meaning words or language that is particularly

evocative to the tone and mood of the text.

Knowledge Retrieval (Remembering)

jbohnert24 — 2025-10-12 17:21:57 UTC

Students will use Quizlet to match key vocabulary and literary devices from Walden with their definitions.

Comprehension (Understanding)

jbohnert24 — 2025-10-12 17:55:17 UTC

Students sign up/login to Perusall, join Mr. B's Lit Club, and collaboratively annotate a chosen passage from Walden. You must highlight and comment on words with strong connotations, explaining why Thoreau chose that specific word and what feeling or idea it evokes. You must also reply to at least one classmates' annotations.

Execution (Applying)

jbohnert24 — 2025-10-12 18:20:30 UTC

Students choose a powerful, concise quote from Walden and present it as a 'tweet' on a Google Slide or Canva poster. Below the quote, they must write a short, formal paragraph explaining how Thoreau's diction (word choice) and tone in that specific quote apply to a modern real-world issue (e.g., consumerism, digital distraction).

Analyzing (Breaking down)

jbohnert24 — 2025-10-12 20:11:28 UTC

Students create a shared Google Sheet or use a digital comparison chart. They select two contrasting passages in Walden (e.g., one on nature, one on society). For each passage, they list specific words, categorize their connotation (positive/negative), and analyze how the combined effect of these words creates a distinct tone (e.g., admiring vs. critical). They draw a conclusion about Thoreau's purpose in shifting his tone.

Judging (Evaluating)

jbohnert24 — 2025-10-12 20:28:10 UTC

Students record a short video response on WeVideo. They critically evaluate the impact of Thoreau's sophisticated, often formal, and sometimes archaic word choice on the modern reader. They must argue for or against the claim that Thoreau's specific language choices make his core message less accessible or, conversely, more powerful and memorable.

Creating (Synthesis, Producing)

jbohnert24 — 2025-10-12 20:39:01 UTC

Students write their own short "Manifesto of Simple Living" for the digital age, to be published on a Google Site or Blogger page. They must consciously apply Thoreau's rhetorical techniques, including a clear, elevated tone and the purposeful use of figurative language and connotative diction (RL.11-12.4) to address modern issues like digital consumption or fast fashion.