Penguin Books
A Teacher's Guide to the Signet Classics Edition of Walden and "Civil Disobedience" by Henry David Thoreau
According to Henry David Thoreau, every citizen must object to unjust laws. The teacher's guide to Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience" begins with a detailed essay synopsis to help readers understand Thoreau's rationale in the challenging...
Wisconsin Historical Society
Civil Disobedience
When is civil disobedience acceptable? Class members read examples of Jim Crow laws, an excerpt from Dr. Martin Luther King's "Letter from a Birmingham Jail," and a newspaper article and then consider the factors that make a law just or...
Simon & Schuster
Classroom Activities for Walden and Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau
An 11-page packet contains three activities designed for readers of Henry David Thoreau's Walden and Civil Disobedience. In one exercise, groups debate whether Thoreau would today be considered liberal or conservative. For another,...
Curated OER
Civil Disobedience
In this online interactive literature worksheet, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about Henry David Thoreau's Civil Disobedience. Students may check some of their answers on the interactive worksheet.
Curated OER
Civil Disobedience
In this online interactive philosophy quiz worksheet, students respond to 30 multiple choice questions about Thoreau's Civil Disobedience. Students may submit their answers to be scored.
Curated OER
Understanding the Theoretical Basis for Civil Disobedience
Students analyze Henry David Thoreau's 'On the Duty of Civil Disobedience' and Dr. Martin Luther King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail." For this civil disobedience lesson, students read Thoreau's essay and answer 6 questions for the...
Curated OER
H.D. Thoreau's Philosophy of Government
Pupils read an essay by H.D. Thoreau as analysis of his philosophy on government. In this Thoreau analysis lesson, students work in groups to paraphrase two of Thoreau's criteria for his beliefs about government. Pupils write a...
Museum of Tolerance
The Price of Personal Responsibility
A reading of Patrick Henry's "Speech in the Virginia Convention," Henry David Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience," and Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail" launch a discussion about the price one is willing to pay to...
Curated OER
What Do We Owe To Thoreau?
Learners use this design as an electronic reading and writing guide to Henry David Thoreau's famous essay, "On Civil Disobedience." They use activities to familiarize students with the political issues of Thoreau's time. Comprehension...
Curated OER
Henry David Thoreau's Philosophy
Students research and report on the life and times of Henry David Thoreau. In this Thoreau research lesson, students visit the given website and freewrite about Thoreau's life and home. Students work in groups to research and report on...
Annenberg Foundation
Migrant Struggle
The American Dream is a goal that many pursue, but is it truly attainable for all people? An in-depth lesson explores the plight of migrants in twentieth-century America. The resource includes a video and author biographies and...
Curated OER
Henry David Thoreau
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...
Curated OER
"Approaching Walden: From Emerson to Thoreau"
Learners 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...
Curated OER
Thoreau, Emerson, and Transcendentalism
Tackle Transcendentalist literature with these questions. This resource provides 14 essay questions that cover different works by Thoreau and Emerson. Class members may also access an online quiz on the selection using the link at the...
Curated OER
Lu Xun's Preface and "Diary of a Madman"
Twelfth graders examine two pieces by Lu Xun to show his importance as a revolutionary of 20th Century Chinese society and literature. They explain the aspects of Lu Xun's life. They summarize "Diary of a Madman" for form and content....
Curated OER
Living Thoreau As A Means Of Approaching Walden
Students investigate the essays and life of Thoreau in order to appreciate his point of view and understand his way of thinking. They participate in various activities and writing assignments to gain a similar perspective. Students write...
Eserver
E Server: The Thoreau Reader: "Civil Disobedience" by Thoreau
This site provides the full text of Thoreau's essay, "Civil Disobedience," in three parts. Content also includes a brief background as to how Thoreau wrote this essay and links to related sites.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Three Principles of Civil Disobedience
Both Mahatmas Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. were influenced by Henry David Thoreau's essay, "Civil Disobedience." Have students research and read, using the Internet, the first part of Thoreau's essay. Then have students write an...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: America in Class: Thoreau's Critique of Democracy in "Civil Disobedience"
National Humanities Center lesson explores the criticisms Thoreau makes about a representative democracy form of government. Lesson includes interactive assignments, teacher notes, strategies for Close reading, follow-up and vocabulary.
CommonLit
Common Lit: Excerpt From "Civil Disobedience"
A learning module that begins with Henry David Thoreau's "Excerpt from 'Civil Disobedience'" accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Henry David Thoreau: Civil Disobedience: 1848
Thoreau's essay that calls for citizens to break unjust laws, particularly those promoting the continuation and expansion of slavery.
Other
History of Massachusetts: Henry Thoreau Arrested for Nonpayment of Poll Tax
Henry Thoreau left a legacy for people to listen to and defend their consciences. He felt strongly against taxes and avoided as many as possible, but could not escape the poll tax. This is a concise publication identifying Thoreau's...
Other
Basic Readings in u.s. Democracy: Henry David Thoreau
This website provides historical background to the political events of the time Thoreau wrote "Civil Disobedience." It also includes background information about Thoreau and the text of Thoreau's essay.
Eserver
E Server: The Thoreau Reader: Introduction to the Works of Thoreau
An excellent article detailing the major events of the life and works of Henry David Thoreau. Complete with links to Thoreau's most famous works and interesting details about his life.