Project Introduction
Where’s Walden students explored New England’s rich history of literature inspired by nature: from the close relationships with the land held by the Abenaki and other indigenous groups, to Transcendentalist writers like Henry David Thoreau and Walt Whitman, to contemporary authors like Robin Wall Kimmerer. We also looked at New England’s history or naturalism and analyzed some of the art that has been inspired by the New England landscape.
One of the priorities of this class was to spend time outside. While we spent a lot of time journaling in the woods, the most memorable piece of the class was a two-night, three-day backpacking trip on the Long Trail. While backpacking, we kept journals and took photos to record our experience. Students were then invited to write a short story, poem, or nonfiction essay based on an experience in nature, from either our on-trail experience of elsewhere. All of these works have been compiled into a literary journal, along with student artwork and photography.
Grade Level
High School (9-12)
Content Area(s)
English Language Arts, Social Studies
Graduation Expectation
Creativity: Use creative expression to communicate and share
Driving Questions
How does nature influence art and literature?
How can we reflect on and interpret our own experiences to make creative work?
Instructors
Anthony Christiano and Alexandra Modica
Artifacts
Long Trail Hike
On Wednesday, September 28th, a group of fifteen students left for the woods. On the first day, we hiked two and a half miles up the Appalachian Gap to Stark’s Nest, a shelter where we set up camp, cooked, ate, hung out, and slept. It was a short but hard first day because of the rocky terrain, rainy weather, and 2,100 feet of elevation gain.
After a night at the shelter, we hiked a total of thirteen miles, walking from Stark’s Nest to Mount Abraham and back. The group split into three groups based on their rhythm and speed. By the time they got back to camp, everyone was exhausted from the long day. They ended their day by watching the sunset and stargazing, and the next day woke up early to catch the sunrise. After appreciating the spectacular view for the last time, the group packed up and hiked back down the mountain.
