Ralph Ellison Lesson Plans

Students analyze the impact of jazz on the novel, "Invisible Man," by Ralph Ellison. They read and discuss excerpts of the novel, write an essay on the influence of jazz on Ralph Ellison as a writer, and view video excerpts on jazz history.

Students read and analyze the novel, "The Invisible Man," by Ralph Ellison. They participate in class discussions, write an essay, and in small groups create a multimedia essay on a group that they consider socially "invisible."

High schoolers will learn to appreciate the civil rights movement with a focus on Little Rock, Arkansas. They will also acknowledge Louis Armstrong's unparalleled contributions to American music.

A preponderance of African American cultural expressions in the first half of the 20th century focus on the oppressive conditions of the Jim Crow South, attempts to escape this climate by migrating North, and myth versus reality of life in the North. Thes

Students investigate racial inequality and prejudice in American history through the words of Langston Hughes, an American black poet. They develop and share thoughtful collages and presentations inspired by the words of Langston Hughes.

Eleventh graders, after finishing the novel, Invisible Man, and reading the biography on Ellison's life, pick from one of the three offered reviews. After reading the reviews, they complete the writing exercise(s) that follows each review.

Learners view various pieces of art and sculptures which demonstrates people who are marginalized and invisible. While viewing the art, they are read excerpts of different pieces of literature in which they determine why the author or artists wrote or created for what purpose. To end the instructional activity, they choose one group in America they feel has been invisible and create their own piece of art.

Students examine autobiographies and biographies through a series of reading and writing exercises. By writing journals during this semester-long course, they improve writing skills and discover their own voice. Among other activities, students complete interview sheets, evaluate social problems, present photographs to the class and explain their importance.

Each student or student team creates a web page. Students research and make decisions for content of the page. Each web page should contain at least six images and six links, as well as any necessary commentary. Students indicate on the web page its purpose and school's email address.

Eleventh graders participate in a debate about whether Zora Neale Hurston is a traitor to her race. They also write a five-paragraph essay in which they try to convince the reader that Hurston's method during Jim Crow was a good one.