Unit Plan
Georgia Department of Education

Ga Virtual Learning: American Literature and Composition: The Harlem Renaissance

For Students 9th - 10th
This lesson is an introduction to a unit on The Harlem Renaissance, the period between the end of WW I through mid 1930s when African Americans were recognized for their literature, music, and art. It discusses their themes and lists...
Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: "The Harlem Renaissance" by Jessica Mc Birney

For Students 7th - 8th
A learning module that begins with "The Harlem Renaissance" by Jessica McBirney, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online through free...
Website
University at Buffalo

Circle Association: Harlem Renaissance History and Links

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource from the Circle Association at the University of Buffalo gives background on the origins of the Harlem Renaissance and highlights its most famous authors.
Lesson Plan
ReadWriteThink

Read Write Think: A Harlem Renaissance Retrospective

For Teachers 9th - 10th
For this lesson, students work in collaborative groups to conduct Internet research and create a museum exhibit that highlights the work of selected artists, musicians, and poets of the Harlem Renaissance.
Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Guide to Black History: Harlem Renaissance

For Students 9th - 10th
Extensive information about the Harlem Renaissance, a period of time considered to be the cultural awakening of African Americans. Included are sections on poetry, fiction, and drama, as well as the legacy of this movement.
Graphic
Other

Rhapsodies in Black: Art of the Harlem Renaissance

For Students 9th - 10th
An online exhibit of representative art from the Harlem Renaissance.
Website
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: What Was the Harlem Renaissance?

For Students 9th - 10th
Professor Kate Rushin describes the Harlem Renaissance as a large social and cultural movement fueled by many factors in this video from A Walk Through Harlem.
Article
Other

Oxford University Press: Harlem Renaissance [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
An essay detailing the artistry of the Harlem Renaissance period as demonstrated in the poetry and writings derived from New York City in the 1920s.
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Web Guides: A Guide to Harlem Renaissance Materials

For Students 9th - 10th
Presents the Library's resources as well as links to external web sites on the Harlem Renaissance, and a bibliography.
Activity
PBS

Pbs: Masterpiece Theatre: The Harlem Renaissance

For Students 9th - 10th
A review of the writers and artistry during the Harlem Renaissance by Masterpiece Theater. With links to Langston Hughes and a teacher's guide to watching the film "Cora Unashamed".
Handout
PBS

Pbs: American Novel: Literary Timeline: Literary Movements: Harlem Renaissance

For Students 9th - 10th
History of the Harlem Renaissance, including information on prominent writers of the time period.
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Harlem Renaissance Authors

For Teachers 9th - 10th
As part of a study of the Harlem Renaissance, students will do research on a Harlem Renaissance author. Individually, students will use websites to gain information about the author and the author's impact in literature and society....
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Harlem Renaissance Unit

For Teachers 6th - 8th
This unit on the history and contribution of the Harlem Renaissance combines research and creative presentations in the form of slideshows, a timeline, and desktop publishing.
Activity
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Claude Mc Kay's Life

For Students 9th - 10th
A concise and in-depth biography of the American poet known as Claude McKay (1890-1948 CE). McKay was one of the key members of The Harlem Renaissance Movement.
Handout
Art Cyclopedia

Artcyclopedia: The Harlem Renaissance

For Students 9th - 10th
This site has a list of fifteen artists from the movement with links to images in various museums.
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Extra! Extra! Harlem Renaissance Tribune

For Teachers 6th - 8th
From writing with Langston Hughes to dancing with Bojangles, explore 1920-30 Harlem and publish a newspaper about the arts and entertainment of this cultural renaissance that brought new energy and sound to the world.
Website
Academy of American Poets

Poets.org: A Brief Guide to the Harlem Renaissance

For Students 9th - 10th
Concise explanation of the term "Harlem Renaissance," largely as it applies to poetry. It discusses the movement's origins and some of its major figures.
Activity
Library of Congress

Loc: African American Odyssey: Harlem Renaissance and the Flowering of Creativity

For Students 9th - 10th
A description of the African-American literary and musical boom known as the Harlem Renaissance after World War I and before World War II. Profiles some of the prominent figures involved in the movement.
Activity
Smithsonian Institution

Anacostia Museum: The Renaissance: Black Art of the Twenties

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides an informative description of the "Black Arts of the Twenties," which was better known as the Harlem Renaissance. Learn about the culture, art, music, and writings of this period.
Unit Plan
PBS

Literature & Life: Renaissance

For Students 9th - 10th
Some of the African-American writers and poets who were prominent in the early part of the twentieth century are featured on this page. They were important voices during what became known as the 'black Renaissance'. Here, you can listen...
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Rhythms in Poetry: Claude Mc Kay

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a succinct biography of Claude McKay, infamous Harlem Renaissance poet who expressed the need for the African American community in America to speak out against racism. See "Claude McKay Activities" for related materials.
Handout
National Women’s History Museum

National Women's History Museum: Anne Spencer

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the life and works of Harlem Renaissance poet Anne Spencer who lived her entire life in Virginia and fought for equal rights for African Americans.
eBook
OpenStax

Open Stax: The Jazz Age: Redefining the Nation 1919 1929: A New Generation

For Students 11th - 12th
Looks at the new morality that emerged in the 1920s. It changed the role of women and the perception of African Americans, the latter facilitated by the Harlem Renaissance and its impact on the music and dance of the Jazz Age. Also...
Website
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Southern Road and the "New Negro Renaissance"

For Students 9th - 10th
Great research site! Gives passages from many of the works of the authors of this era. Well-written overview.