Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Masculine Heroes

For Teachers 6th - 12th
What were the driving forces behind American expansion in the nineteenth century, and what were its effects? Scholars watch a video, read biographies, engage in discussion, write journals and poetry, draw, and create a multimedia...
Unit Plan
Ms. Effie's Lifesavers

Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man in the Spotlight

For Students 11th - 12th Standards
Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man is the most frequently cited novel for the Advanced Placement Literature and Composition Open Response Question. Those new to using the book and and veterans as well will find the teaching strategies, the...
Unit Plan
Boston University

South African Short Stories: Apartheid, Civil Rights, and You

For Teachers 10th Standards
How are short stories from South Africa connected to issues of civil rights in the United States? A unit plan uses South African short stories to discuss issues such as apartheid, colonization, and civil rights. Questions and activities...
Unit Plan
Curated OER

Celebrating Women: Toni Morrison

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students research Toni Morrison's life, work as a writer, and major contributions to the field of literature; students choose one of her novels to read, & perform a scene from it; each group member writes an autobiographical essay...
Unit Plan
Oklahoma City of Museum Art

Harlem Renaissance

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Individuals expressed the Harlem Renaissance in diverse forms of art, ranging from poetry to photography to painting. Learners explore pieces using a carefully curated collection from the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. Included lessons ask...
Unit Plan
Curated OER

Six Trait Writing with Jack Prelutsky and the Brothers Grimm

For Teachers K
Students identify and discuss six traits of writing and complete some beginning drawing and writing utilizing the traits. Six lessons on one page.
Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs: Literature & Life Givens Collection (Afr. Am. Lit)

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This PBS site explores African-American literature from its beginnings to the present. Includes an on-line study guide.
Unit Plan
African American Literature Book Club

African American Literature Book Club: Zora Neale Hurston

For Students 9th - 10th
This site focuses on Zora Neale Hurston including a bibliography, the video [2:30] "Zora Neale Hurston: Jump at the Sun" and links to 11 of her books including her most famous work There Eyes Were Watching God.
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
Georgia Department of Education

Ga Virtual Learning: American Literature and Composition: Realism: Spirituals

For Students 9th - 10th
This lesson focuses on the spirituals sung by the African American slaves as a way to express feeling and relay information in coded messages. as well as, to pass the time. It includes a PDF of the lyrics to two spirituals, "Go Down,...
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Becoming Visible: James Baldwin

For Students 9th - 10th
James Baldwin is presented in this biography as a great African American contributor to the literary world during the civil rights movement. See "James Baldwin Activities" for more information.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Becoming Visible: Gwendolyn Brooks

For Students 9th - 10th
Writer Gwendolyn Brooks is presented in this biography for her contributions to African American literature. Click on "Gwendolyn Brooks Activities" for related artifacts and activities.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Becoming Visible: Ralph Ellison

For Students 9th - 10th
Author Ralph Ellison is presented in this biography for his contributions to African American literature. See "Ralph Ellison Activities" for further information.
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.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Southern Renaissance: Zora Neale Hurston

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Zora Neale Hurston is featured in this biography highlighting her literary contributions which focused on African Americans as whole people, celebrating their heritage, in an era when black authors tended to write about their...
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Spirit of Nationalism: Phillis Wheatley

For Students 9th - 10th
Phillis Wheatley, an African-American slave, is featured for her neoclassical poetry of pre-nineteenth century America. Click on "Phillis Wheatley Activities" for more resources.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Regional Realism: Charles W. Chesnutt

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource focuses on realist author Charles W. Chesnutt and his manner of portraying African American characters in the South during the late nineteenth century. See "Charles W. Chesnutt Activities" for related resources.
Unit Plan
Georgia Department of Education

Ga Virtual Learning: 10th Grade Literature and Composition: Traditions

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a unit on the traditional wisdom of various cultures handed down through fables, fairy tales, folklore, and proverbs. It includes readings from Aesop's Fables, African and African-American Folktales, Hans Christian Andersen's...
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: The Search for Identity: Toni Cade Bambara

For Students 9th - 10th
Toni Cade Bambara is featured in this brief biography for her ability to combine and advocate for both feminism and black minorities through her literature. See "Toni Cade Bambara Activities" for related resources.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: The Search for Identity: Alice Walker

For Students 9th - 10th
Alice Walker is highlighted in this brief biography for her acclaimed contributions to literature, relating the struggles and triumphs of African Americans throughout history. Click on "Alice Walker Activities" for related materials.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Rhythms in Poetry: Jean Toomer

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a brief biography of Jean Toomer, an African American author of poetry and short stories, published in many magazines in the early twentieth century. Click on "Jean Toomer Activities" for related materials.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Rhythms in Poetry: Langston Hughes

For Students 9th - 10th
Poet laureate Langston Hughes is featured in this brief biography highlighting his vast collection of writings, particularly his poetry, which drew upon racial and self awareness in America. See "Langston Hughes Activities" for related...
Unit Plan
McGraw Hill

Glencoe Literature: "Sounder" Study Guide [Pdf]

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Teachers can share the award-winning young adult novel "Sounder" with their students through the use of this 40 page study guide. "Sounder", by African American author William H. Armstrong, is about a young boy in the American South who...
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Regional Realism: Joel Chandler Harris

For Students 9th - 10th
Creator of Uncle Remus and other African American folklore tales, journalist Joel Chandler Harris is featured as a revolutionary writer regarding oppression and prejudices. For more resources click the "Joel Chandler Harris Activities" tab.