My Hero Project
My Hero: Paul Laurence Dunbar
Use this resource to learn about what makes African-American writer, Paul Laurence Dunbar, heroic in the eyes of others. This article includes information on his life and poetry, as well as "related links" to further related information.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Alice Walker
Biographical information on American writer Alice Walker whose novels, short stories, and poems are noted for their insightful treatment of African-American culture. Her novels, most notably The Color Purple (1982), focus particularly on...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Henry Dumas
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Henry Dumas, an African-American author of poetry and fiction who wrote about the clash between black and white cultures.
University of Washington
Best Site on Colleen Mc Elroy
This site is from the University of Washington, where McElroy is a professor. It has biographical information, a list of her works, and other details about the writer.
ibiblio
Ibiblio: Margaret Walker
This is a site devoted to the life and times of the African American poet Margaret Walker. Among the numerous links found on the page are links to full texts of 16 poems, questions from an audience, a panel's discussion of her poetry, a...
Academy of American Poets
Poets.org: Reading Guide to Langston Hughes
This guide discusses Langston Hughes's body of poetry, as well as briefly analyzing characteristics in several individual poems. The site also offers an interview with writer Afaa Weaver regarding Hughes's works, discussion questions, a...
Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors: Web English Teacher: Paul Laurence Dunbar
This Web English Teacher site compiled links to learn more about Paul Laurence Dunbar's work. Explore this informative resource to learn more about his poetry and life.
New York Public Library
In Motion Magazine: In Praise of Toni Cade Bambara
A short essay and poem written in Bambara's honor after her death.
Academy of American Poets
Poets.org: Tracy K. Smith
A short biography of Tracy K. Smith, the 2017 U.S. Poet Laureate. Includes links to her poems and a video of Tracy K. Smith reading some of her poems. [5:30]
New York Times
New York Times: Helene Johnson, Poet of Harlem, 89, Dies
[Free Registration/Login Required] An obituary for Helene Johnson, a famous Harlem Renaissance poet. Includes quotations from some of her poems.
Library of Congress
Loc: Librarian of Congress Names Tracy K. Smith Poet Laureate
A profile of Tracy K. Smith, the poet chosen by the Library of Congress to be the 22nd Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry for 2017-2018, otherwise known as the U.S. Poet Laureate. Published June 14, 2017.
Yale University
Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: How to Blues
This site has ten lessons to teach about the blues in which students learn the geography, historical events and performers associated with the blues. The unit has been recognized by the American Music Education Initiative as one of the...
CommonLit
Common Lit: "Fastest Woman in the World" by Pat Parker
A learning module that begins with the poem "Fastest Woman in the World" by Pat Parker, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online through...
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Langston Hughes
A concise window into the world of Langston Hughes. He used his own life experiences to write poetry. Photographs help to engage the reader.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Langston Hughes
A concise window into the world of Langston Hughes. He used his own life experiences to write poetry. Photographs help to engage the reader.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: A Harlem Renaissance Retrospective
In this activity, 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.
Other
Lesson Plan: Writing a Haiku
Check out this lesson on haiku that includes samples by Richard Wright. Students and teachers will benefit from this educational tool.
Other
Database of Award Winning Children's Literature
This is a phenomenal resource. It allows the user to create a reading list of quality children's literature based of choices such as reading level, type of book, genre, ethnicity, gender, etc. In addition, one can determine if a book won...
University at Buffalo
University at Buffalo: Jean Toomer Unpublished Works
You can see the texts of unpublished works at this site.
Library of Congress
Loc: A Voice of Her Own: Phillis Wheatley
The Library of Congress series biography of Phillis Wheatley also includes links to her selected writings.
University of Virginia
University of Virginia: Electronic Text Center: The Modern English Collection
This collection contains fiction, non-fiction, poetry, drama, letters, newspapers, manuscripts, and illustrations from 1500 to the present, arranged for browsing by author's last name or by category of interest. It contains classics such...
University at Buffalo
University at Buffalo: Derek Walcott
This site, created by a University of Buffalo math professor with a deep interest in African American and Caribbean writing, gives four poems by Walcott an audio of him speaking, and a biography and bibliography.
Curated OER
Phillis Wheatley: Life and Poems
Biographical note about the 18th century African American poet Phillis Wheatley.
Yale University
Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: Influence of Folk
This site, which explores the influence of musical folk traditions in the poetry of Langston Hughes and Nicolas Guillen, provides lesson plans, a biography, examples of Hughes' poetry, and details about his meeting with Nicolas Guillen.
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