Lesson Plan
Syracuse University

Harlem Renaissance

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The music and literature of the Harlem Renaissance defined American culture, including its poetry. Using a poem from the period, individuals explore its musical qualities and how it is reflective of the period. Then, they use what they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Heroes of Harlem

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Students explore the artists of the Harlem Renaissance. Their research culminates in a Harlem Renaissance Fair celebrating the movement's cultural and artistic contributions to society.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Harlem Renaissance

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students investigate the African American culture in the 1920's and the Harlem Renaissance. They read and analyze poems written by poets of the Harlem Renaissance, listen to jazz music and identify the characteristics of the music, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

1920s Variety Show

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
To better understand the cultural achievements of the Harlem Renaissance and become familiar with its major figures, class members examine a painting by Aaron Douglas and a poem by Langston Hughes and compare how the artists develop...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Harlem Renaissance: Black American Traditions

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the time period of the Harlem Renaissance. As a class, they are introduced to five artists and discuss their art and techniques. Using the internet, they also research the philosophers of the time period and how...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creative Voices of Harlem

For Teachers K - 4th
Students explore the Harlem Renaissance. In this American history lesson, students examine a poem by Langston Hughes and identify the characteristics of the Harlem Renaissance. Students research and report on a famous Harlem artist.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Visualizing Jazz Scenes From the Harlem Renaissance

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students identify themes of selected nonfiction, fiction, poetry and art to Harlem Renaissance jazz and describe the impact of jazz on African-American literature of the Harlem Renaissance
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Deep like Rivers: Four African American Poets of the 1920s and 1930s

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine work by outstanding African American poets from the time period of the 1920s and 1930s. They study aspects of American and African American social, cultural and artistic history that influenced the content of some of the...
Lesson Plan
Little Kids Rock

The Influence of Latin Music in Postwar New York City

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Music has often been called the international language that transcends cultures and regions. Scholars analyze the impact of Latin American music on New York City culture in the years following World War II. They research music, video,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Langston Hughes: Artist and Historian

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the life and works of Langston Hughes. In groups, they research the characteristics of the Harlem Renaissance and how Hughes' poems relate to the era. They use the themes in his writings and relate it to the Great...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jazz in America

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students explore the Swing Era and its implications. They answer questions and listen to music from the era.
Lesson Plan
PBS

Being Heard

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Examine the work of contemporary authors who use their writing to express opinions about the struggle against prejudice and oppression in our society. A short lesson on the Harlem Renaissance introduces learners to the most prominent...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Analyzing Photographs: From Theory to Practice

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze photographic images and use cameras to document their own life.  In this analyzing photography lesson, students apply formal analysis techniques to images, then create a documentary of photographic images with...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Modern Dance and the Harlem Renaissance

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students create an artistic rendering based on what they have learned from the film and the lesson.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Robert Henri, the Harlem Renaissance and You

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Young scholars examine the artwork of Robert Henri. Using his pieces, they compare and contrast it to the works during the Harlem Renaissance. They create a HyperStudio project showing the Ashcan School of Art with music accompanying the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Against the Odds: The Trials and Tribulations of the Harlem Renaissance

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students become familiar with the Harlem Renaissance movement. They present information gathered and discuss issues pertaining to African American art through a power point presentation as well as an oral presentation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Visual Art: Romare Bearden and Group 306

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students examine the life and art of Romare Bearden. Using his "Mill Hand's Lunch Bucket" for inspiration, they write a first chapter for a book. Students observe numerous other works of his art and discuss them from artistic and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Zora Hurston Teacher's Guide

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Learners explore American culture by reading classic literature in class. In this African-American history lesson, students read the story Zora Hurston and the Chinaberry Tree while identifying the work and contributions of the real life...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Story Quilts

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students listen to Tar Beach, by Faith Ringgold, and create story quilts.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Romare Bearden and the Face Collage

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders create a collage from magazines and newspapers to create a face. After finishing the face, they use mixed media to complete the background. They write their own description and examine the life and works of Romare Beardon.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Louis Armstrong

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
In this reading comprehension worksheet students read a biography of jazz musician Louis Armstrong. Students answer 6 questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Murals, Memories, and Making Art

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine the life and works of famous artists. Using the internet, they take notes and present their information to the class in an oral presentation. They create their own original artwork in the same style of their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Murals, Memories, and Making Art

For Teachers 4th
Fourth grade reading students study art works by famous artists. They use various tools for learning about the artist, and they present their information by writing and speaking about the artist. They also create artwork in the style of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Romare Bearden

For Teachers K - 12th
Students examine and discuss a collage by the artist Romare Bearden. They analyze the impact of jazz on art, listen to jazz, and create an original collage.