Annenberg Foundation
Spirit of Nationalism
What were the virtues and values that helped form America? Pupils watch and discuss a video, read biographies of early Americans, chart the differences between early American religious movements, write journals and letters, draw, and...
Curated OER
Poet James Whitcomb Riley: Famous in His Own Day
An engaging biography of "Hoosier" poet James Whitcomb Riley serves as a springboard for study of his unique dialect-based verse. Several activities illuminate differences between spoken vernacular and formal language. Learners record...
Crafting Freedom
George Moses Horton: Slavery from a Poet's Perspective
Pupils have the unique opportunity to learn about the institution of slavery by reading first-hand experiences as described by George Moses Horton, the first slave to publish anti-slavery poetry.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Frances Ellen Watkins Harper’s “Learning to Read”
Frances Ellen Watkins Harper's poem "Learning to Read" is the focus of a lesson that teaches middle schoolers how to do a close reading of a text. The lesson introduces them to a brief biography of the poet, includes a video reading, and...
Curated OER
Investigating the Harlem Renaissance
The work of Langston Hughes opens the door to research into the origin and legacy of the Harlem Renaissance and how the literature of the period can be viewed as a commentary on race relations in America. In addition, groups are assigned...
Curated OER
Jean Fritz's American History Series
Students explore children's literature by reading biographies in class. In this history analysis lesson, students read books written by Jean Fritz about the Revolutionary War and discuss the events that led up to the critical moment....
Curated OER
Contributions of Immigrants
Students identify the contributions of immigrants to America. They analyze the value of these contributions as well. They discuss how these contributions affect other's personal perspectives of immigrants.
Curated OER
Appreciating Our American Heritage
Eleventh graders learn about the Chinese culture and how important they feel their heritage and culture are, and to help the American students develop a pride in their own culture as well.
Curated OER
Revolutions in Latin America: Bolivar, 1813-1814
Students compare the leadership skills of Washington and Bolivar. In this Latin American history lesson, students read biographical information about George Washington and Simon Bolivar. Students compare the men to better understand the...
Curated OER
Isabel Allende
In this famous leaders activity, students read a passage about Isabel Allende and then complete a variety of in-class and homework activities to support comprehension, including partner interviews, spelling, cloze, synonym...
Curated OER
Carl Sandburg's "Chicago": Bringing a Great City Alive
Students examine the historical and cultural context in Sandburg's poem. The poetic devices of personification and apostrophe are utilized in the poem and identified by Students.
Curated OER
Peace and Perspective through Poetry: The Dream of Peace in the Middle East
Middle schoolers use poetry to understand conflict in the Middle East. In this poetry instructional activity, students read persona poems and use the poetry and a novel as mentor text to guide their own poem about peace in the...
Curated OER
Rev. Joseph Lowery: What Makes a Civil Rights Leader?
Students examine the attributes of civil rights leaders. In this Civil Rights Movement lesson, students design "body biographies" of selected civil rights leaders after they have conducted research and discussed the qualities of leaders.
Curated OER
The Early Suffragists
Students research early suffragists in an effort to find the most influential leader of the movement. They give presentations and the class chooses a winner. They write letters to the postmaster suggesting they be placed on a stamp.
Curated OER
Inside The Harlem Renaissance
Students explore the Harlem Renaissance to discover where, when, and why it took place and who was associated with the experience. They decide what are the most informative facts, interesting people, and events in this lesson plan.
Academy of American Poets
Poets.org: Countee Cullen
This site has a biography on the poet Countee Cullen (1903-1946 CE). Includes a photograph and a selected bibliography.
Other
Dictionary of Unitarian and Universalist Biography: Julia Ward Howe
Extensive profile of the life of American poet and reformer, Julia Ward Howe (1819-1910). She is best remembered as the author of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic."
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: 300 Women Who Changed History: Phillis Wheatley
Encyclopedia Britannica provides a brief biography of Phillis Wheatley (1753-1784 CE), the first African-American to have a book of poetry published.
University of Groningen
American History: Biographies: Abraham Baldwin 1754 1807
Baldwin was born at Guilford, Conn., in 1754, the second son of a blacksmith who fathered 12 children by 2 wives. Besides Abraham, several of the family attained distinction. His sister Ruth married the poet and diplomat Joel Barlow, and...
Black Past
Black Past: Hughes, Langston
This encyclopedia article is a brief biography of Langston Hughes, the influential poet during the Harlem Renaissance.
University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas: Americo Paredes 1915 1999
Students of Paredes music and folklore can find his biography, a bibliography, photos, works, and newsclips of this Mexican American folklorist, teacher, writer, poet, and musician.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: George Moses Horton
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features George Moses Horton, an African American poet who wrote sentimental love poems and antislavery protests. He was one of the first professional black writers in America.
Other
Poems and Biography: Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 1882)
A brief biography on Emerson accompanied by links to the text to many of his poems.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Carolyn M. Rodgers
Learn about the life of Carolyn Rodgers, an American poet, teacher, critic, and publisher who is noted for a body of work that deepened and extended beyond the Black Arts movement in which she found her voice.