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...

Introduce your seventh graders to the Harlem Renaissance with a unit that explores this dynamic period's music, literature, and ideas. The 160-page guide includes a unit calendar, an introduction to the unit, 10 richly detailed lessons...

Take poetry off the page and put it into terms of movement, physical space and, finally, music with this series of three lessons from the Smithsonian Institution. This resource introduces students to two poetic forms that originated as...

Rhyme, rhythm, free verse, imagery: Do these words describe poetry, or jazz music? The answer is both! A resource explores these similarities as scholars watch a video, engage in discussion, read author biographies, write poetry and...

This lesson focuses on the Harlem Renaissance poet Jean Toomer and his poem "Reapers." It features a short bio, a link to his poem, and lists of leveled questions to help analyze poetry: Surface level, Deeper level, Application level,...

This lesson focuses on Countee Cullen, a Harlem Renaissance poet who based his works on Romantic poets and downplayed racism. It features links to three of his poems: "From the Dark Tower," "The Loss of Love," and "Saturday's Child." It...

This lesson focuses on the Harlem Renaissance poet Claude McKay and two of his poems: "If We Must Die" and "The Tropics of New York." It offers a short bio and links to the two poems, and then explains the style and meanings of the poems.

Watch and listen to a webcast of David Kresh, Reference Specialist in Poetry at the Library of Congress, discuss Langston Hughes, including his poetry and other writings, and the impact of his life and work both during the Harlem...

This lesson focuses on Langston Hughes and two of him poems: "Theme for English B" and "I, Too." It provides links to the two poems including an audio version of "I, Too" and a handout worksheet for "Theme for English B." It asks student...

From The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes, by permission of David Higham Associates, a recording from The Dream Keeper and Other Poems and a written version of "I, Too", written by Langston Hughes are provided on this site. Multiple...

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.

This poem appeared in Grimes' book "One Last Word", a collection inspired by poems from The Harlem Renaissance that follow the "Golden Shovel" form. In this poetic form, the poet takes a "striking line" from an inspirational poem and...

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...

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.

This quality site from the University of Illinois offers critical looks at Cullen's poetry as well as an excellent account of the author's life and the influences on his writing.

This is a self-guided learning unit on the topic of poetry. Included are lessons, self-assessments, background information, learning activities, and related literature. Learn how to analyze poetry, appreciate figurative language, and...

Grimes is well known for her award-winning books written for children and young adults. The poem "David's Old Soul" appeared in her book One Last Word, a collection inspired by poems from the Harlem Renaissance that follow the "Golden...

A learning module that begins with the poem "No Images" by William Waring Cuney, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online through free...

Describe the life of Duke Ellington and his contributions to the field of jazz, write an original poem using a variety of popular vocabulary from the 1920's and respond to Ellington's composition "Mood Indigo" by creating a painting.

A concise window into the world of Langston Hughes. He used his own life experiences to write poetry. Photographs help to engage the reader.

A concise window into the world of Langston Hughes. He used his own life experiences to write poetry. Photographs help to engage the reader.

A learning module that begins with "If We Must Die" by Claude McKay accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online through free teacher and...

A learning module that begins with "Storm Ending" by Jean Toomer, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online through free teacher and...

A learning module that begins with "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online through free teacher and...