Website
ibiblio

Ibiblio: Margaret Walker

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
eBook
Other

Rita Dove and "Straw Hat"

For Students 9th - 10th
A short bio is provided along with Rita Dove's poem "Straw Hat". Links provided to other sites with information about, and poetry by Dove.
Primary
CommonLit

Common Lit: "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes

For Students 6th - 8th
This is the full text of the poem "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes. It includes a short bio of Langston Hughes and a focuses for the reader: As you read, take notes on the metaphor and larger message presented in the text. [Free...
Handout
Academy of American Poets

Poets.org: Reading Guide to Langston Hughes

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
Lesson Plan
Varsity Tutors

Varsity Tutors: Web English Teacher: Paul Laurence Dunbar

For Teachers 9th - 10th
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.
Website
New York Public Library

In Motion Magazine: In Praise of Toni Cade Bambara

For Students 9th - 10th
A short essay and poem written in Bambara's honor after her death.
Handout
Academy of American Poets

Poets.org: Tracy K. Smith

For Students 9th - 10th
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]
Website
New York Times

New York Times: Helene Johnson, Poet of Harlem, 89, Dies

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] An obituary for Helene Johnson, a famous Harlem Renaissance poet. Includes quotations from some of her poems.
Article
Library of Congress

Loc: Librarian of Congress Names Tracy K. Smith Poet Laureate

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Lesson Plan
Yale University

Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: How to Blues

For Teachers 6th - 8th
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...
Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: "Fastest Woman in the World" by Pat Parker

For Students 5th - 6th
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...
Unit Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: Langston Hughes

For Students 3rd - 8th
A concise window into the world of Langston Hughes. He used his own life experiences to write poetry. Photographs help to engage the reader.
Unit Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: Langston Hughes

For Students 3rd - 8th
A concise window into the world of Langston Hughes. He used his own life experiences to write poetry. Photographs help to engage the reader.
Lesson Plan
Other

Lesson Plan: Writing a Haiku

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Check out this lesson on haiku that includes samples by Richard Wright. Students and teachers will benefit from this educational tool.
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Web Guides: A Guide to Harlem Renaissance Materials

For Students 9th - 10th
Presents the Library's resources as well as links to external web sites on the Harlem Renaissance, and a bibliography.
Activity
Other

Database of Award Winning Children's Literature

For Students 4th - 9th
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...
Activity
University at Buffalo

University at Buffalo: Jean Toomer Unpublished Works

For Students 9th - 10th
You can see the texts of unpublished works at this site.
Unit Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: A Voice of Her Own: Phillis Wheatley

For Students 9th - 10th
The Library of Congress series biography of Phillis Wheatley also includes links to her selected writings.
eBook
University of Virginia

University of Virginia: Electronic Text Center: The Modern English Collection

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
Unit Plan
Shmoop University

Shmoop: Africa

For Students 9th - 10th
This poem by Maya Angelou taps into the black pride movement during the twentieth century. This site gives an excellent analysis of the poem and its important themes.
Primary
University at Buffalo

University at Buffalo: Derek Walcott

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Graphic
Curated OER

Phillis Wheatley: Life and Poems

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical note about the 18th century African American poet Phillis Wheatley.
Lesson Plan
Yale University

Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: Influence of Folk

For Teachers 9th - 10th
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.
Website
Dartmouth College

Dartmouth College: Hood Museum of Art

For Students 9th - 10th
Designed by architect Charles Moore, the Hood Museum of Art has a permanent collection ranging from Ancient and Asian to Modern and Contemporary Art. Of special note are American portrait paintings of the 18th and 19th centuries,...

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