Activity
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Langston Hughes: Hughes's Life and Career

For Students 9th - 10th
Lengthy, detailed biography of Harlem Renaissance poet, Langston Hughes, from the Oxford Companion to African American Literature.
Handout
Poetry Foundation

Poetry Foundation: Dream in Color: Teacher Resources Glossary, Credits [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This website contains a glossary with definitions of poetic terms and a bibliography of additional African-American poets and books and recommended reading.
eBook
University at Buffalo

University at Buffalo: Helene Johnson Poetry

For Students 9th - 10th
This site, which is provided for by the University at Buffalo, gives the text of three of the poems of this famous Harlem Renaissance author.
Unit Plan
Poetry Foundation

Poetry Foundation: Dream in Color: A Guide for Middle School Teachers [Pdf]

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
Visit this resource to find a wealth of poems, lesson plans, and classroom activities to help middle school students discover the diversity in African American poets and create their own voice in poetry. This resource is in PDF form.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Rhythms in Poetry: Claude Mc Kay

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Unit Plan
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Rita Dove

For Students 9th - 10th
This site focuses on Dove's poem "Parsley". It contains several interviews and articles about Dove and "Parsley". The text of the poem is not, however, available on this page.
Activity
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872 1906)

For Students 9th - 10th
This excellent site provides a biography, critical commentary on several poems, examples of Dunbar's illustrated work, images and the text of several poems.
Activity
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Claude Mc Kay

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography and analysis of the life of the famous author, as well as literary criticism as well as online poems, letters and a bibliography. Includes many quotes and his poetry.
Primary
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Race Problem, Making of African American Identity: V. 2

For Students 9th - 10th
A poem, an address, and a painting that illustrate black political struggle in late-nineteenth-century America. This series of resources characterize "the Negro Problem" as "a concrete test of the underlying principles of the great...
Website
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Gwendolyn Brooks, Biography

For Students 9th - 10th
Detailed account of the writer's life. Contains references to contemporaries, influences and motivations in her career.
Lesson Plan
Varsity Tutors

Varsity Tutors: Web English Teacher: Langston Hughes

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This resource focuses on the works of famous African-American author, Langston Hughes.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Rhythms in Poetry: Jean Toomer

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Becoming Visible: Gwendolyn Brooks

For Students 9th - 10th
Writer Gwendolyn Brooks is presented in this biography for her contributions to African American literature. Click on "Gwendolyn Brooks Activities" for related artifacts and activities.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: The Search for Identity: Alice Walker

For Students 9th - 10th
Alice Walker is highlighted in this brief biography for her acclaimed contributions to literature, relating the struggles and triumphs of African Americans throughout history. Click on "Alice Walker Activities" for related materials.
Unit Plan
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University

De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Gwendolyn Brooks, Poet [Pdf]

For Teachers 2nd - 4th Standards
"Gwendolyn Brooks, Poet" is a one page, biographical passage about Gwendolyn Brooks, an African-American poet from Chicago. It is followed by an open-ended question which requires students to provide evidence from the story; it includes...
Website
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Etheridge Knight (1931 1991)

For Students 9th - 10th
Modern American Poetry offers both biographical information about Black Arts poet, Etheridge Knight, and excepts of analyses of his poems.
Activity
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry:gwendolyn Bennett

For Students 9th - 10th
This page offers a biography of Gwendolyn Bennet, as well as critical essays on some poems. Includes a picture.
Website
Poetry Foundation

Poetry Foundation: Maya Angelou (1928 2014)

For Students 9th - 10th
A look at the life and works of poet and writer Maya Angelou, complete with detailed biography, bibliography, links to poems and articles.
Website
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Hayden's Life and Career

For Students 9th - 10th
Mark A. Sanders writes a biographical critique on Robert Hayden and his poetry.
Activity
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Sterling A. Brown (1901 1989)

For Students 9th - 10th
An extensive look at the life and works of Sterling A. Brown of the Harlem Renaissance. With links to specific poems and analysis, a biography, and related topics.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Rhythms in Poetry: Langston Hughes

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs: The Blues as Poetry

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Discover what the relationship is between poetry and the blues. This site features lesson plans and online resources.
Activity
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Claude Mc Kay's Life

For Students 9th - 10th
A concise and in-depth biography of the American poet known as Claude McKay (1890-1948 CE). McKay was one of the key members of The Harlem Renaissance Movement.
Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Guide to Black History: Harlem Renaissance

For Students 9th - 10th
Extensive information about the Harlem Renaissance, a period of time considered to be the cultural awakening of African Americans. Included are sections on poetry, fiction, and drama, as well as the legacy of this movement.

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