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African American Literature Book Club

African American Literature Book Club: Jean Toomer

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of Jean Toomer and links to two editions of his book Cane.
Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Outlines: Clash of Cultures

For Students 9th - 10th
Although brief, this discussion of the clash of cultures in the 1920s covers all the reasons for cultural discordance.
Handout
John F. Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center: Arts Edge: William Grant Still

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about composer William Grant Still in this resource. This brief biography highlights the career of this African American composer.
PPT
Columbia University

Columbia University: "The Migration Series" by Jacob Lawrence

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a four slide-show examination of the pictorial series that the Harlem Renaissance artist Jacob Lawrence created in paint to tell the story of the "The Great Migration" of African-Americans from the Southern United States to the...
eBook
OpenStax

Open Stax: The Jazz Age: Redefining the Nation 1919 1929: A New Generation

For Students 11th - 12th
Looks at the new morality that emerged in the 1920s. It changed the role of women and the perception of African Americans, the latter facilitated by the Harlem Renaissance and its impact on the music and dance of the Jazz Age. Also...
Website
PBS

Pbs: Duke Ellington's Washington

For Students 9th - 10th
This site explores the life of Duke Ellington, as well as the strong African-American community that flourished in Washington, D.C., during the time that Ellington lived there (1899-1923).
Website
PBS

Pbs: The Story of Jazz

For Students 9th - 10th
A supplement to a ten-part film series on jazz, this resource describes the growth and development of jazz music from the gritty streets of New Orleans to the Lincoln Gardens on Chicago's south side, where Louis Armstrong first won fame,...
Website
Academy of American Poets

Poets.org: Gwendolyn Brooks

For Students 9th - 10th
The Academy recognizes this prolific writer and her works as part of the Harlem Renaissance. Content includes the full text of several of her poems, as well as a selected bibliography of her poetry, prose, and letters.
Handout
Black Past

Black Past: Cullen, Countee

For Students 9th - 10th
The brief encyclopedia article tells about Countee Cullen, famous poet of the Harlem Renaissance.
Handout
Black Past

Black Past: Hurston, Zora Neale

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a very brief encyclopedia entry about Zora Neale Hurston, the talented and prolific writer of the Harlem Renaissance and later.
Handout
Black Past

Black Past: Hughes, Langston

For Students 9th - 10th
This encyclopedia article is a brief biography of Langston Hughes, the influential poet during the Harlem Renaissance.
Website
Academy of American Poets

Poets.org: Langston Hughes

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides a biography of Langston Hughes, followed by several of his poems (some complete with audio clips) and a bibliography of his more influential works.
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My Hero Project

My Hero: Langston Hughes

For Students 3rd - 8th
This introduction to the life and writing of Langston Hughes profiles the poet who emerged with the Harlem Renaissance to earn "a place amongst the greatest poets America has ever produced."
Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: American Historama: Women in the 1920s

For Students 9th - 10th
A comprehensive overview with detailed facts about the changing role of women in society. Provides lists of famous women of the 1920s.
Website
African American Literature Book Club

African American Literature Book Club: Arna Bontemps

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief biography and a list of the works written by Harlem Renaissance author, Arna Bontemps.
Handout
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.

New Georgia Encyclopedia: Georgia Douglas Johnson

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about Georgia Douglas Johnson, an important Harlem Renaissance poet and playwright. List of suggested readings included.
Handout
Other

E Notes: Twentieth Century Literary Criticism: Dorothy West Criticism

For Students 9th - 10th
A complete biography of Harlem Renaissance writer Dorothy West. Highlights her major works and critical reception.
Handout
Other

E Notes: Short Story Criticism: Jean Toomer

For Students 9th - 10th
A review of Jean Toomer, an influential writer during the Harlem Renaissance. Presents a biography and a look at his contributions to short fiction.
Handout
National Women’s History Museum

National Women's History Museum: Anne Spencer

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the life and works of Harlem Renaissance poet Anne Spencer who lived her entire life in Virginia and fought for equal rights for African Americans.
Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: David's Old Soul by Nikki Grimes

For Students 7th - 8th
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...
Handout
Other

Wittenberg University: Major Figures of the Harlem Renaissance

For Students 9th - 10th
Brief overview, followed by biographical sketches of people making this time memorable.
Handout
African American Literature Book Club

African American Literature Book Club: Langston Hughes

For Students 9th - 10th
This site gives a short biography of Langston Hughes's life, a "Mini Bio: Langston Hughes" video [3:33] and links to 20 of his books.
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: Zora Neale Hurston

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This site provides information and activities focused around Zora Neale Hurston's life and work. Check out this site featuring links to several sites focused on Hurston's work.