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).
Handout
National Women’s History Museum

National Women's History Museum: Josephine Baker

For Students 9th - 10th
World-renowned performer, World War II spy, and activist are few of the titles used to describe Josephine Baker.
Unit Plan
Georgia Department of Education

Ga Virtual Learning: American Lit and Composition: Their Eyes Were Watching God

For Students 9th - 10th
This is an introduction to the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, which was hailed for its mastery of the southern black dialect and its artistic style and symbolism.
Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: Duke Ellington

For Students 7th - 8th
CommonLit.org is a wonderful resource to use in a Language Arts classroom. Each story or article is accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. In addition, students can click on words to see...
eBook
Other

America Dept. Of State: Outline of American Literature [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This online book presents an overview of American literature chronologically. Eras and movements are explained and biographies of significant authors are provided. This is a good way to understand the background and influences of...
eBook
Other

Poets' Corner: Harlem Shadows: The Poems of Claude Mc Kay

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection of seventy four poems by Claude McKay. With an introduction by editor Nelson Miller highlighting his life and great works.
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.
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.
Primary
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Popular Culture, Making of African American Identity: V. 2

For Students 9th - 10th
A sculpture, poster, poem, and a painting that challenge black stereotypes in the early-twentieth century. Links to these precursors to the Harlem Renaissance are provided at the top of the page.
Graphic
Curated OER

Thurman

For Students Pre-K - 1st
This site includes the author's credits as an editor and playwright. A good Biography and links to other other helpful sites.
Activity
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: "Letter From Spain"

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from Modern American Poetry provides a review of the famous poem by Langston Hughes. The information that is provided is somewhat brief, but factual, and worth checking out.
Handout
John F. Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center: Arts Edge: Fats Waller

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource presents a brief biography about jazz pianist and composer Fats Waller. Also featured in this resource are a couple of audio clips of his music.
Handout
John F. Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center: Arts Edge: James P. Johnson

For Students 9th - 10th
Stride pianist James P. Johnson is featured in this resource with a brief biography highlighting his career. It includes an audio clip showcasing his piano playing style.
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...
Unit Plan
Cengage Learning

Heath Anthology Instructor's Guide: Claude Mc Kay (1889 1948)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Suggestions for teachers on how to introduce and teach the works of Claude McKay.
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.
Website
Georgetown University

Georgetown University: Arna Bontemps (1902 1973)

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
Find interesting ways to teach the poetry of Arna Bontemps at this website from the Heath Anthology of American Literature.
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
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Countee Cullen

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Creative Space: Fifty Years of Robert Blackburn's

For Students 9th - 10th
A great site about Robert Blackburn's Printmaking workshops in existence since the 1940's. A Great bio on Blackburn as well as information on the exhibition at the Library of Congress.
Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Clash of Cultures

For Students 9th - 10th
Overview of the 1920s era clash in values in which religious fundamentalism flourished alongside literary and artistic movements of African-Americans and other American intellectuals.
Website
Other

Beltway Poetry Quarterly: Georgia Douglas Johnson

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed biography of Georgia Douglas Johnson. With selected works including the poem "YOUR WORLD" and a list of other suggested readings.
Handout
Library of Congress

Loc: Today in History: February 1: Victor Herbert and Langston Hughes

For Students 9th - 10th
This section of Today in History tells about the lives of Victor Herbert and Langston Hughes and gives links to pertinent historical primary materials relating to them.
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: Billie Holiday Was Born

For Students 9th - 10th
Billie Holiday is one of the most well-known blues singers of all time. Visit this Library of Congress site for more about her early years and some great photographs.