+
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: The Poet's Voice: Langston Hughes and You

For Teachers 9th - 10th
What is meant by voice in poetry, and what qualities have made the voice of Langston Hughes a favorite for so many people? This lesson will lead students to learn about the qualities that make Langston Hughes's voice distinctive,...
+
Unit Plan
Georgetown University

Georgetown University: Sterling A. Brown (1901 1989)

For Students 9th - 10th
Resource includes theme, perspective, form, style and audience of this famous Harlem Renaissance author's work.
+
Unit Plan
Georgetown University

Georgetown University: Langston Hughes (1902 1967)

For Students 9th - 10th
Excellent research site on Langston Hughes. Includes theme, perspective, form, style, audience, comparison and contrast of the famous Harlem Renaissance author's work.
+
Article
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: Teacher Serve: The Image of Africa in the Literature of the Harlem Renaissance

For Students 9th - 10th
Overview of African Americans and their relationship to Africa. a myth which was embraced by the Harlem Renaissance.
+
Website
University at Buffalo

Circle Association: Harlem Renaissance History and Links

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource from the Circle Association at the University of Buffalo gives background on the origins of the Harlem Renaissance and highlights its most famous authors.
+
Activity
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Langston Hughes

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
If you are looking for biographical information on Langston Hughes and/or excerpts and reviews of his work, this site is a bonanza! The table of contents makes it easy to click to the section you want.
+
Lesson Plan
Poetry Foundation

Poetry Foundation: Dream in Color: Resource Guide for Elem School Teachers [Pdf]

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Explore a wealth of poems, lesson plans, and classroom activities to help elementary school students discover the diversity in African-American poets and create their own voice in poetry. PDF (requires Adobe Reader).
+
Website
Other

Wired for Books: "Their Eyes Were Watching God"`

For Students 9th - 10th
Professors discuss the book by Zora Neale Hurston. Gives insight into the style and character analysis.
+
Article
Other

Vanderbilt.edu."the the Black Female & Renaissannce Rena

For Students 9th - 10th
Highly detailed article concerning this famous era. Historical significance is addressed and a well-written analysis of many authors.
+
Website
Authors Calendar

Author's Calendar: Langston Hughes

For Students 9th - 10th
Langston Hughes is known mainly for his rhythmic poems set to music. This site gives an in-depth look at his background, including biographical information, what he wrote about, who influenced him, and his level of success.
+
Handout
John F. Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center: Arts Edge: Drop Me Off in Harlem

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection of biographies, video and audio clips, and photos offer a look at the people, locations, and themes of 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.
+
Unit Plan
Georgia Department of Education

Ga Virtual Learning:american Literature: The Harlem Renaissance: Langston Hughes

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
+
Unit Plan
Other

The Poetry Archive: "I, Too" by Langston Hughes

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
+
Lesson Plan
ReadWriteThink

Read Write Think: Discovering a Passion for Poetry W/ Langston Hughes

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
After analyzing examples of contemporary youth poetry as well as the poetry of Langston Hughes, students will use the Internet to conduct research on how events in the world have shaped Hughes' work. They will cite specific examples that...
+
Website
Howard University

Howard University: Sterling A. Brown, a Literary Tribute

For Students 9th - 10th
This tribute article discusses the author as a professor, critic and Poet Laureate.
+
Lesson Plan
Huntington Library

Huntington Library: The Poetry and Prose of Langston Hughes [Pdf]

For Teachers 11th Standards
In this lesson, 11th graders explore how the poetry of Langston Hughes reflected political and social issues of the time and how literature can support social change.
+
Website
African American Literature Book Club

African American Literature Book Club: Wallace Thurman

For Students 9th - 10th
This site includes the author's credits as an editor and playwright, a biography, and links to three of his books.
+
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.
+
Lesson Plan
Better Lesson

Better Lesson: Dylan Thomas v. Langston Hughes

For Teachers 7th - 9th Standards
Students will be given poems by Dylan Thomas and Langston Hughes and will determine the differing structure, style, and content of each poem. Included are detailed plans, copies of the poems, and examples of student work.
+
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.
+
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.
+
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.
+
Primary
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Race as Community, Making of African American Identity: V. 3

For Students 9th - 10th
Articles illustrating how African Americans defined community according to perceptions of race. Links are provided to these works by George Schuyler, Langston Hughes, E. Franklin Frazier.