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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Deep like Rivers: Four African American Poets of the 1920s and 1930s

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine work by outstanding African American poets from the time period of the 1920s and 1930s. They study aspects of American and African American social, cultural and artistic history that influenced the content of some of the...
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Unit Plan
Georgia Department of Education

Ga Virtual Learning: American Literature: The Harlem Renaissance: Claude Mc Kay

For Students 9th - 10th
This lesson focuses on the Harlem Renaissance poet Claude McKay and two of his poems: "If We Must Die" and "The Tropics of New York." It offers a short bio and links to the two poems, and then explains the style and meanings of the poems.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Website
Cengage Learning

Houghton Mifflin: Gwendolyn Brooks, Literary Analysis

For Students 9th - 10th
Here you will find theme, perspective, form, style, and contrast comparison. Good research material!
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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.
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Unit Plan
Cengage Learning

Houghton Mifflin: Gwendolyn B. Bennett

For Students 9th - 10th
Although this site is intended for teachers in class preparation, it is information packed and has thought provoking questions at the end.
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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.
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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.
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Website
PBS

Pbs.org: Sterling Brown, Biography

For Students 9th - 10th
PBS offers a brief, but well-written, biography of the famous Harlem Renaissance author.
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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.
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Unit Plan
University of Michigan

University of Michigan: Harlem 1900 1940: Claude Mc Kay

For Students 9th - 10th
This brief biography of Claude McKay includes a photo, and is part of a larger exhibition.
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Website
Academy of American Poets

Poets.org: Claude Mc Kay

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from The American Academy of Poets contains biographical information on Claude McKay. Also includes several links throughout for additional information on subjects that are related to McKay. Also includes a selected...
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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.
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Website
National Women's Hall of Fame

National Women's Hall of Fame: Zora Neale Hurston

For Students 9th - 10th
This Barnard-educated writer, anthropologist, and folklorist grew up in Eatonville, Florida; the first all-Black city in America. Read a short summary of her life and accomplishments.
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Website
Academy of American Poets

Poets.org: Sterling A. Brown

For Students 9th - 10th
Excellent biography citing influences on the famous author's work. Links to contemporaries of the era.