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University at Buffalo

Phat African American Poetry Book: Arna Bontemps

For Students 9th - 10th
Three of Arna Bontemps' more famous poems are printed here.
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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
University of Texas at Austin

University of Texas at Austin: Harry Ransom Center: Teaching the American 20s

For Students 9th - 10th
Thematic overview of 1920s America that considers the shifts that took place in American society after World War I. Focuses on changing perspectives toward labor, capitalism, women, and immigration, as well as on the American reaction to...
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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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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).
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Website
Other

Women in History: Zora Neale Hurston

For Students 9th - 10th
Superb site that outlines essential information about Zora Neale Hurston. Links are provided for additional information.
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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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Article
PBS

Pbs Online News Hour: The Art of Romare Bearden

For Students 9th - 10th
Newshour with Jim Lehrer, a nightly news broadcast on PBS, offers a wealth of material on Romare Bearden. Content includes the NewsHour report, a gallery of his artwork, extended interviews with the artist, and a companion lesson plan.
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Article
Other

Oxford University Press: Harlem Renaissance [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
An essay detailing the artistry of the Harlem Renaissance period as demonstrated in the poetry and writings derived from New York City in the 1920s.
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Website
Other

John Carrol University: Harlem Renaissance Multimedia Resource

For Students 9th - 10th
This site about the Harlem Renaissance includes audio and video files. A great resource that discusses many aspects of the Harlem Renaissance including African American education, politics, literature, and philosophy.
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Website
Authors Calendar

Author's Calendar: Countee Cullen

For Students 9th - 10th
Includes Countee Cullen's early life, his works and contains links to his contemporaries.
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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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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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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.
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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...
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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...
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Lesson Plan
Crayola

Crayola: Bold and Bright in Harlem (Lesson Plan)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson plan incorporates art into a social studies or language arts class. Students create their own pictures, using the work of Harlem Renaissance artists as inspiration. Also provides resources and adaptations to try with this...
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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...
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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
Other

Whitney Museum: Jacob Lawrence: Exploring Stories

For Students 9th - 10th
A look at Jacob Lawrence and his art, and instructions on how to make your own tempera paints and "paint your own story," using Lawrence's work as inspiration.
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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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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...
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Unit Plan
Department of Defense

Do Dea: Music From the Ashes

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This is a self-guided learning unit on the topic of poetry. Included are lessons, self-assessments, background information, learning activities, and related literature. Learn how to analyze poetry, appreciate figurative language, and...
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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.