Curated OER
Literature: Coretta Scott King Award 2005
Students visit websites about the books, authors, and illustrators who received the King awards. They view illustrations from Kadir Nelson's award winning book Ellington Was Not a Street. They read excerpts from books and author interviews.
Georgetown University
Georgetown University: Sterling A. Brown (1901 1989)
Resource includes theme, perspective, form, style and audience of this famous Harlem Renaissance author's work.
Georgetown University
Georgetown University: Anne Spencer (1882 1975)
Includes theme, perspective, form, style and comparison of Anne Spencer's work. Many contemporaries are named and linked.
Georgetown University
Georgetown University: Langston Hughes (1902 1967)
Excellent research site on Langston Hughes. Includes theme, perspective, form, style, audience, comparison and contrast of the famous Harlem Renaissance author's work.
Poetry Foundation
Poetry Foundation: Dream in Color: Resource Guide for Elem School Teachers [Pdf]
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).
Other
Wired for Books: "Their Eyes Were Watching God"`
Professors discuss the book by Zora Neale Hurston. Gives insight into the style and character analysis.
Other
Vanderbilt.edu."the the Black Female & Renaissannce Rena
Highly detailed article concerning this famous era. Historical significance is addressed and a well-written analysis of many authors.
Smithsonian Institution
Anacostia Community Museum: All the Stories Are True: African American Writers Speak
An online companion site for an exhibit showing at the Anacostia Community Museum. Read biographical information on many African American writers while viewing video clips and photos.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Race and Identity in Antebellum America
This unit features authors of Antebellum America and how they portray the American identity through their literature. Click on the tabs to explore the various resources available to enhance this unit.
American Academy of Achievement
Academy of Achievement: Ernest J. Gaines
Biography of American author, Ernest Gaines, well-known for his novels and essays, including The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pitman and A Gathering of Old Men, both adapted for television.
University of Virginia
Explorations in Black Leadership: Nikki Giovanni
A video interview with poet and author Nikki Giovanni, civil rights activist. Includes full transcript of video and short biography.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Discovering a Passion for Poetry W/ Langston Hughes
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...
Howard University
Howard University: Sterling A. Brown, a Literary Tribute
This tribute article discusses the author as a professor, critic and Poet Laureate.
Other
New York Public Library: Homespun Heroines
Great research find! "Homespun Heroines and Other Women of Distinction", edited by Haillie Quinn Brown, is found here, on-line. You may select any chapter or "page" through the book.
African American Literature Book Club
African American Literature Book Club: Wallace Thurman
This site includes the author's credits as an editor and playwright, a biography, and links to three of his books.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Gwendolyn Brooks, Biography
Detailed account of the writer's life. Contains references to contemporaries, influences and motivations in her career.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Anne Spencer
In-depth site on Anne Spencer including an extensive biography of this famous Harlem Renaissance poet. Detailed information on her works, education, and contemporaries. Numerous photographs. Some of her poems are also included.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry:gwendolyn Bennett
This page offers a biography of Gwendolyn Bennet, as well as critical essays on some poems. Includes a picture.
Cengage Learning
Houghton Mifflin: Gwendolyn Brooks, Literary Analysis
Here you will find theme, perspective, form, style, and contrast comparison. Good research material!
Cengage Learning
Houghton Mifflin: Gwendolyn B. Bennett
Although this site is intended for teachers in class preparation, it is information packed and has thought provoking questions at the end.
University at Buffalo
University at Buffalo: Helene Johnson Poetry
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.
Utah State University
A Mini Unit of Gwendolyn Brooks
Nice lesson plan for grades 5-6 that explores poetry and personal expression through the work of Gwendolyn Brooks. Has lots of activities but could easily be modified for time. Has nearly everything you need to do the activity!
African American Literature Book Club
African American Literature Book Club: Zora Neale Hurston
This site focuses on Zora Neale Hurston including a bibliography, the video [2:30] "Zora Neale Hurston: Jump at the Sun" and links to 11 of her books including her most famous work There Eyes Were Watching God.
PBS
Pbs.org: Sterling Brown, Biography
PBS offers a brief, but well-written, biography of the famous Harlem Renaissance author.