+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Literature: Coretta Scott King Award 2005

For Teachers 3rd - 10th
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.
+
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: Anne Spencer (1882 1975)

For Students 9th - 10th
Includes theme, perspective, form, style and comparison of Anne Spencer's work. Many contemporaries are named and linked.
+
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.
+
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.
+
Activity
Smithsonian Institution

Anacostia Community Museum: All the Stories Are True: African American Writers Speak

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
+
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Race and Identity in Antebellum America

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
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.
+
Website
American Academy of Achievement

Academy of Achievement: Ernest J. Gaines

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
+
Primary
University of Virginia

Explorations in Black Leadership: Nikki Giovanni

For Students 9th - 10th
A video interview with poet and author Nikki Giovanni, civil rights activist. Includes full transcript of video and short biography.
+
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.
+
eBook
Other

New York Public Library: Homespun Heroines

For Teachers 9th - 10th
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.
+
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.
+
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: Anne Spencer

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
+
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.
+
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!
+
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.
+
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.
+
Lesson Plan
Utah State University

A Mini Unit of Gwendolyn Brooks

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
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!
+
Unit Plan
African American Literature Book Club

African American Literature Book Club: Zora Neale Hurston

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
+
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.