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Website
University of Virginia

University of Virginia: The Rita Dove Home Page

For Students 9th - 10th
This is the official University of Virginia's Rita Dove Home Page. Read either a brief or a comprehensive biography on Rita poet. This site also offers photographs of Rita Dove and links to other related Rita
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Activity
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872 1906)

For Students 9th - 10th
This excellent site provides a biography, critical commentary on several poems, examples of Dunbar's illustrated work, images and the text of several poems.
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Website
Poetry Foundation

Poetry Foundation: Maya Angelou (1928 2014)

For Students 9th - 10th
A look at the life and works of poet and writer Maya Angelou, complete with detailed biography, bibliography, links to poems and articles.
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Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Spirit of Nationalism: Phillis Wheatley

For Students 9th - 10th
Phillis Wheatley, an African-American slave, is featured for her neoclassical poetry of pre-nineteenth century America. Click on "Phillis Wheatley Activities" for more resources.
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Primary
University of Virginia

Explorations in Black Leadership: Amiri Baraka

For Students 9th - 10th
A short biography of African American writer Amiri Baraka and an interview with him conducted by Julian Bond available in video download or script format. With insight into influential people in his life, career development, influence of...
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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...
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Unit Plan
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Rita Dove

For Students 9th - 10th
This site focuses on Dove's poem "Parsley". It contains several interviews and articles about Dove and "Parsley". The text of the poem is not, however, available on this page.
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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 lesson!
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Website
Other

Mississippi Writers Page: Margaret Walker Alexander

For Students 9th - 10th
The University of Mississippi lauds its native Margaret Walker Alexander. Included are biographical information, an extensive bibliography of her works and those written about her, and a link to the Margaret Walker Alexander National...
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Handout
Authors Calendar

Author's Calendar: Amiri Baraka

For Students 9th - 10th
Until 1968, Amiri Baraka was known as Everett LeRoi Jones. After converting to the Muslim faith, "he assumed the name Imamu Amiri Baraka". Amiri's life story is found at this site, along with his works listed in chronological order.
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Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Becoming Visible: Gwendolyn Brooks

For Students 9th - 10th
Writer Gwendolyn Brooks is presented in this biography for her contributions to African American literature. Click on "Gwendolyn Brooks Activities" for related artifacts and activities.
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Website
National Women's Hall of Fame

National Women's Hall of Fame: Maya Angelou

For Students 9th - 10th
Read a biography of African-American writer Maya Angelou, a woman whose career has inspired and affected millions of people.
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Handout
Academy of American Poets

Poets.org: Reading Guide to Langston Hughes

For Students 9th - 10th
This guide discusses Langston Hughes's body of poetry, as well as briefly analyzing characteristics in several individual poems. The site also offers an interview with writer Afaa Weaver regarding Hughes's works, discussion questions, a...
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Lesson Plan
Varsity Tutors

Varsity Tutors: Web English Teacher: Langston Hughes

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This resource focuses on the works of famous African-American author, Langston Hughes.
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Lesson Plan
Varsity Tutors

Varsity Tutors: Web English Teacher: Paul Laurence Dunbar

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This Web English Teacher site compiled links to learn more about Paul Laurence Dunbar's work. Explore this informative resource to learn more about his poetry and life.
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Website
African American Literature Book Club

African American Literature Book Club: Jean Toomer

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of Jean Toomer and links to two editions of his book Cane.
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Handout
Black Past

Black Past: Cullen, Countee

For Students 9th - 10th
The brief encyclopedia article tells about Countee Cullen, famous poet of the Harlem Renaissance.
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Primary
University at Buffalo

Univ. At Buffalo: Circle Association's Rita Dove Page

For Students 9th - 10th
Site from the University at Buffalo is still under construction for a mini biography and bibliography. However, site does have an interview of Rita Dove from 1997 and thirteen writings or poems by Dove. Links to other African American...
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eBook
Other

Rita Dove and "Straw Hat"

For Students 9th - 10th
A short bio is provided along with Rita Dove's poem "Straw Hat". Links provided to other sites with information about, and poetry by Dove.
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Website
African American Literature Book Club

African American Literature Book Club: Paul Laurence Dunbar

For Students 9th - 10th
This site focuses on Paul Laurence Dunbar including a biography that includes a poem in dialect "Negro Love Song" illustrating how well the author used this format. It also includes links to eight of his books.
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Website
African American Literature Book Club

African American Literature Book Club: Arna Bontemps

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief biography and a list of the works written by Harlem Renaissance author, Arna Bontemps.