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eBook
University of South Florida

Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Lit2 Go: James Weldon Johnson

For Students 9th - 10th
The complete text of James Weldon Johnson's novel, "The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man," and his lyrics, "Lift Every Voice and Sing." The texts can be read online or downloaded by individual chapters in MP3 format. In addition, each...
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Handout
Poetry Foundation

Poetry Foundation: Lucille Clifton (1936 2010)

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical information on the life and works of poet Lucille Clifton.
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Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Web Guides: Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith: Online Resources

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection of online resources compiled by the Library of Congress for information on Tracy K. Smith, the U.S. Poet Laureate for 2017. Includes links to biographical information, audio recordings, videos, articles, essays, and book...
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Article
Other

Guernica: Tracy K. Smith: Our Best Selves Are Reserved for the Page

For Students 9th - 10th
An interview with Tracy K. Smith, the 2017 U.S. Poet Laureate, where she discusses writing a memoir, her poetry, and David Bowie. (Published June 28, 2016)
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Activity
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Langston Hughes: Hughes's Life and Career

For Students 9th - 10th
Lengthy, detailed biography of Harlem Renaissance poet, Langston Hughes, from the Oxford Companion to African American Literature.
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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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Article
Other

Harvard Magazine: A Conversation With Tracy K. Smith '94

For Students 9th - 10th
An interview with Tracy K. Smith, the 2017 U.S. Poet Laureate, where she talks about her memoir, Ordinary Light. (Published April 9, 2015)
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Handout
Poetry Foundation

Poetry Foundation: Tracy K. Smith

For Students 9th - 10th
A profile of Tracy K. Smith, the 2017 U.S. Poet Laureate. Includes links to her poems and to a video where she talks about her book, Life on Mars.
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Handout
Academy of American Poets

Poets.org: Tracy K. Smith

For Students 9th - 10th
A short biography of Tracy K. Smith, the 2017 U.S. Poet Laureate. Includes links to her poems and a video of Tracy K. Smith reading some of her poems. [5:30]
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Article
Library of Congress

Loc: Librarian of Congress Names Tracy K. Smith Poet Laureate

For Students 9th - 10th
A profile of Tracy K. Smith, the poet chosen by the Library of Congress to be the 22nd Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry for 2017-2018, otherwise known as the U.S. Poet Laureate. Published June 14, 2017.
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Article
NPR: National Public Radio

Npr: Tracy K. Smith, New u.s. Poet Laureate, Calls Poems Her 'Anchor'

For Students 9th - 10th
A profile of Tracy K. Smith, the U.S. Poet Laureate for 2017. Includes an audio recording of her reading the poem "When Your Small Form Tumbled Into Me." (Published June 14, 2017)
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Lesson Plan
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Sti Lesson 2: Langston Hughes and the Blues

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Explore relationship between music and poetry in this African-American history lesson on Langston Hughes, the Harlem Renaissance, and other artists such as Bessie Smith, John Hammond, the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones.
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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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Article
University of Cambridge

University of Cambridge: The First Black Female Poet?

For Students 9th - 10th
This article looks at a ballad, 'Bars Fight,' by 18th century African-American writer Lucy Terry. It considers the literary qualities of a ballad, and its historical role in society. It then goes on to consider why a Black slave might...
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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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Unknown Type
My Hero Project

My Hero: Phillis Wheatley

For Students 3rd - 8th
The first published African-American poet, Phillis Wheatley used her words in an attempt to rid the country of slavery. This article includes an excerpt from a letter she wrote in 1774 and "related links" for further reading and research.