+
Activity
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Claude Mc Kay's Life

For Students 9th - 10th
A concise and in-depth biography of the American poet known as Claude McKay (1890-1948 CE). McKay was one of the key members of The Harlem Renaissance Movement.
+
Handout
Art Cyclopedia

Artcyclopedia: The Harlem Renaissance

For Students 9th - 10th
This site has a list of fifteen artists from the movement with links to images in various museums.
+
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Extra! Extra! Harlem Renaissance Tribune

For Teachers 6th - 8th
From writing with Langston Hughes to dancing with Bojangles, explore 1920-30 Harlem and publish a newspaper about the arts and entertainment of this cultural renaissance that brought new energy and sound to the world.
+
Website
Academy of American Poets

Poets.org: A Brief Guide to the Harlem Renaissance

For Students 9th - 10th
Concise explanation of the term "Harlem Renaissance," largely as it applies to poetry. It discusses the movement's origins and some of its major figures.
+
Activity
Library of Congress

Loc: African American Odyssey: Harlem Renaissance and the Flowering of Creativity

For Students 9th - 10th
A description of the African-American literary and musical boom known as the Harlem Renaissance after World War I and before World War II. Profiles some of the prominent figures involved in the movement.
+
Activity
Smithsonian Institution

Anacostia Museum: The Renaissance: Black Art of the Twenties

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides an informative description of the "Black Arts of the Twenties," which was better known as the Harlem Renaissance. Learn about the culture, art, music, and writings of this period.
+
Unit Plan
PBS

Literature & Life: Renaissance

For Students 9th - 10th
Some of the African-American writers and poets who were prominent in the early part of the twentieth century are featured on this page. They were important voices during what became known as the 'black Renaissance'. Here, you can listen...
+
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Rhythms in Poetry: Claude Mc Kay

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a succinct biography of Claude McKay, infamous Harlem Renaissance poet who expressed the need for the African American community in America to speak out against racism. See "Claude McKay Activities" for related materials.
+
Handout
National Women’s History Museum

National Women's History Museum: Anne Spencer

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the life and works of Harlem Renaissance poet Anne Spencer who lived her entire life in Virginia and fought for equal rights for African Americans.
+
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...
+
Website
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Southern Road and the "New Negro Renaissance"

For Students 9th - 10th
Great research site! Gives passages from many of the works of the authors of this era. Well-written overview.
+
Website
Art Institute of Chicago

Art Institute of Chicago: Art Access: African American Art

For Students 9th - 10th
The Art Institute of Chicago's collection of African American art provides a rich introduction to over 100 years of noted achievements in painting, sculpture, and printmaking. Ranging chronologically from the Civil War era to the Harlem...
+
Website
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Symbolism in "The Negro Speaks of Rivers"

For Students 9th - 10th
This video segment from A Walk Through Harlem features the poem "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" by Langston Hughes.
+
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.
+
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...
+
Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: American Masters Collection: Zora Neale Hurston

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a collection of four media galleries of videos about Zora Neale Hurston and her novel "Their Eyes Were Watching God."
+
Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: American Historama: Facts About Marcus Garvey

For Students 9th - 10th
Facts, biography, and accomplishments of the life of Marcus Garvey, political leader, journalist and Black Nationalist during the Harlem Renaissance era.
+
Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Clash of Cultures

For Students 9th - 10th
Overview of the 1920s era clash in values in which religious fundamentalism flourished alongside literary and artistic movements of African-Americans and other American intellectuals.
+
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Rhythms in Poetry: Jean Toomer

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a brief biography of Jean Toomer, an African American author of poetry and short stories, published in many magazines in the early twentieth century. Click on "Jean Toomer Activities" for related materials.
+
Activity
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Jean Toomer

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This site from Modern American Poetry comes from the English department at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and proves to be a great resource for information about Jean Toomer (1894-1967 CE). The site contains links to a...
+
Activity
Shmoop University

Shmoop: Langston Hughes: "I, Too, Sing America"

For Students 9th - 10th
An in-depth analysis of "I, Too, Sing America," a poem by Langston Hughes.