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1920s Variety Show

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
To better understand the cultural achievements of the Harlem Renaissance and become familiar with its major figures, class members examine a painting by Aaron Douglas and a poem by Langston Hughes and compare how the artists develop...
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Reviving the Renaissance

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Bring the Internet and the Renaissance together in this presentation assignment. Middle schoolers give a presentation on the Renaissance, using computers to both research and create the slides. The lesson plan includes a short assessment...
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The Harlem Renaissance Births a Black Culture

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine the men and women who were a part of the Harlem Renaissance. Individually, they recreate their favorite pieces of art from the time period and create their own original works after reading poem from the movement. In...
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Medieval and Renaissance Art: Botanical Symbolism

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students study the significance of flowers in art from two periods. In this Medieval and Renaissance art lesson, students research the presence and meaning of botanical illustrations in twelfth, thirtieth, and fourteenth century...
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Poets Got Them Blues

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Contemplate what music learners listen to and why they listen. Can they find poetry within music lyrics? Specifically hone in on blues lyrics and ruminate upon the social issues prevalent in the themes. Particular song lyrics coincide...
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Rhythm and Improv, Jazz and Poetry

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Connect the ideas of jazz improvisation and art to writing poetry. Learners collaborate and write different lines of poetry, imitating the jazz styles of improvisation and freewriting. Take a close look at the poems "Tenebrae" by Yusef...
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Coil Vessels with Symbols

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders explore symbolism in Renaissance art, use ceramics vocabulary, and demonstrate craftsmanship in working with clay.
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Visualizing Jazz Scenes From the Harlem Renaissance

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Learners identify themes of selected nonfiction, fiction, poetry and art to Harlem Renaissance jazz and describe the impact of jazz on African-American literature of the Harlem Renaissance
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Renaissance Man Comparison Poster

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students watch a PBS video entitled Suleiman to help them identify characteristics associated with Renaissance notables. After watching the video, individually or in small groups, the students will research a notable Renaissance figure...
Lesson Plan
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The Harlem Renaissance: Black American Traditions

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the time period of the Harlem Renaissance. As a class, they are introduced to five artists and discuss their art and techniques. Using the internet, they also research the philosophers of the time period and how...
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Heroes Portrait

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders investigate art appreciation and Renaissance portraits through time. They create a portrait.
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Social Studies: Renaissance

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students explore Renaissance architecture. In this Renaissance lesson, students view a slideshow featuring architecture of the era and then discuss the math skills used to the build the structures. Student build their own replicas of...
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Renaissance Trade and Exchange

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders map out trade routes. In this Renaissance time period lesson, 6th graders complete a Christopher Columbus Map Activity, discuss and identify the parts of a map, and locate Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Students...
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Italian Renaissance

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore the Italian Rensissance in this six lessons unit. The prominent citizens, the ideas, values, art, philosophy, and literature of the are seen as a rediscovery of Ancient Greek and Roman times.
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The South, the North and the Great Migration: Blues and Literature

For Teachers 8th - 12th Standards
Here is a complex lesson plan that interweaves the history of the Jim Crow South and the Great Migration with the study of poetry, art, and blues music from the Harlem Renaissance. The plan helps young historians develop a deep...
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The Renaissance Person: composing an Extended Definition Essay

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars recognize the characteristics of an extended definition.  In this Renaissance person lesson, students read a collection of short stories.  Young scholars research the definitions of Renaissance and Renaissance...
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The Printing Press

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore importance of Johannes Gutenberg's invention of the printing press during the Renaissance by copying short poem or sentences and using pre-arranged alphabet stamps to make copies.
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Heroes of Harlem

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Students explore the artists of the Harlem Renaissance. Their research culminates in a Harlem Renaissance Fair celebrating the movement's cultural and artistic contributions to society.
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Arcimboldo Style Self Portraits

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners view and discuss Renaissance art, including the work of Arcimboldo. They create their own self portraits through imagery and symbolism in the Arcimboldo style.
Unit Plan
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"Ancora Imparo" (Still I Am Learning)

For Teachers 6th
Students study the Italian Renaissance, its impact, and origin. In this Italian Renaissance lesson, students study the Renaissance via the ancient civilizations and political geography of various countries. Students study the art prior...
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The Great Migration

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore how migration to Harlem created a new life for African Americans. In this cross curricular lesson, students illustrate maps showing the migration, paint murals representing African American life in the South and...
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Shakespeare and the Concepts of the Renaissance

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders familiarize themselves with the English Renaissance period and recognize the symbolism in Act V of "The Merchant of Venice" and analyze how it relates to the Italian Renaissance Themes. They produce an extended response...
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Art One-Master Emulation Acrylic Painting Lesson Plan

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine art history books and gather information on three masters. Using the text, they gather information about their history, style, and the techniques they used. They create their own paintings using acrylic paint using the...
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Portrait Parody

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders use modern materials and technology to create a modern portrait modeled after a Renaissance picture.