Curated OER
Express Yourself Lesson Seed 2
Use Langston Hughes's poem, "Words Like Freedom," to explore the concepts of freedom and liberty. Learners read the poem, determine the theme, and use the provided graphic organizer to examine the connotative and denotative meanings of...
Curated OER
The Poetry Archive
Students investigate the power of title and poetry in a Langston Hughes' poem. In this poetry analysis lesson, students discuss the poem 'I, Too' for its title and content. Students use the variation in English Words and Phrases website...
Curated OER
Langston Hughes: Voice Among Voices
Learners study Langston Hughes's poetry, short stories, and his first autobiography. They read and appreciate the candid, honest and powerful creative masterpieces of this black genius and discuss the numerous universal themes and...
Curated OER
African American Poetry
Students write their own dream poems in the style of African American dream poetry. In this African American poetry lesson plan, students discuss the dreams of African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement and read...
National Endowment for the Humanities
The Poet's Voice: Langston Hughes and You
Middle schoolers complete a unit of lessons that explore the poetic voice of Langston Hughes. They define voice, read and analyze various poems by Langston Hughes, and complete journal entries for each instructional activity.
Curated OER
Ted Hughes "Pike"
Middle schoolers analyze how a poet uses language to capture creatures and draft a poem on a 'sinister' animal. In this poetry analysis lesson, students read Ted Hughes' poem 'Pike' and analyze pictures of pike fish. Middle schoolers use...
Curated OER
Poets Got Them Blues
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...
Curated OER
The Leadership and Impact of Booker T. Washington
Twelfth graders explore the life and leadership of Booker T. Washington. In this Booker T. Washington lesson, 12th graders examine images of Washington, listen to audio of his voice, and his most famous speech. Students wrote responses...
British Library
British Library: 20th Century Teaching Resources: Ted Hughes's Birthday Letters
In these activities, learners will consider Ted Hughes as a poet and a person, as well as some of the literary and personal influences on his writing. They will explore some of his poems in the draft and published form, exploring the...
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Contemporary Drama: Introduction to a Raisin in the Sun
This lesson is an introduction to the play "A Raisin in the Sun" by Lorraine Hansberry, which is set in Chicago in the 1950s. It features links to two of Langston Hughes's poems that influenced the title of the play and a Lorraine...
The Washington Post
Washington Post.: A Poem by Sylvia Plath
This Washington Post article by poet laureate Robert Hass analyzes Plath's (1932-1963 CE) poem "By Candlelight," and includes the text of the poem.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: The Poet's Voice: Langston Hughes and You
What is meant by voice in poetry, and what qualities have made the voice of Langston Hughes a favorite for so many people? This lesson will lead students to learn about the qualities that make Langston Hughes's voice distinctive,...
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Langston Hughes: Hughes's Life and Career
Lengthy, detailed biography of Harlem Renaissance poet, Langston Hughes, from the Oxford Companion to African American Literature.
Academy of American Poets
Poets.org: Walking Tour: Langston Hughes's Harlem of 1926
Walk in the footsteps of the Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes in this online guided tour. Contains specific directions to navigate through Harlem to places he lived and visited regularly. With quotes from various works mentioning...
CommonLit
Common Lit: David's Old Soul by Nikki Grimes
Grimes is well known for her award-winning books written for children and young adults. The poem "David's Old Soul" appeared in her book One Last Word, a collection inspired by poems from the Harlem Renaissance that follow the "Golden...
British Library
British Library: 20th Century Works: Birthday Letters
'Birthday Letters', a collection of 88 poems by the British poet Ted Hughes, revolves around Hughes's relationship with the American poet Sylvia Plath. Read an overview and view additional resources such as articles, collection items,...
British Library
British Library: 20th Century: 'The Man From Over the Top of the Hill'
In this article, Simon Armitage explores some of Ted Hughes's themes and interests and his impact on his own life and work.
Academy of American Poets
Poets.org: Reading Guide to Langston Hughes
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...
British Library
British Library: 20th Century People: Ted Hughes
Read a summary of Ted Hughes's impact on 20th Century poetry and view additional resources such as related articles, collection items, and teacher resources.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Langston Hughes
A lesson plan based around the use of metaphor in Langston Hughes's "Dreams" poem. A good reference for teachers looking for instructional activity ideas on the Harlem Renaissance.