Curated OER
Black History in Music
Students relate musical styles with US historical context through research and presentation.
Curated OER
Murals, Memories, and Making Art
Fourth grade reading students study art works by famous artists. They use various tools for learning about the artist, and they present their information by writing and speaking about the artist. They also create artwork in the style of...
Curated OER
Jazz's Beginnings
High schoolers examine jazz's roots and their hybridization in New Orleans in the early 20th century. They listen to ragtime and jazz recordings, then complete worksheets imbedded in this plan.
Curated OER
What Caused the Great Depression?
Analyze the many causes of major political, economic, and social developments during the 1920s and 1930s, with emphasis on the Great Depression. Read photographs from the 1920's and the 1930's, then write a brief explanation of what you...
Curated OER
Symbolism Lesson Plan
Students define the terms symbolism and mood. In groups, they read a poem by Robert Frost and identify the concepts in the poem. As a class, they discuss how the two elements give a meaning to the writing. They also give their own...
Curated OER
An Immigrant's Story
Students discuss famous examples of historical fiction as a genre and why it is used so often. They create an original piece of historical fiction by developing a character who is an immigrant to the United States. They are assessed...
University at Buffalo
Circle Association: Harlem Renaissance History and Links
This resource from the Circle Association at the University of Buffalo gives background on the origins of the Harlem Renaissance and highlights its most famous authors.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Guide to Black History: Harlem Renaissance
Extensive information about the Harlem Renaissance, a period of time considered to be the cultural awakening of African Americans. Included are sections on poetry, fiction, and drama, as well as the legacy of this movement.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: What Was the Harlem Renaissance?
Professor Kate Rushin describes the Harlem Renaissance as a large social and cultural movement fueled by many factors in this video from A Walk Through Harlem.
Curated OER
History Matters: The Harlem Renaissance: Zora Neale Hurston's First Story
The text of Zora Neale Hurston's first short story "Spunk" and a short section on the influential Harlem Renaissance writers. With links to other Harlem Renaissance sites.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Harlem Renaissance Unit
This unit on the history and contribution of the Harlem Renaissance combines research and creative presentations in the form of slideshows, a timeline, and desktop publishing.
Other
Reading Woman: Writers of the Harlem Renaissance
In this collection of book reviews, explore key works by writers from the Harlem Renaissance period. Authors include Dorothy West, Richard Wright, Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston and others.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Sti Lesson 2: Langston Hughes and the Blues
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.
OpenStax
Open Stax: The Jazz Age: Redefining the Nation 1919 1929: A New Generation
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...
Digital History
Digital History:the Great Migration
The Great Migration for African Americans began during World War I as blacks left the segregated south to find jobs in the north. Read about how segregation followed them into their northern neighborhoods. See also how the Harlem...
John F. Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center: Musical Harlem
The Kennedy Center's ArtsEdge offers a great unit for introducing jazz to students. Its use of Harlem as the "glue" which binds together elements such as jazz history and jazz terminology, makes it particularly effective for the...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance influenced not only African American culture in the Jazz Age, but all of American culture. Read about some of the shining stars of African American literature and music of the age.
Other
Vanderbilt.edu."the the Black Female & Renaissannce Rena
Highly detailed article concerning this famous era. Historical significance is addressed and a well-written analysis of many authors.
National Women’s History Museum
National Women's History Museum: Selma Burke
Selma Burke discovered her love for sculpture as a young child and followed her passion to Harlem Renaissance New York, Parisian art studios, and even the White House.
Smithsonian Institution
Anacostia Museum: The Renaissance: Black Art of the Twenties
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.
National Women’s History Museum
National Women's History Museum: Anne Spencer
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.
Columbia University
Columbia University: Harlem Hospital Wpa Murals
Painted during the Great Depression and funded under the Works Progress Administration/Federal Art Project these murals carry with them a history worth noting.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Themepark: Liberty: African American History
Find a large collection of internet resources organized around African American history. Links to places to go, people to see, things to do, teacher resources, and bibliographies.
National Women’s History Museum
National Women's History Museum: Josephine Baker
World-renowned performer, World War II spy, and activist are few of the titles used to describe Josephine Baker.