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Handout
Academy of American Poets

Poets.org: Reading Guide to Langston Hughes

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
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Website
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: 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.
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Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: David's Old Soul by Nikki Grimes

For Students 7th - 8th
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...
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Unknown Type
My Hero Project

My Hero: Langston Hughes

For Students 3rd - 8th
This introduction to the life and writing of Langston Hughes profiles the poet who emerged with the Harlem Renaissance to earn "a place amongst the greatest poets America has ever produced."
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Website
University of Michigan

University of Michigan: Harlem 1900 1940: Countee Cullen (1903 1946)

For Students 9th - 10th
This biography on author Countee Cullen gives details on his literary works along with all of his accomplishments throughout his life.
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Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: No Images

For Students 7th - 8th
A learning module that begins with the poem "No Images" by William Waring Cuney, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online through free...
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Primary
CommonLit

Common Lit: "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes

For Students 6th - 8th
This is the full text of the poem "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes. It includes a short bio of Langston Hughes and a focuses for the reader: As you read, take notes on the metaphor and larger message presented in the text. [Free...
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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.
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Primary
Academy of American Poets

Poets.org: "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" by Langston Hughes

For Students 9th - 10th
Contains an audio recording and a text of the poem "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" by Langston Hughes provided by the Academy of American Poets.
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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...
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Website
Georgetown University

Georgetown University: Arna Bontemps (1902 1973)

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
Find interesting ways to teach the poetry of Arna Bontemps at this website from the Heath Anthology of American Literature.
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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.
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Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Learning Through the Duke

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
Describe the life of Duke Ellington and his contributions to the field of jazz, write an original poem using a variety of popular vocabulary from the 1920's and respond to Ellington's composition "Mood Indigo" by creating a painting.
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Unit Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: Langston Hughes

For Students 3rd - 8th
A concise window into the world of Langston Hughes. He used his own life experiences to write poetry. Photographs help to engage the reader.
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Unit Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: Langston Hughes

For Students 3rd - 8th
A concise window into the world of Langston Hughes. He used his own life experiences to write poetry. Photographs help to engage the reader.
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Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: "If We Must Die" by Claude Mc Kay

For Students 7th - 8th
A learning module that begins with "If We Must Die" by Claude McKay accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online through free teacher and...
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Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: Storm Ending

For Students 9th - 10th
A learning module that begins with "Storm Ending" by Jean Toomer, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online through free teacher and...
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Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: Mother to Son

For Students 7th - 8th
A learning module that begins with "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online through free teacher and...
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Website
Academy of American Poets

Poets.org: Gwendolyn Brooks

For Students 9th - 10th
The Academy recognizes this prolific writer and her works as part of the Harlem Renaissance. Content includes the full text of several of her poems, as well as a selected bibliography of her poetry, prose, and letters.
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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.
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Unit Plan
Georgetown University

Georgetown University: Countee Cullen (1903 1946)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Includes form, style, comparison and contrast of Countee Cullen's work. Also has links to famous contemporaries of the era.
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Website
Authors Calendar

Author's Calendar: Countee Cullen

For Students 9th - 10th
Includes Countee Cullen's early life, his works and contains links to his contemporaries.
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Primary
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Popular Culture, Making of African American Identity: V. 2

For Students 9th - 10th
A sculpture, poster, poem, and a painting that challenge black stereotypes in the early-twentieth century. Links to these precursors to the Harlem Renaissance are provided at the top of the page.
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Unit Plan
Cengage Learning

Heath Anthology Instructor's Guide: Claude Mc Kay (1889 1948)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Suggestions for teachers on how to introduce and teach the works of Claude McKay.