Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Paul Robeson: 20th-Century Renaissance Man, Hero In Any Century

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Students study the life and times of actor Paul Robeson. In this social activism lesson, students research primary and secondary documents to create multi-media presentations featuring Paul Robeson's life and political activism.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jazz Scenes of the Harlem Renaissance

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers identify and connect themes of selected nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and art to Harlem Renaissance jazz. They compare and contrast historical and fictionalized versions of the jazz scenes of the Harlem Renaissance. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Prince and the Pauper

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Mark Twain, the famous American author, is often studied in the school system. Use "The Prince and the Pauper" to analyze the differences between the text and its video version.  This lesson includes several culminating project...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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...
Lesson Plan
Maryland Department of Education

A Raisin in the Sun and Dreams Deferred

For Teachers 10th Standards
To conclude a study of A Raisin in the Sun and to prepare for a visit to the Lewis Museum, class members analyze Langston Hughes' poem "Harlem." Learners then draw connections to characters in the play and to their own experiences...
Lesson Plan
Incredible Art

1, 2, and 3-Point Perspective

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Introduce drawing students to perspective with a series of lesson that detail how to draft images in one-, two-, and three-point perspective. Each exercise includes step-by-step, illustrated directions and examples.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Negro Renaissance

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students research the Negro Renaissance, its important contributors, and society's affect upon the Negro Renaissance contributor's products. Students create an online biographical presentation of Negro Renaissance contributors as a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creative Voices of Harlem

For Teachers K - 4th
Young scholars explore the Harlem Renaissance. In this American history lesson, students examine a poem by Langston Hughes and identify the characteristics of the Harlem Renaissance. Young scholars research and report on a famous Harlem...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Medici Popes

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners explore Italian politics and warfare of the Renaissance. They explain the origins and effects of the Protestant Reformation and contrast Renaissance and Medieval attitudes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Education Element of the Harlem Renaissance and Its Impact on the New Negro

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate African American history by researching culture. In this Harlem Renaissance lesson, students identify the teachings, music and art associated with African Americans in Harlem in the early 20th century. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Renaissance

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine the rise of the Renaissance and the contributions and roles of various groups such as ancient Greeks, Muslim scholars, the aristocracy, the Catholic Church, and tradesmen. They develop and write a report on a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Harlem Renaissance

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students, after researching/analyzing the movement "Harlem Renaissance" and Africa as well as reading literature from that time period, create lists of the major characteristics of the movement and its important writers. They bridge the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Modern Dance and the Harlem Renaissance

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students create an artistic rendering based on what they have learned from the film and the lesson.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fifth Grade Music: An Ancient Round, Vocal Music in the Renaissance

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders sing the melody for Sumer Is Icumen In, in unison and as a two-part round. They listen to a madrigal from Renaissance Italy and a lute song from Elizabethan England.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, The Minstrels

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils explore "Stairway to Heaven". In this music history lesson, students examine the music and lyrics of the Led Zeppelin song. Pupils compare the song to Renaissance madrigal music.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Common Thread: The Significance of Wool In Midieval England

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders fill in a KWL chart and participate in a simulation of role playing about the Renaissance. In this Renaissance lesson plan, 6th graders learn how agriculture affected the culture of Midieval England.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Not Everyone Lived in Castles During the Middle Ages

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students complete a variety of online activities surrounding their study of the Middle Ages. They focus on the various levels of the class sytem and then role play a member of a given class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Paul Robeson: 20th-Century Renaissance Man, Hero In Any Century

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Young scholars explore several themes relevant to the life of Paul Robeson and the social, artistic, & political realities of the first half of the 20th century, identify and interview heroes in their communities, and publish...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Globe Skills Lesson 2: Paving the Way for Columbus

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Pupils explore the expedition of Christopher Columbus. In this geography skills lesson, students consider the technological advances that made Columbus's expedition possible as they complete a latitude and longitude activity.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Spiritual Space

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore Italian Renaissance artwork. In this visual arts lesson, students examine "Madonna, Saint Thomas Aquinas, and Saint Paul'" by Bernardo Daddi. High schoolers investigate the use of space, scale, and proportion in...