Academy of American Poets
Teach This Poem: "Black Laws" by Roger Reeves
After investigating the Black Lives Matter movement, class members do a close read of Roger Reeves' "Black Laws." They write down words and phrases that rhyme, consider the kinds of rhymes used and their function in the poem. Scholars...
PBS
Write a New Year Poem Inspired by Amanda Gorman’s "New Day’s Lyric"
Here's a new take on a new year. After watching and discussing the video of Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman performing her "New Day's Lyric," young poets craft poems that reflect their feelings about the past year and their resolutions...
Library of Congress
The Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance brought forth many American art forms including jazz, and the writings of Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes. Using a carefully curated set of documents from the Library of Congress, pupils see the cultural...
Digital Public Library of America
A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
A set of 14 primary sources provides background for a study of Lorraine Hansberry's drama, A Raisin in the Sun. Featured are images from stage productions of the play, white supremacy protests, a clip from a television interview, and...
Education World
Every Day Edit - Gwendolyn Brooks, Poet
In this editing worksheet about Gwendolyn Brooks, young writers read and then correct grammatical mistakes in a short paragraph. The errors range from punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and grammar.
PBS
Heart to Heart
Study heart health and math in one activity. After measuring their resting heart rates by finding the pulse in their wrists, learners build a stethoscope to listen to their heart rate, and note the differences between the two methods.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Anne Spencer
In-depth site on Anne Spencer including an extensive biography of this famous Harlem Renaissance poet. Detailed information on her works, education, and contemporaries. Numerous photographs. Some of her poems are also included.
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.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872 1906)
This excellent site provides a biography, critical commentary on several poems, examples of Dunbar's illustrated work, images and the text of several poems.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Claude Mc Kay
A biography and analysis of the life of the famous author, as well as literary criticism as well as online poems, letters and a bibliography. Includes many quotes and his poetry.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry:gwendolyn Bennett
This page offers a biography of Gwendolyn Bennet, as well as critical essays on some poems. Includes a picture.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Sterling A. Brown (1901 1989)
An extensive look at the life and works of Sterling A. Brown of the Harlem Renaissance. With links to specific poems and analysis, a biography, and related topics.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Claude Mc Kay's Life
A concise and in-depth biography of the American poet known as Claude McKay (1890-1948 CE). McKay was one of the key members of The Harlem Renaissance Movement.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: "Letter From Spain"
This site from Modern American Poetry provides a review of the famous poem by Langston Hughes. The information that is provided is somewhat brief, but factual, and worth checking out.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: On "The Weary Blues"
This site features four different reviews of Langston Hughes' debut award winning volume of poems "Weary Blues". Compiled by the University of Illinois.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Early Childhood Today: Soulful Festival
Provides early childhood education activities that engage African American culture. Poetry, music, foods, and more are included.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Phillis Wheatley, Poet
A brief look at the fascinating life of African American poet, Phillis Wheatley. Provides two portraits, and a sample page from Wheatley's collection of poems.
Other
Uncle Remus
This site offers a collection of 35 "Uncle Remus" stories, written by Joel Chandler Harris. In addition, many of Harris's songs and poems are gathered here, and some analysis of his work.
Shmoop University
Shmoop: Parsley
Read about the poem, Parsley, by African American poet, Rita Dove. This site goes into detail examing the poem and its signifciance.
Other
Database of Award Winning Children's Literature
This is a phenomenal resource. It allows the user to create a reading list of quality children's literature based of choices such as reading level, type of book, genre, ethnicity, gender, etc. In addition, one can determine if a book won...
University at Buffalo
University at Buffalo: Jean Toomer Unpublished Works
You can see the texts of unpublished works at this site.
University of Virginia Library
Prism: "Kentucke" Visualization
[Free Registration/Login Required] Read Frank X. Walker's "Kentucke" and highlight details that are neutral in blue, African-American in red, and Appalachian in green. When finished, click save to see how others marked the text as well.