Harlem Renaissance

Introduction

The Harlem Renaissance was a vibrant period full of art, music, poetry, and dance. The movement took place after World War I and before World War II. Black writers, photographers, artists, and musicians came to Harlem, New York to join the racial movement. 

During this project, students will conduct research, get in small groups, and create a presentation on their selected topic. The goal for this project is to teach students the history of the Harlem Renaissance and the impact that the movement had on African Americans in the United States.

Task

There will be four different groups: art, music, dance, and poetry. Each student will be assigned to a group, and the group will be required to complete a presentation. The groups are listed below.

Art

The art group will be required to complete a presentation about the most famous artists and their works from this period. Each student will be assigned an artist to research.

Music

The music group will also have a presentation to complete. Each student will have their own musician to research and present.

Dance

During this time in history, many dances became about. This group will be required to reenact one of the dances or complete a project on the most popular dances during this period.

Poetry

Each student will be assigned a poem and required to analyze it. Also, the students have to research the poet, and create a presentation on the person.

Process

Art

  1. Individual research
  2. Come together and share the information
  3. The students will be assigned an artist.
  4. Research will be conducted (Name of work and artist? Born? Died? Like and dislike? Other famous pieces? Picture of work)
  5. All of the information will be added to one power point.
  6. Present in front of the class.

Music 

  1. Individual research
  2. Come together and share information
  3. The students will be assigned a musician.
  4. Research will be conducted (Name of work and artist? Born? Died? Like and dislike? Other famous songs? Audio of song)
  5. All of the information will be added to one power point.
  6. Present in front of class.

Dance

  1. Individual research
  2. Come together and share information
  3. The students will reenact a dance from the period. 
  4. The students will be required to complete a project on two of the famous dances.
  5. All of the information will be added to one power point.
  6. Present in front of the class.

*Three and four are two different options that the students will get to choose between.

Poetry

  1. Individual research
  2. Come together and share information
  3. The students will be assigned a poem.
  4. The students will analyze the poem.
  5. Each student will read their poem in front of the class and explain what it is about.

Evaluation

The students will be graded on the completion of each step. The research will be monitored, and I will personally help anybody that needs it along the way. The students will be asked to help each team member before coming to the teacher. At the end of the project, the team will grade each other on their work ethic and how much things were accomplished during the project.

Conclusion

Each topic will be briefly explained again. The students will get the chance to clarify anything that was not completely clear during the presentations. The artists and musicians will not be explained again. All of the questions will be based on the topic as a whole.

Credits

Wormser, Richard. “The Harlem Renaissance.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 2002, www.pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/stories_events_harlem.html.

Carroll, Maureen. “A Harlem Renaissance Retrospective: Connecting Art, Music, Dance, and Poetry - ReadWriteThink.” Readwritethink.org, International Literacy Association, 2017, www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/harlem-renaissa….

Teacher Page

State standards that will be discussed

The student will routinely use digital tools for publication, communication and productivity.

Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.

Comprehension and Collaboration

Work with peers to set rules for collegial discussions and decision-making (e.g., informal consensus, taking votes on key issues, presentation of alternate views), clear goals and deadlines, and individual roles as needed.

Presentation

Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and task.

Materials

The students will need laptops, which are given by the school. No other materials are needed because the project is strictly online.