To lay a solid foundation, the unit begins with two key categories: The Great Migration and The City of Harlem. Through hands-on exercises, students gain an immersive introduction to the period. These lesson plans serve as valuable tools in providing the necessary background and context for understanding the essence of the Harlem Renaissance.
The core lesson plans expose students to the diverse forms of expression that shaped this influential era. Visual Arts, Literary Arts, Musical Arts, and Social/Political Activism are each highlighted sections. By engaging with these various mediums and artists, students gain an understanding of the era's artistic, cultural, social, and political dynamics.
Students will participate in group and peer-based drama activities, complemented by class discussions and supporting worksheets that encourage critical thinking and foster interpersonal connections.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.1
Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.1
Cite specific textual evidence to support the analysis of primary and secondary sources.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.