Lesson 4.05 - Harlem Renaissance

  

OBJECTIVE

 
This lesson will let students describe the Harlem Renaissance and new trends of literature, music, and art.

GUIDING QUESTION
What was the Harlem Renaissance?


DISCUSSION
In the early 1900s, particularly in the 1920s, African-American literature, art, music, dance, and social commentary began to flourish in Harlem, a section of New York City. This African-American cultural movement became known as "The New Negro Movement" and later as the Harlem Renaissance. More than a literary movement, the Harlem Renaissance exalted the unique culture of African-

Americans and redefined African-American expression. African-Americans were encouraged to celebrate their heritage.The main factors contributing to the Harlem Renaissance were urban migration, trends towards experimentation throughout the country, and the rise of radical African-American intellectuals.  . The Harlem Renaissance transformed African-American identity and history, but it also transformed American culture in general. Never before had so many Americans read the thoughts of African-Americans and embraced the African-American community's productions, expressions, and style.

YOUR TASK

To learn about three important people from the Harlem Renaissance – a writer, an artist, and a musician.  Showing a person’s importance in history can be accomplished in a visual project called a “Biography Board.”  You may have done these in previous grade levels in a poster format.  For this assignment, you’ll do the same concept in “Word format.”  As you complete this project in Word, use the “table” function.  (If you’re not sure how to use “tables”, open a Word document, go to the help menu and type in “tables”.)  You can decide the number of tables you will need.

As you complete your three “bio board” keep in mind the bio board requirements:

Biography Board Assignment

A “Bio Board” is simply a visual representation of a person’s biography.  Bio boards can be displayed on construction paper, poster board, web page or in a word document.  Click here to see a sample page.

Include the following in your biography board (no more than two pages per person):

  • Title on top of page – In Bold font larger than the rest of the board.
  • A “lead in question” about the person.
  • Quote from the individual.
  • Picture of the Person & (Optional:  Picture of the person in action).
  • One paragraph summary about this person’s life.
  • One paragraph summary of this person’s importance in history and the role he/she played in the Harlem Renaissance.
  • Timeline of at least 5 important events in this person’s life.
  • List three questions that can be answered by reading your “bio board.”

 

Useful Harlem Renaissance Websites:

 

 

 Assignment 4.05 - Harlem Renaissance
  1. Complete three “Bio Boards”.   See the Bio board sample below and make sure it follows the format covered above.  (Choose 1 writer, 1 artist and 1 musician from the Harlem Renaissance – that makes a total of 3 people).  Clearly label each of the people for your Bio Boards – put them all into one Word document – should not be any longer than 7 pages (up to two pages per individual).
  2. Go to the Assignment Area and click on “View/Complete Assignment – 4.05 – Harlem Renaissance”.  Attach your Word document and click “Submit”.

 

  

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