1) Begin by asking students to access prior knowledge about African American history between the end of the Civil War and early the early 20th century. Provide students with an overview of the Harlem Renaissance.
2) Give background for HR—stress that because the people were now “middle class,” they had money and time for entertainment, and just like the kids of today, they wanted their own new entertainment.
3) Tell students that they are going to hear some jazz tunes by Duke Ellington, a famed musician and composer of the Harlem Renaissance. Play portions of each of the following songs from the Semester One CD:
a) “East St. Louis Toodle-oo”
b) “The Mooche”
c) “Mood Indigo”
d) A lindy hop piece
4) Ask students to describe the mood that each of the musical selections evokes. Ask students what each piece reminds them off (i.e., Looney Tunes, Old Movies, and Charlie Brown movies).
5) Ask students to listen for connections across varied disciplines as you read “Lindy Hop in Harlem: The Role of Social Dancing.” Bring up So You Think You Can Dance when talking about the lindy hop. Show students the Lindy Hop You tube movie. Ask them for their impressions. Were there any stereotypes presented? The dancing—WOW.
6) Now show students the art from the Harlem renaissance. Ask for their impressions and observations after every picture.
“Street Life, Harlem” by William H. Johnson
“Jeunesse” by Palmer Hayden
7) Ask students to share their responses to the paintings. These might include such things as the colors, mood, composition, and feelings the paintings express.
8) Use two or three poems about music and dancing on overhead. End by mentioning the schism in the renaissance between those who believed that art should only be used to promote the black race and those who wanted their art to just celebrate art. End the class period by putting I, Too, Sing America on the over head and reading it.
9) Have students predict how the Harlem Renaissance may have influenced life for African Americans both during and after that time. How and why do they think the Harlem Renaissance was important for the identity of black Americans then and now? What kind of impact did it have in American history?
Homework Collected: None
Homework Given: Occasional Paper due by December 7th, NWP – Post something by the middle of November - can be something you’ve already written.
Handouts given out: None
To Read: None
