This bundle collects four different lessons on the poetry, short stories, and rhetoric of the Harlem Renaissance forming a three-week unit plan that is virtually zero prep, print ready, and Google Slides compatible.

During this unit, your students will:

• Study the poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar, Claude McKay, and Langston Hughes with questions embedded in the text of each poem that will guide your students to a comprehensive understanding of each poet!
  • The full text of each Dunbar and McKay poem is included. For each Hughes poem, I have left an area where you can add the text of the poem if you have the permission to do so!

• Study two of Zora Neale Hurston's classic short stories. "Sweat" and "Spunk" will capture your students' attention, make them laugh, and provoke all manner of discussion.
  • The complete text of both stories is included!

• Study the rhetoric of Booker T. Washington's "Atlanta Compromise" speech and Du Bois's essay response from The Souls of Black Folk in print-ready format with rhetoric-based questions embedded in the texts!

Each of these lessons can be taught in any order, and in doing so you will cover not only the depth and breadth of The Harlem Renaissance, but also formatively assess almost every 11-12.RI and 11-12.RL standard!

The activities included in each lesson are as follows:

The poems of the Harlem Renaissance:

• Questions for the poems mentioned above (and the text of each poem as noted)
• 3 pages of fillable poetry notes covering 18 poetic terms and devices
• A vocabulary chart introducing your students to 10 new words and etymologies
• A 20 question multiple choice assessment based on language standards
• 1 research prompt with rubric and sample outline
• Complete answer keys for all questions and assessments
• A teaching guide recommending at least 5 days of lessons

The short stories of Zora Neale Hurston:

• Brief lecture notes on the essential elements and themes of the story
• 3 Pre-reading journal prompts
• A vocabulary chart covering the etymologies of 5 crucial words
• 5 thorough comprehension questions
• 2 "About Me" character charts (Great for visual learners!)
• A figurative language chart covering 8 examples of Hurston's rich use of language
• A theme activity
• A 5 question multiple-choice assessment anchored to RL.1 and RL.2 standards
• 3 essay prompts
• A teaching guide recommending 4 days of lessons
• Answer keys and rubric
• Story Text Included

The rhetoric of W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington:

• The text of Washington's "Atlanta Compromise" speech with embedded questions
• The text of Du Bois's response essay from The Souls of Black Folk with embedded questions
• 4 pages of fillable rhetoric notes covering 18 rhetorical terms and devices
• 2 vocabulary charts introducing your students to 20 new words and etymologies
• 2 vocabulary quizzes covering vocabulary from Washington and Du Bois
• 2 essay prompts with rubric
• Complete answer keys for all questions and assessments
• A teaching guide recommending at least 5 days of lessons

Add a hassle-free unit on The Harlem Renaissance to your American Literature curriculum today! This bundle will challenge your students, excite their curiosity, and most importantly assess their learning.