Harlem Renaissance
A WebQuest for 11th Grade English
Designed by
Amy Lack
This photo came from the website roaring20scush8.wikispaces.com
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits
Introduction
WELCOME TO THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE: The Harlem Renaissance is a period in
African-American history that was full of innovation and change for many African-Americans.
Many events during the Harlem Renaissance have influenced and affected the lives of many
today. The Harlem Renaissance was a time of fun and expression. Although the renaissance
was over 70 years ago, this virtual tour will allow you to see and hear the sights and sounds
of Harlem in the 1920's and 30's and you will experience a place where the people beamed with
pride and celebrated their heritage and culture.
Through this web-quest, students will gain a deeper understanding of the music, art, literature,
politics, and social movements of the Harlem Renaissance and its lasting impact.
The Task
The following are the roles that you will take on as you travel through your tour of the Harlem
Renaissance:
Poet/Writer: Describe the influence of writing on the Harlem
Renaissance and famous writers/poets.
Musician: Describe the music of the Harlem Renaissance and some of the
influential musical figures of this era.
Artist: Describe the influence of art on the Harlem Renaissance
and those artists who had an influence on this period.
Historian: Describe the Harlem Renaissance history and leadership
Your task in this Harlem Renaissance web-quest is to become an expert in your role of the webquest. You will then teach the others in your group what you learned.
The Process
To begin the process, you will need to do the following in order to stay on task:
1. Keep focused on the project at hand and be sure to answer all of the research
questions.
2. Work together.
3. Use your resources and time wisely.
Instructions
Find your role, and follow the instructions for your role. Remember your task is to become an
expert in that role and to teach the other members of your group.
Poet/Writer Instructions
USE THESE SITES FOR RESEARCH
http://www.redhotjazz.com/hughes.html
http://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/poets/g_l/hughes/hu
ghes.htm
http://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/poets/a_f/cullen/cull
en.htm
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/ccullen.htm
http://www.nku.edu/~diesmanj/cullen.html
Picture taken from Encyclopedia Britannica.
Questions to Research
1. Describe how literature played a big role during the Harlem Renaissance.
2. Why is the Harlem Renaissance remembered as one of the greatest literary movements?
3. Describe the life and influence of the following writer/poets of the Harlem Renaissance:
*Langston Hughes
*Countee Cullen
For each individual include a brief biography which would describe their life and influence
during the Harlem Renaissance.
4. Read and critique a poem written by either literary figure.
Musician Instructions
Bessie Smith
http://www.redhotjazz.com/bessie.html
http://mathrisc1.lunet.edu/blues/Bessie_Smith.html
http://www.pbs.org/jazz/biography/artist_id_smith_bessie.htm Bessie Smith
Duke Ellington
http://www.dukeellington.com/
Picture taken
from Encyclopedia
Britannica.
http://www.redhotjazz.com/duke.html
http://www.schirmer.com/composers/ellington_bio.html
Questions to Research
1. Describe how Jazz and the Blues influenced the Harlem Renaissance.
2. Explain what type of entertainment was found in Harlem during the
Renaissance.
3. Describe the life and influence of the following musicians of the Harlem
Renaissance:
*Duke Ellington
*Bessie Smith
For each individual, include a brief biography which would describe their
life and influence during the Harlem Renaissance.
4. Listen to the sound bytes of Duke Ellington and Bessie Smith and tell the
differences or similarities that you found in the different types of music.
Artist Instructions
USE THESE SITES FOR RESEARCH
http://www.lightfactory.org/james_zee.htm
http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/van_der_zee_james.html
http://newmedia.cgu.edu/jackson/takeuchi/image2.htm
http://newmedia.cgu.edu/jackson/takeuchi/image4.htm
http://www.harlem.eb.com/Douglas.htm
http://www.iniva.org/harlem/aaron.html
http://www.si.umich.edu/CHICO/Harlem/text/adouglas.html
http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/douglas_aaron.html
This is a photo taken by James Van Der Zee
This photo came from Encyclopedia Britannica.
Questions to Research
1. Describe the art experience of the Harlelm Renaissance.
2. Describe the life and influence of the following artist/photographer of the
Harlem Renaissance:
*James Van Der Zee
*Aaron Douglas
For each individual include a brief biography which would describe their
life and influence during the Harlem Renaissance.
3. Look at some of the art of the Harlem Renaissance and critique the mood
and style of the artwork or photograph.
Historian Instructions
USE THESE SITES FOR RESEARCH
http://www.nku.edu/~diesmanj/harlem.html
http://www.redhotjazz.com/hughes.html
http://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/poets/g_l/hughes/hughes.htm
http://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/poets/a_f/cullen/cullen.htm
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/ccullen.htm
http://www.nku.edu/~diesmanj/cullen.html
Picture taken from Encyclopedia Britannica.
Questions to Research
1. Describe how literature played a big role during the Harlem Renaissance.
2. Why is the Harlem Renaissance remembered as one of the greatest
literary movements?
3. Describe the life and influence of the following writer/poets of the Harlem
Renaissance:
*Langston Hughes
*Countee Cullen
For each individual, include a brief biography which would describe their
life and influence during the Harlem Renaissance.
4. Read and critique a poem written by either literary figure.
Evaluation
You will be given a grade based on your active participation in the web-quest.
Conclusion
Students will learn about the Harlem Renaissance and the influence of the Harlem Renaissance
through this web-quest.
Credits & References
Roles and Instructions by http://education.iupui.edu/webquests/harlem/index.htm
Based on a template from The WebQuest Page