Station #1: The Harlem Renaissance
As blacks migrated north, they adopted their own
culture, which became known as the Harlem
Renaissance. This new artistic movement included
painting, sculpture, music, and literature. The Harlem
Renaissance symbolized discrimination and racial
tensions facing African Americans in the 1920’s. At
this station, you are going to read and analyze two
Langton Hughes’ poems: I, Too and Dream Deferred.
Then, you will interpret artwork from the period by
two of the most famous Harlem Renaissance artists:
Aaron Douglas and William H. Johnson. Answer the
questions on your worksheet; please do not write on
the actual poems.
Station #2: 1920’s Slang
In the “roaring 20’s” a lot of people used slang to
express themselves. At this station, you are going to
translate the following sentences from 1920’s slang
to modern day meaning. Then, you are going to
create your own sentence using 1920’s slang. How
divine!
Station #3: 1920’s Film
One of the biggest advances of the 1920’s was the
development of motion pictures. In this station you
will read about the transition from silent films to
“talkies” and analyze how cinema effected American
culture during the decade.
Station #4: Jazz Music
Can you guess how the “Jazz Age” got its name? By
the popularization of Jazz!!! In station 4, you are
going to sit at Ms. Bruggeman’s computer and
listen/watch six clips from various Jazz musicians.
After you watch all the clips, answer the following
questions. Make sure you watch the ENTIRE clip and
play them in the CORRECT order. Do not switch to
full screen.
Clip 1 – Louis Armstrong “Hello Dolly”
Clip 2 – King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band
Clip 3 – Duke Ellington “It Don’t Mean a Thing”
Clip 4 – Duke Ellington “Take the A Train”
Clip 5 – Ella Fitzgerald: Scatting
Clip 6 – The 1920’s Dance Craze
Station #5: Jazz Age Journalism
This decade was also characterized by mass media
and tabloids. Many newspapers focused on stories
involving sex, crime, and celebrities. This was known
as “jazz-age journalism.” At this station, you are
going to see how the tabloid craze affected a popular
celebrity of the time, Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle. After
you read the handout, answer the following
questions.
Station #6: 1920’s Heroes
With the growing popularity of media, radio,
advertising, and magazines, heroes began to emerge
in the 1920’s. These heroes personified American
values and were idolized in 1920’s culture. In this
station, you are going to read about five important
heroes from the decade, and answer the questions on
your worksheet.
Station #7: The Lost Generation
Post-war America did not only focus on
modernization, fashion, fun, dance and music. Some
writers had different opinions on the changing
American values. These controversial authors
became known as “The Lost Generation.” Lost
Generation authors attacked America’s materialism
and questioned a society that placed more importance
on money and material goods than it did on
intellectual, spiritual, or artistic concerns. At this
station, you will read about “Lost Generation”
authors and analyze an excerpt from one of the most
famous Lost Generation stories from the 1920’s –
The Great Gatsby.