Objectives
This unit may intertwine with an existing course in African American Literature, or it can be adapted to an American Literature course, provided that there is a representative body of work by African Americans on the reading list.
Students will create journals that will contain reflective and analytical writing as well as substantial visuals for each work of literature they study. In addition, several journal entries will establish the students' own ideas about what makes "home." A detailed list of journal entries appears later in this unit in "Resources."
Students will research the African American diaspora as it relates to the United States. This will include reading slave narratives on the Internet and in the library to gain an understanding of the choices and dilemmas faced by newly-emancipated slaves.
Students will read novels and plays in which "home" is a strong thematic strand. These works include poems by Lucy Terry and Phillis Wheatley, Toni Morrison's A Mercy, Pearl Cleage's play Flyin' West, August Wilson's play Gem of the Ocean, Ralph Ellison's novel Invisible Man, and Toni Morrison's novel Song of Solomon.
For the culminating project, students will create posters that will include both text and visuals relating to the theme of home. They will also write a "Home Bill of Rights," and write an artist's statement for the poster. The posters will then be laminated so the students can take them along when setting up their new "homes" at college. This project will be evaluated based on completion and thoroughness of journal entries, completion and execution of the poster, the "Home Bill of Rights" and the artist's statement for the poster.
This unit may be spread over a school year, or it may be adapted for a shorter period of time. As written, it is meant to be infused in an already existing curriculum. It could be abridged and made into its own unit, using Flyin' West and Song of Solomon as core pieces of literature.
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