Introduction
The 3rd module in our 7th grade English curriculum explores the Harlem Renaissance. Many of my students come to the unit with no prior knowledge of this prolific artistic, cultural, and social movement, which is woven into the very fabric of American history and literature. With increased introduction to the lives of the artists of the Harlem Renaissance, students would better understand the movement’s significance. Additionally, they could see how art has been used as a form of activism. James Weldon Johnson and August Savage, key contributors to the Harlem Renaissance, railed against the status quo and actively participated in social movements calling for equal economic opportunity, political empowerment, and self-determination for African-Americans.
For this unit, students will read experts from Johnson’s autobiography, Along This Way, and the biography, Augusta Savage: Renaissance Woman, about the life and work of the sculptress. Through his autobiography, students will explore Johnson’s leadership in the anti-lynching movement and the fight for African-American enfranchisement. Similarly, a close reading of Savage’s biography will help students understand how her protests against both racial and gender discrimination in the arts paved the way for many modern artists who use their platforms for social commentary. Other books and scholarly articles will supplement the anchor texts to support students’ lateral thinking skills.
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