Music of the Harlem Renaissance

November 1, 2017

Standard: 

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.11-12.3

Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.10

By the end of grade 11, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 11-CCR text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.

EQ: Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in Harlem Renaissance poetry and songs, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening.

Independently read and comprehend poems with scaffolding as needed.

Starter: 

Compare the poem you selected from StudySync to I, Too and From the Dark Tower. 

What similarities or differences exist between all three?

*Consider the main ideas, structure, connections to time period, etc. 

Vocabulary:

Word: Jazz

Part of Speech: Noun

Dictionary Definition: a type of music of black American origin characterized by improvisation, syncopation, and usually a regular or forceful rhythm, emerging at the beginning of the 20th century. Brass and woodwind instruments and piano are particularly associated with jazz, although guitar and occasionally violin are also used; styles include Dixieland, swing, bebop, and free jazz.

Your Definition: 

Activity: Find an image that relates to the jazz age. 

Activity: 

1.  Group Discussion

Get together in groups based on the poem that you selected.

With your group members, share your analysis and responses to the focus questions. 

Consider elaborating and expanding on your ideas based on what others share. 

Then, collaborate on presenting this information to the other group.

2.  Strange Fruit by Billie Holiday 

Listen to the song and reflect on the tone of voice in which it is sung.  

Strange Fruit Lyrics 

Use the lyrics to complete a TPCASTT for this iconic song.

Then, read the article The Strange Story of the Man Behind Strange Fruit from NPR.

3.  TPEQEA

Analyze the significance of the meaning of Strange Fruit by Billie Holiday during its time period.

Closure: 

How confident do you feel analyzing poetry?
Use the learning target to evaluate yourself.
Explain your reasoning.