Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen were poets during this period and were inspired to write poetry from their African-American heritage, jazz music and family storytelling. Ask the students to speak to their own parents and relatives about their history and backgrounds. Use the information to create a narrative poem about important events in their lives and their families. Group the children in a circle to read the finished poems.
William H. Johnson and Aaron Douglas were two important painters during the period. They were inspired by their slave roots and African-American experience for their paintings. The entire fifth grade class can design a mural featuring the works of Harlem Renaissance artists for African-American history month in February. Sketch a mural combining different paintings for a wall at school either inside or outside. Paint the mural with acrylic paints and celebrate its completion with the entire school.
Listen to jazz from musicians, such as Duke Ellington, Bessie Smith and Louis Armstrong. Ask the students to describe the mood each tune evokes. During this period, artists of all fields influenced each other. Set out paper, paints and air-dry clay for the fifth graders. While listening to the music, the children work on their own art projects inspired by the jazz. Critique the artwork together at the end of class and ask the students how the music effected their work.
After learning about the Harlem Renaissance, the children can go on a field trip to a local art museum. Any type of exhibit can be viewed. Before the trip, discuss with the children the background to the exhibit and what influenced the artists. At the museum, children should talk about what constitutes a good exhibit and each child chooses an artwork to research and present to the rest of the class. Bearing in mind to the artists of the Harlem Renaissance, children can explain similarities and differences with those artists and the ones from the museum exhibition. If it is a contemporary art show, ask the children if the Harlem artists influenced the recent artists.