Langston Hughes
Monday, February 4th by Carla| Black History Month is a good time to celebrate African-American writers. (Actually, ANY time is a good time to celebrate writers and writing, but I’ll save that for another time.) The Academy of American Poets has an audio file of Langston Hughes reading “The Negro Speaks of Rivers.” Hughes discusses his inspiration for this early poem, written while he was traveling. |
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I found myself wondering whether this poem might work as a mentor text or as a model to encourage students to think beyond poetry as a strict rhythm-and-rhyme experience. The process would be the same simple and profound experience Hughes had, taking the impulse of the moment and making connections to something greater, moving from the concrete to the abstract. Each student could find something to help them make the connection.
Younger students:
Older students:
Athletes:
Teachers:
Bloggers:
If you try this, I’d love to hear how it works for you! |
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February 5th, 2008 at 8:11 am
Carla,
I teach a Harlem Renaissance unit every year. I’ve already finished it, but I will definately give this a try next year. My students generally love to create poetry, especially when they have prompts or “nudges” to get their creative juices flowing.
February 17th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
This is a great idea, Carla, and I would like to integrate it into my HR unit. Thanks for always pushing us to be our best.
February 20th, 2008 at 11:30 am
I am doing my student teaching this semester. In April, I will begin a poetry workshop with my 8th graders & I was looking for something to do on the Harlem Renaissance & Langston Hughes. I will definitley find a way to incorporate this. Thanks!