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Presenter view · Grades 1–2 · Homeroom / General

Stories of a Great Journey

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Before you start

Materials

  • Device to play a short audio clip of Bessie Smith or Louis Armstrong (freely available on YouTube or Smithsonian Folkways)
  • Simple projected or printed US map showing Southern states and New York
  • Differentiated student handouts (Green / Yellow / Red) — print one per student before class
  • Crayons or colored pencils for drawing activities

On the classroom screen

MThe Harlem RenaissanceStories of a Great Journey

Lesson · Grades 1–2 · Homeroom / General

Stories of a Great Journey

Students will learn that the Harlem Renaissance grew from the Great Migration — a great journey of Black families moving north — and that the people who made that journey created music, stories, and art that changed America. They will connect this to their own experiences of change and discover that ordinary people can do extraordinary things.

30minutes

Press Start when the class is ready

Hook 5 minThe big move 8 minActivity 12 minClosing 5 min

Up next

A song from far away 5 min

Play 60 seconds of Bessie Smith or a Harlem-era jazz recording. Let students simply listen with eyes closed.

Ready

30:00

Print

  • Green Level handout More Support (PDF, opens in a new tab)
  • Yellow Level handout Grade Level (PDF, opens in a new tab)
  • Red Level handout Go Deeper (PDF, opens in a new tab)
  • Poster 1 Projector mode (opens in a new tab)
  • Lesson plan Teacher (PDF, opens in a new tab)

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