A Thousand Words

by LaFrae Sci

level: Introductory

30 minutes

The Harlem Renaissance, The Great Migration

Message from the creator Begin lesson

Lesson Tool Kit

Materials Needed

Jacob Lawrence Great Migration Series Panel 1

pen and paper

Langston Hughes poems

"Harlem"

"One-Way Ticket"

One-Way Ticket illustration by Jacob Lawrence (from MoMA catalogue).

projector or smart board

chalk or whiteboard

Prework

Unpack with your students an understanding of the driving forces behind the mass movement of the Great Migration, and the definition of self-actualization: the realization or fulfillment of one's talents and potentialities, especially considered as a drive or need present in everyone.

Objectives

Explore the connection between two prominent artists and artworks of the Harlem Renaissance

Identify major themes portrayed by these artists

Essential Questions

How do we inspire our students to embrace the art of collaboration?

How do we engage students around art inspired by the significant cultural shifting events like the Great Migration?

How can we explore prominent artists and artworks of the Harlem Renaissance and identify major themes portrayed by these artists?

It is often said that a picture is worth a thousand words. The painter Jacob Lawrence used his paintbrush to tell a story, while poet Langston Hughes used his words to paint a picture.

This lesson invites our students into conversation around self actualization and creative collaboration between Jacob Lawrence and Langston Hughes, two heavyweight creatives that helped define the historical movement known as the Harlem Renaissance.

This lesson can be utilized to support history, social studies, Black history, art appreciation and advisory curriculums.