Conclusion for Teachers

The two main questions your students should be able to answer are:

• "Why was the Harlem Renaissance so important?"
• "How did the individuals you researched contribute to the rebirth of the arts?"

After completion of this WebQuest, your students will have had a solid introduction to some important figures of the Harlem Renaissance. It is our hope that you do not stop here, but continue to explore this vibrant topic.

To give an example, our students will be reading some short biographies, poetry, folktales, and a novel that takes place during the Harlem Renaissance. They will write creatively and journal about what they are learning. In Social Studies, students will discuss the connections between the social conditions of the time and the art which came out of the Harlem Renaissance. The question "Why Harlem?" will tie into a discussion of the Great Migration. We will explore different historical views of how African Americans could improve their position in society, focusing on the debate between W.E.B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington. A guest speaker from the NAACP will answer questions from the students about the impact that group has had on race relations since its formation during the Harlem Renaissance, and offer opportunities for students to become involved in social action in their community. At the end of this focused study unit, our class will present an Arts Fair for the school and their parents, displaying all the creative work they have done, including poetry and choral readings, skits and re-enactments of stories, music and dancing, and many visual arts displays.

As this WebQuest activity draws to a close, stop to reflect on what worked well, what could be improved, and most importantly, whether the activity sparked student interest and fostered learning. Students will be completing a reflection questionnaire. It might be productive for the teacher to answer the questionnaire as well, adapting it to his or her viewpoint.