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Recommended for: Grades 6-12

Resource: The Negro Speaks of Rivers

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Media Type:
QuickTime Video

Length: 0m 58s
Size: 2.5 MB

This segment from A Walk Through Harlem presents the poem, "The Negro Speaks of Rivers,” written by Langston Hughes in 1922 when he was eighteen years old. Born in Joplin, Missouri, Hughes traveled to New York City in the 1920s to become a part of an exciting arts and culture movement called the Harlem Renaissance. He later became known as the "poet laureate of Harlem." Hughes was one of the first African American writers who wrote stories about the authentic experiences of his people reflecting their pain, suffering, humor, creativity, and joy. He often was inspired by music and incorporated it into his poetry. Hughes made substantial artistic contributions to the Harlem Renaissance and holds an important place in American literature.

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Transcript (Rich Text Format Document)

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Teachers' Domain, The Negro Speaks of Rivers, published October 10, 2008, retrieved on ,
http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/vtl07.la.ws.style.rivers/

Frame and Focus
Follow Up
Connections
Standards

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The following Frame, Focus and Follow-up suggestions are best suited for middle school students using this video in an English language arts or social studies lesson. Be sure to modify the questions to meet your students' instructional needs.

What is Frame, Focus and Follow-up?

Frame (ELA) What is imagery? How would you determine the theme of a poem?

Focus (ELA) Listen to the reading of “The Negro Speaks of Rivers.” As you listen, think about the imagery. Do the descriptions in the poem translate into meaning for you? What do you think is the theme?

Frame (SS) What do you know about the period of time in which Langston Hughes began writing? Why is Langston Hughes considered an important American poet?

Focus (SS) Describe the attitude of the speaker in the poem. Do you think Langston Hughes is the speaker? How is the attitude of the speaker indicative of the period in which the poem was written?