1. Do Now Take out your “Research Sheet” to be checked for participation credit By Tuesday, you should have your whole presentation planned. I will come around and ask: What are your three sources? What will you include as a visual element? What will you include as an interactive element? Then, in your writing notebook. Free write about one of these three topics: family, sports, or dreams

2. Common Issues in RSTs *FOLLOW THE RUBRIC (go through rubric together) Sloppiness/edit! Don't rush through a major assessment MLA format Rules for formatting/imbedding quotes/how to use internal citations Focus on the question! Don't get distracted Should be a little evidence, lots of explanation Explain everything as if the reader has never seen these sources

3. Popular Topics in African American Literature Family Trauma of enslavement (separation/displacement of families), exploration of personal history, sense of community, establishing identity Sports “Athletics are a universal language,” attempt at creating brotherhood among races through sports, sports were one of the first places where racial integration happened, Black people could succeed in sports and prove racist people wrong, many American athletes today are still black, basketball courts and other sports- related gatherings are still important to the African American communities around the country Dreams African American poetry contains many visions of a future with social justice and equality, Black influence on “The American Dream”

4. African American Poetry Activity Read your poem silently to yourself and then aloud as a group. Take your time with this step. Enjoy it. Talk about confusing parts. What do you think the poet is trying to say? Work as a group to answer the questions on the back of the poem. (May need to answer on a separate sheet of paper). When writing your own poem (for the last question), it should be at least 12 lines. Draw inspiration from your assigned poem. Take your time. Enjoy it.

5. Poetry Activity, Part 2 After all groups are done answering questions and everyone is working on his or her own poem… Each group will “teach” its poem to the class. Read the poem aloud Answer any of your classmates’ questions Explain what your group believes the poet is trying to say As a group, what is your favorite part of the poem and why? Talk about some of the poetic elements discussed in your questions (imagery, figurative language, rhythm, etc.)

6. Gwendolyn Brooks 1917-2000 American poet and teacher First black person to win the Pulitzer Prize in 1950

7. Yusef Komunyakaa 1947-Present American poet Teacher at NYU Winner of many poetry awards (including the Pulitzer Prize)

8. Langston Hughes 1902-1967 American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist One of the first “jazz poets” Leader of the Harlem Renaissance