Langston Hughes Unit
by Kristen Corbi
Dolan Middle School, Stamford, CT

Langston Hughes Unit

Day 1
1. Journal Question: Read "Dreams" and discuss
2. Give background on Hughes and the Harlem Renaissance
3. Read Biography and discuss briefly.  How might the experiences of his life have affected his writing?
4. Begin reading "Thank You, M'am."  Background: the story of a boy who tries to steal an older woman's purse, and who ends up learning a good lesson
5. Brainstorm: what are some actions an adult could take on a child who tries to steal from him/her?

Day 2
1.  Warm-up: List all of the kind things Mrs. Jones did for Roger.  Which was the kindest?
2. Questions sheet w/ a partner and discuss.  Conclude discussion of story.

Day 3
1. Read "Mother to Son" (silently, then me, then a volunteer)
2. Questions individually and discuss
3. On the back of page (EC), write a comparison "life is like…"

Day 4
1. Warm-up: Name one quality you admire about a person.  Why is this an important quality to have?
2. Begin reading "Gumption"-a story told by a working man's wife.  She's talking about a quality she admires in some of their neighbors…a quality her husband does not have

Day 5
1. Finish story individually and answer questions (approx. 25 min)
2. Review for quiz

Day 6
Hughes quiz

Day 7 (at a later date)
1. After introduction to comparison and contrast writing, assign the C/C essay on "Mother to Son" and "Thank You, M'am."  
2. Give worksheet.  Decipher each woman's message in the two stories.

Message from Mrs. Jones in "TYM"
· work for what you want honestly
· trust is important
· dishonesty will not be rewarded
· my life was hard and I did bad things too

Message from Mom in "MTS"
· keep working/climbing to a better life
· don't give up
· life is hard but you have to live it

3. Take the info and put it in a Venn Diagram.  The Venn becomes the outline for your paragraphs.
4. Write intro sentences in class and check.

Day 8
Write drafts in class and have individual conferences

Day 9
Peer editing

Final copies due in several days.




Email me at kristenjean77@yahoo.com if you would like copies of any accompanying handout!