Why Celebrate the Harlem Renaissance?

The Jordan Middle School community has chosen to celebrate a cross-disciplinary program based on the Harlem Renaissance. This era, which encompassed the 1920s and 1930s, was marked by creative lights in literature as well as dance, music, film and visual arts. The expression of an African American perspective and pride of heritage has emerged as central themes. The proposed program will culminate with a school-wide event in which students explore activities inspired by writers, artists and performers of the Harlem Renaissance. The celebration is meant to be a culminating event of a month of hands on activities, study and reflection, and a pursuit of cultural understanding.

During the month of October and prior to the event day seventh and eighth grade language arts curriculum will expand to include works by African American writers of the era. Physical Education teachers are implementing a short dance program with guest teacher, Anne Remsen, who is knowledgeable of swing and the lindy hop. Music teachers are introducing the jazz of African American musicians of the era. Art teachers are focusing on the collages of Romare Bearden and on the influences of African tribal masks on Harlem Renaissance painters. All Advisory teachers have receive packets of information and resources for teaching about the time period in their Advisory classes for the month of October. Resources include an art lesson with reproductions of Romare Bearden collages, CD of jazz music, bibliography of library resources, video of swing dancing, video that narrates what it was like to be an African American jazz musician playing for white audiences, accomplishments of African Americans to the U.S.

Jordan faculty envisions that the Harlem Renaissance program will become part of a three-year cycle of multi-cultural events, so that students will be enriched through hands on participation in three different cultural themes during their middle school years. Last year Jordan staged a popular Dia de los Muertos event for one day, complete with traditional foods, retablos and ofrendas (altars), folkloric entertainment, and strolling mariachis. Students learned about the traditional feast day in their Advisory and elective classes prior to the event. In addition to the cultural exposure, the cross-disciplinary festivities served to build a sense of community between departments, grades, and students of color.

It is hoped that a school-wide thematic arts experience based on the Harlem Renaissance could become a showcase for Palo Alto Unified.