A Literary Leaf for Poetry for Young People: Langston Hughes

This is a 15-session Literary Leaf for Poetry for Young People: Langston Hughes by Benny Andrews which covers all aspects of the Upper Key Stage 2 content domains.  Children will begin by examining their understanding of black history in America, particularly in relation to segregation, and how their previous knowledge fits with new historical facts they are presented with.  Through the series of lessons children will consider definitions of key terms in context and discover how poetic conventions help to convery a message powerfully.  There will be opportunities for children to practise answering a range of comprehension questions as well as to express thier opinions about the particular events presented through the text.  There are also extension tasks which could lead to additional writing outcomes.

Synopsis of Text:

We chose this text as a Literary Leaf as it presents children with an essential opportunity to study a particular period in black history. Showcasing the extraordinary Langston Hughes, the anthology is edited by two leading poetry experts and features quality artwork by Benny Andrews that adds rich dimension to the words. Hughes's powerful words still resonate today and the poems collected in this anthology will allow children to discover one of the greatest voices in black history.