AUTHOR CONNECTIONS:
Catherine Clinton has taught African American
Studies at Brandeis University, Brown University and is a fellow at the Du Bois
Institute at Harvard University. The author of ten books, she lives in Connecticut
with her husband, two sons, and their dog. Clinton may be reached by email at
redhead2@idt.net and her web site is at
http://www.catherineclinton.com/
CURRICULAR CONNECTIONS:
 To
further the African-American perspective heard on I, Too, Sing America,
have students research Asian American, Hispanic American, Native American and
other multicultural verse. Students will develop oral presentations. Pattern the
format of the students' presentations after the style heard on the tape. For example,
the students write a short biographical essay about the poet, including the historical
context in which the poem was written. Finally, just like the audiobook, students
will narrate their biographical essays and read selected poems.
In
the introduction to I, Too, Sing America, Catherine Clinton states the
African American poems selected "reflect themes of exclusion" and "tales of discrimination." Students will compose analytical essays that discuss whether they observe such
themes of exclusion and discrimination in the poems discussed in the above exercise.
Listen for specific examples taking time to discuss cultural themes and subject
matter. Compare and contrast the themes in the multicultural poetry.
After
listening to the audiobook, I, Too, Sing America, have the class divide
into small groups. Each group chooses one poem from the selections. Consider both
the literal and figurative interpretations of the verse. Discuss with the students
the differences between literal and figurative interpretations. Divide paper into
two columns to visually compare the interpretations.
Students
will present selections from I, Too, Sing America at a small school assembly
or a recitation day. Set the poem in its historical context by role playing and
dressing in attire the poet may have worn. Simple props are appropriate and may
enhance the telling. Video their oration.
Elements,
such as rhythm and rhyme or other sound patterns, repetition, and imagery are
evident in some poems. Listen to George Moses Horton's poem "On Liberty and Slavery"
and Frances Ellen Watkins Harper's verse "Bury Me in a Free Land." Do the poets
include rhythm or rhyme? Note what words they choose to rhyme. Do these words
convey a mood or a feeling in the poem? Is there repetition in these two poems?
Where?
INTERNET CONNECTIONS:
 The
African American Odyssey: A Quest for Full Citizenship
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/aaohtml/exhibit/aointro.html
The African American collections found at the Library of Congress offer a
wealth of primary resources, such as books, government documents, manuscripts,
musical scores, plays, and films. The exhibit examines black America's quest for
equality from slavery through the twentieth century.
AFRO-American
Almanac
http://www.toptags.com/aama/index.htm
The Web site offers a view of the African American culture from slavery through
the Civil War to present day. A wealth of historical documents, speeches, letters,
folktales, and biographical essays are available.
The
Academy of American Poets
http://www.poets.org/
Find a poetry link that includes "Find a Poet," an alphabetical list
of poets, their poetry, and in many cases audio clips of the poet's reading. Locate
information about National Poetry Month, Literary Links, and resources.
Africans
in America
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/home.html
A companion site to a public television series, "Africans in America," chronicles the history of slavery in the United States from the beginnings of
the Atlantic Slave trade in the 16th century to the end of the Civil War in the
mid-nineteenth century. Original historical documents and commentary from contemporary
scholars enrich the site.
FOR
FURTHER LISTENING AND READING:
 THE
NIKKI GIOVANNI POETRY COLLECTION - featuring the poet reading. Two cassettes
available from Audio Bookshelf.
ASHLEY
BRYAN: Poems and Folktales by Ashley Bryan. Celebrate Bryan's evocative poetry
and animated retelling of four African folktales.
Find this UNABRIDGED AUDIOBOOK
on our Audiobooks By Title Page.
LANGSTON
HUGHES READS by Langston Hughes. Listen to Hughes's powerful reading in the historical
recording.
UNABRIDGED AUDIO available from Audio Bookshelf
 THE
MAYA ANGELOU POETRY COLLECTION read by the author. The collection features Angelou's
books of poetry Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ÔFore I Die; I Shall
Not Be Moved, and Oh, Pray My Wings Are Gonna Fit Me Well as well as
the Inaugural Poem On the Pulse of the Morning.
UNABRIDGED AUDIOS
available from Audio Bookshelf
Jump
Back, Honey: The Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar (Hyperion, 1999) by Paul Laurence
Dunbar. Selected by Ashley Bryan and Andrea Davis Pinkney. Ashley Bryan is one
of six leading illustrators that contributed to this superlative collection.
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