Harlem Renaissance Activities - Escape Room (paper + digital) - Black History

Make learning fun with this Harlem Renaissance activity! Your students will learn about the historical context of the Harlem Renaissance as well as famous figures. This is reading-heavy and "true history," but a great addition to Black History Month or National Poetry Month.

Use this Harlem Renaissance Activity for:

✅ ELA or Social Studies

✅ Your poetry unit or National Poetry Month

✅ Black History Month

This Harlem Renaissance activity is the perfect way to introduce your students to the era. It has a Great Migration Journal Entry Sort, Famous Figures Biographies and photos, a Prohibition Close Reading activity, and a secret poem. This activity has been designed to take 40-50 minutes for on-level 9th graders. See more about timing below. 

Included in this Harlem Renaissance Activity:

⭐️Harlem Renaissance Introduction Escape Room (paper) - Black History

⭐️Harlem Renaissance Introduction Escape Room (digital) - Black History

This Harlem Renaissance escape room combo allows teachers to present an escape room digitally or on paper to introduce the Harlem Renaissance! The paper version can be set up as stations or groups can receive the materials as a lump package. In both versions, students read the texts and collect clues to get all of the code words needed to solve the secret poem.

Here’s what you will get:

✅ Four core tasks with instructions and clues

• The Great Migration Journal Entries
• Close Reading: The Prohibition & The Cotton Club (two levels of difficulty)
• Harlem Renaissance Personalities portraits, bios, and quiz
• Secret Poem

✅ Writing extensions (either analytical or personal responses)

✅ Optional discussion and research

✅ Station Cards

✅ "Band's On Break" cards (for optional increased difficulty)

✅ Student Answer Sheets

✅ A full Teacher's Guide with set-up options, a printing checklist, and an Answer Key

✅ A poster for your door 

❤️ All profits go to the National Museum of African American History and Culture!

Download the preview for more information!

Praise for this resource:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "This is a highly engaging, detailed lesson on the Harlem Renaissance. It provides students with an overview on many different aspects of the era, covering historical background as well as specific artists. Students will definitely enjoy the variety of puzzles and tasks." - Samantha H.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "A culturally-sensitive resource that avoids some of the 'rosy' accounts of the era." -Gambria L., 10th grade teacher

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "This creative and engaging resource provides a historical foundation for students that not only sheds light on the great names of the Harlem Renaissance, but also opens up a door to discuss race in America." -Paige H., 10th & 11th grade teacher

❤️ Since your students looove puzzles, take a look at my Team Trivia Bellringers!

A Word About Timing: 

This resource has wide appeal and placement in curricula, so it's up to you how long to spend on the activity. With 9th graders in a regular class, I'd plan on 40-50 minutes. I had a 7th grade and 10th grade teacher test it, and they both said they would have been better off splitting it into two class periods (leaving the Secret Poem and the Extensions for Day 2). 

There is a lot of reading in this Escape Room, so it really depends on what fits your classroom. As with any Escape Room activity, I recommend that you play through it on your own first before presenting it to your students.

Feedback & Followers

Did you know that you can receive credit towards future TpT purchases by reviewing this product? If you enjoy this product, please leave a review at the product page or through “My Purchases” under “My Account” at TpT. Ratings make the TpT world go round. :)

You can also follow me for the latest news on products and sales.

If you have any questions, I’d love to hear from you!

-Danielle @ Nouvelle ELA