Resources for Teaching A Raisin in the Sun

Springbrook High School Media Center

Background Reading and Viewing

Lorraine Hansberry; The Black Experience in the Creation of Drama VIDEO 35 minutes. (812 HAN)

Focuses on life and work of Hansberry.

 

By River, By Rail VIDEO 22 minutes (305.896 BYR)

Describes the migration of blacks from the South to the North in the early 20th century.

 

Literature and Its Times. BOOK (809.93 LIT) Vol. 4 p. 309 Refresher reading for teachers about the novel's context:

Events in History at the Time the Novel Takes Place covers the Great Migration, the Black Belt, Black Nationalism and Pan-Africanism.

Events in History at the Time the Novel Was Written briefly discusses the Civil Rights Movement and African independence.

 

Readings on A Raisin in the Sun BOOK (812 HAN)

Collection of critical essays from a variety of sources. Each essay is introduced by a summary of its main points. Includes concurrent historical events.

Lesson Plans

Web English Teacher

Links to lesson plans for teaching A Raisin in the Sun

http://www.webenglishteacher.com/hansberry.html

Student Research

Historic Events of the 20th Century: Civil Rights Movement SUBSCRIPTION WEBSITE

Essays covering the origins of the movement, the fight for legal equality, the role of women, and the lasting effects of the protest of the 1950s and 1960s. Biographical profiles of activists, a chronology, photographs, primary documents, glossary and teacher lesson plans for using the site.

Linked from Media Center Resources Page

http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/springbrookhs/www/www.html

Facts on File SUBSCRIPTION WEBSITE

Historic events of the 1950's and 1960's include Brown v. Board of Education and Civil Rights Act. These articles provide background information about post Civil War South, early civil rights movement and include many hyperlinks to events such as the bus boycott and Birmingham bombing.

Linked from Media Center Resources Page

http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/springbrookhs/www/www.html

Gale Student Resource Center SUBSCRIPTION WEBSITE

Information on history and literature. Excellent background articles on civil rights issues. For example, an article on the Civil Rights Act of 1968 explains how real estate practices, intimidation, and legal regulations kept housing segregated.

Linked from Media Center Resources Page

http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/springbrookhs/www/www.html

Gale History Resource Center U.S. SUBSCRIPTION WEBSITE

Background essays, periodical articles, primary sources and images.

Linked from the Media Center Resources Page

http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/springbrookhs/www/www.html

N.B. - Students like these sites for plot summaries, character analysis, "fake reading"

Spark Notes

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/raisin/

 

Pink Monkey

http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/monkeynotes/pmRaisinSun01.asp