Ruie J. Pritchard, Ph.D.

Format for Demonstration Lesson Plans: Presentation using

Technology, Free Choice (150 pts each)
Title of the Lesson: Central Idea of Harlem by Langston Hughes
Grade Level: 11th grade
Length of Lesson: 15 minutes
Overview of the Lesson: We as a class will analyze Harlem by Langston Hughes to
distinguish the central idea and themes.
Learning Goals: Students will be able to dissect a text and know how to define central
ideas and themes.
NC Competency Goals Being Addressed:
1. Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text,
including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze how an author
uses and refines the meaning of a key term or terms over the course of a text
(e.g., how Madison defines faction in Federalist No. 10).

Materials Needed: PowerPoint (poem included), handouts of the poem

How the Lesson Will Flow:
1. Because we have already done the I do section of the lesson, the
students should have a clear understanding of what central idea and theme are.
Now we will analyze the text together as a class.
2. Pass out handouts of the poem and pull up the PowerPoint.
3. Quick overview of the lesson and summary of what we learned in the
previous lesson.
4. Turn to the poem, read it.
5. Ask the class what stood out to them, connotation of the words/figurative
language, what they think is the central idea, and what themes they see.
6. Reassure their ideas. Capitalize on the themes and central idea.
7. Include the historical background of the poem (Harlem Renaissance), then
ask the students how this changes the central idea.
8. Discussion questions on the poem and allow students to contribute their
own discussion questions (Have printed copies of questions and allow students to
work in groups to answer)
9. Wrap up (summarize what we have learned). Assessment: Have one
student volunteer define central idea and another student volunteer define theme
for the class.

Ruie J. Pritchard, Ph.D.

Assessment: List the informal and/or formal assessments that will be used during this
lesson. In these short lessons, you may not have time to collect/practice the assessment,
but you should plan it. How will you know whether or not the students got the main
points of your lesson?
Assessment can be made through group work discussion and student definitions
N/A--We will be able to discern whether or not the students have learned the main points
of the lesson if they create a successful project (the you do section of the segment).
Sources for the Lesson: We created our PowerPoint but got Harlem offline.
Put copies of all handouts, quizzes, activities, tests, etc. that are used during this
lesson behind this days lesson.
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems-and-poets/poems/detail/46548

Ruie J. Pritchard, Ph.D.