Zora Neale Hurston and the WPA in Florida

Lesson Plans


4th Grade Lesson Plan
  • Zora Neale Hurston and the Railroad Lining Chants (MU.4.H.2.1, SS.4.A.1.1, SS.4.A.1.2, SS.4.A.6.1, SS.4.A.7.2, LAFS.K12.R.2.4, LAFS.K12.R.2.6, LAFS.4.RI.3.7, LAFS.4.SL.1.2)
    Students will analyze a track lining chant sung by Zora Neale Hurston and recorded when she worked with the Florida division of the Federal Writer's Project (WPA) during the Great Depression.
9-12th Grade Lesson Plan
  • Zora Neale Hurston and the WPA in Florida (SS.912.A.1.1, SS.912.A.1.2, SS.912.A.1.7, SS.912.A.5.11, SS.912.A.5.12)
    Students will first examine the essay, “Turpentine” as a primary source document using the document analysis worksheet. Then students will read the essay to determine the author’s purpose and point of view and their effects on the text.
 

Primary Source Sets

The primary source set below is accompanied by a Teacher’s Guide containing brief historical context, teaching suggestions, relevant Next Generation Sunshine State Standards, and links to online resources.