Big+Ideas+&+Essential+Questions

** Big Ideas: **
What are the enduring understandings or “big ideas” for this unit? Students will understand the development of mass culture in the 1920's and how it changed American society. Students will explore the messages of the African-American artists of the Harlem Renaissance. Students will understand how to select and use historical evidence and explain their findings in a historical research project. (DA: I think this is a learning goal - maybe move it to that section?) yes.it is, let's move it -C

The Harlem Renaissance was the beginning of “Black is Beautiful” and cultural pride as African-Americans. For the first time, African Americans represented themselves in music and dance, and African American arts crossed over into white culture. The social dances of the Harlem Renaissance popularized elements such as improvisation and syncopation that continued to shape dance in American even through today. The arts are agents of change/ the arts transform culture. Cherri - what do you think of this overarching big idea? Uve.

** Essential Questions: **
State the essential questions for the unit. These driving questions should provide a central focus for student inquiry. What were the messages of the African American artists and leaders of the Harlem Renaissance? What are the African roots of shim sham & Charleston? How did that change dance in the U.S.? What changes happened in U.S. society in the 1920s? What changes were created by the arts? How did arts in the Harlem Renaissance create social change? What is a Renaissance? How did the dance and music change from the early days of jazz to the days of the big bands? What impact did Broadway musicals, news reels and dance contests have on early American Dance forms?