a person who advocates for social and political equality for those who have been denied equal treatment

extraordinary or remarkable, often beyond usual expectations or understanding

treating someone unfairly because of certain characteristics like age, ethnicity or gender

Exploring Maya Angelou’s ‘Phenomenal Woman’

English

In 'Single Poet Study: Maya Angelou', pupils study a body of work by a single poet, in order to explore what makes her style and voice unique, giving Angelou her identity as a writer. In the second  Power and Conflict Poetry unit, pupils study the identity cluster of poems, including works by Agard, Dharker and Rumens, all of which use poetic voice to explore questions about personal identity.

In 'Poetry about Place and Home', pupils use spoken word poetry to explore their relationship to the city that they live in. In 'Single Poet Study: Maya Angelou', pupils explore how spoken word poetry can be used to express personal and political views. 

Single poet study: Maya Angelou

Discriminatory behaviour or images, whether on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation, or otherwise.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Depiction or discussion of sex or sexual body parts, including sex education.

Depiction or discussion of sexual content

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

Risk assessment required - physical activity

the speaker says she is not "cute" but rather "phenomenal"

the speaker explains how people react when she walks in a room

the speaker describes how confused men are about her power

the speaker explains why we should be "proud" when we see her

Match each stanza from 'Phenomenal Woman' to its focus. ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')

In 'Phenomenal Woman', which of these is the refrain? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').

In 'Phenomenal Woman', the speaker says she has "{{ }}" in her eyes. ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').

In 'Phenomenal Woman', the speaker says she walks with "{{ }}". ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').

When was 'Phenomenal Woman' first published? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').

She was really motivating, always belittling me and supporting my work.

I cried after I saw her – her insults were so belittling and cruel.

She talked to me like a child and I felt really belittled.

Which of these sentences use the word 'belittle' (or its forms) correctly? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').

Complete the sentence: One of Maya Angelou’s poems is called '{{ }} Doesn’t Frighten Me'. ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')

extraordinary or remarkable, often beyond usual expectations

Match each of these words to their definitions ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').

The word 'phenomenal' is an {{ }}, a describing word, which means extraordinary or remarkable, often beyond usual expectations or understanding ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').

She did a phenomenal amount of work even though she only had 30 minutes.

The show was pretty average, with phenomenal things happening in every scene.

She is so inspiring, with a phenomenal intellect.

I really hate it when phenomenal things happen. They are so boring.

Which sentences use the word 'phenomenal' correctly? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')

When and where was Maya Angelou born? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')

Maya Angelou was a person who advocated for social and political equality for those who have been denied equal treatment. This is called being a {{ }} rights activist.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sexual content

Risk assessment required - physical activity

Adult supervision required

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Exploring Maya Angelou’s ‘Phenomenal Woman’

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.