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Year 8

Finding my own voice: planning a poem inspired by Maya Angelou

I can plan a poem inspired by the ideas and methods in Angelou's poetry.

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New
New
Year 8

Finding my own voice: planning a poem inspired by Maya Angelou

I can plan a poem inspired by the ideas and methods in Angelou's poetry.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. When writing a poem inspired by a particular writer, their ideas and / or methods might inspire you.
  2. You could use Angelou's writing routine to spark your creativity e.g. generating ideas about a particular theme.
  3. When selecting which methods you want to use in a poem, consider how each method will help you convey your ideas.

Common misconception

You can't plan a poem. Poems are inspired, and just flow from the heart.

Poems, just like paragraphs, can be planned. You can consider ideas and methods. Indeed, because poems are often shorter than other texts, planning each idea and method is even more important - no word can be wasted.

Keywords

  • Direct address - when the text speaks directly to the reader / audience, often using the pronoun 'you'

  • Methods - the tools a writer uses to create their work

  • Defiant - boldly disobedient

Consider if you want to reduce the number of poems your pupils see / read in Learning Cycle 2. It may be that you want to focus on particular methods from particular poems rather than allowing pupils to choose.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You need access to 'Phenomenal Woman', 'Woman Work', 'Still I Rise', 'On Aging', 'Caged Bird', 'Equality', 'Life Doesn't Frighten Me', and 'On the Pulse of the Morning' (Penguin Random House).

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
  • Depiction or discussion of sexual content

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which theme (big idea) did Angelou decide would be the focus of her poem, 'On the Pulse of the Morning'? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
birds
confidence
aging
work
Correct answer: America
Q2.
What are some of the big ideas that can be found in many of Angelou's poems? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
war
Correct answer: oppression
Britain
education
Correct answer: equality
Q3.
Angelou's poem 'Caged Bird' was inspired by which other poem? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
'Empathy'
'I know why the caged bird sings!'
Correct answer: 'Sympathy'
'Equality'
'Free Bird'
Q4.
Angelou's 'Caged Bird' was inspired by Paul Laurence Dunbar's 'Sympathy'. What method particularly inspired her? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
Dunbar's use of refrain
Dunbar's use of repetition
Dunbar's use of contrast
Correct answer: Dunbar's use of extended metaphor
Q5.
Which of these Angelou poems make use of a refrain? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
'On Aging'
'Woman Work'
Correct answer: 'Life Doesn't Frighten Me'
Correct answer: 'Equality'
'On the Pulse of the Morning'
Q6.
Match each Maya Angelou poem to its main focus ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
Correct Answer:'On Aging',an older speaker demands respect, not pity

an older speaker demands respect, not pity

Correct Answer:'On the Pulse of the Morning',a speaker reflects on America's past and future

a speaker reflects on America's past and future

Correct Answer:'Phenomenal Woman',a confident speaker explains why she is extraordinary

a confident speaker explains why she is extraordinary

Correct Answer:'Caged Bird' ,an extended metaphor explores the effects of segregation

an extended metaphor explores the effects of segregation

Correct Answer:'Life Doesn't Frighten Me' ,speaker lists scary things but says she's not frightened

speaker lists scary things but says she's not frightened

Correct Answer:'Still I Rise' ,forthright speaker explains why she will overcome any adversity

forthright speaker explains why she will overcome any adversity

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the name for a group of lines in a poem? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
refrains
choruses
paragraphs
Correct answer: stanzas
Q2.
Match each method to its definition ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
Correct Answer:refrain,a repeated line or lines throughout a poem

a repeated line or lines throughout a poem

Correct Answer:commands,orders

orders

Correct Answer:contrast,placing two things side by side to emphasise their differences

placing two things side by side to emphasise their differences

Q3.
Match each word to its definition ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
Correct Answer:inspired,doing something after being filled with ideas from something/someone

doing something after being filled with ideas from something/someone

Correct Answer:defiant ,boldly disobedient

boldly disobedient

Correct Answer:phenomenal ,extraordinary, remarkable

extraordinary, remarkable

Correct Answer:resilient,able to keep going despite hardship

able to keep going despite hardship

Q4.
Which of these are examples of writer's methods? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
Correct answer: use of figurative language
use of ideas
use of analysis
Correct answer: use of contrast
Correct answer: use of refrain
Q5.
Which sentence makes use of commands? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
I see you pitying me.
We can be better!
Correct answer: Admit that you hurt me.
I want respect and equality.
Q6.
Which sentences use direct address? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
She wanted Americans to look towards their future.
Correct answer: You must hear my cry: we need equality.
I am a remarkable woman, and it's time you saw that.
I'll never stop demanding freedom.
The bird in the cage sang loudly.