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Year 8

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

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

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New
New
Year 8

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

I can write 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. You can use a poet's work to inspire your own creativity.
  2. You can plan each stanza of a poem by considering its focus, details and methods
  3. Reading your poem aloud can help you identify areas you would like to improve.

Common misconception

You can't plan a stanza of a poem. It's not like a paragraph or an essay.

Stanzas are like paragraphs. They need structure and focus. Spending time planning their methods, vocabulary and ideas make writing the stanza easier.

Keywords

  • Methods - the tools a writer uses to create their work; use of figurative language is one example

  • Sullen - bad-tempered, sulky

  • Figurative language - non-literal phrases and words which develop a writer's meaning

  • Idle - not doing anything, lazy

  • Ignoble - not honourable, unworthy

Consider if you want to use your own pupil examples during the feedback task of Learning Cycle 2. Prepare to praise excellent work, whilst offering feedback about how to improve pupil work. Consider if you want other pupils to comment on this work or not.
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.
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:rhyme ,using words that sound like each other in the middle or end of lines

using words that sound like each other in the middle or end of lines

Correct Answer:alliteration,using the same letter to start two or more words

using the same letter to start two or more words

Correct Answer:sibilance,the repetition of the 's' sound

the repetition of the 's' sound

Q2.
Match each word to its definition ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
Correct Answer:sullen,bad-tempered, sulky

bad-tempered, sulky

Correct Answer:idle,not doing anything, lazy

not doing anything, lazy

Correct Answer:ignoble,unworthy, not honourable

unworthy, not honourable

Correct Answer:carefree,having no problems or anxieties

having no problems or anxieties

Correct Answer:innocent,antonym of guilty

antonym of guilty

Q3.
How many stanzas does Maya Angelou's 'On Aging' have? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
Correct answer: 1
2
3
4
5
Q4.
Which of the sentences below are examples of figurative language? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
I walk with confidence and grace.
Correct answer: I stomp elephant-like into the room.
Correct answer: I thundered out of the room, a storm cloud of anger.
I left the room hastily, but elegantly.
Q5.
Which of these Angelou poems uses first person? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
Correct answer: 'On Aging'
Correct answer: 'Woman Work'
'Caged Bird'
Correct answer: 'Equality'
'On the Pulse of the Morning'
Q6.
Which of these Angelou poem titles uses figurative language? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
'On Aging'
'Phenomenal Woman'
Correct answer: 'Caged Bird'
'Equality'
Correct answer: 'Still I Rise'

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which sentence is an example of sibilance? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
Correct answer: The small child stuck his tongue out and stared.
It was a silly thing to do.
I looked longingly at the lolly.
My heart leapt with joy.
Q2.
Which sentence is an example of alliteration? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
Life may be scary, but I'm not frightened.
Correct answer: I am powerfully and persistently phenomenal.
I won't be forgotten or mistreated.
Save your silly songs for someone stupid.
Q3.
When editing your work, reading your piece of writing can help you hear what sounds good, and what needs further work ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
Correct Answer: aloud, out loud
Q4.
Which sentence uses the word sullen, or its forms, correctly? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
Correct answer: Angelou's speakers are often uplifting, rather than sullen.
If I am feeling sullenly, I often read a poem to lift my spirits.
I was pleased to help; that's why I looked so sullen.
Angelou uses a sullen number of stanzas in 'Still I Rise'.
Q5.
Which sentence uses the word idle, or its forms, correctly? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
I ran to school idly because I didn't want to be late.
I was accused of being idly, but I was just thinking.
Correct answer: I hate being idle – I'm always up and about doing something.
I was idelist this morning so I didn't make my bed.
Q6.
Which of these sentences uses the word ignoble correctly? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
He called me ignoble, which I think is unfair. I am always lying and cheating.
I was ignoble this morning so I had a huge breakfast.
Correct answer: He seemed ignoble to me and I didn't trust him.
Correct answer: Robbing the bank was ignoble, but what choice did I have?