Exploring Maya Angelou’s ‘Phenomenal Woman’
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore Maya Angelou's 'Phenomenal Woman', including an appreciation of its contexts.
Key learning points
- 'Phenomenal Woman' was first published in 1978.
- The poem sees a confident speaker tell us how and why she is "phenomenal".
- The poem is perhaps a response to the sexist and racist discrimination Angelou faced in her life.
- Angelou performed 'Phenomenal Woman' many times in her lifetime.
- The poem remains very popular because of its powerful and uplifting message.
Keywords
Civil rights activist - a person who advocates for social and political equality for those who have been denied equal treatment
Phenomenal - extraordinary or remarkable, often beyond usual expectations or understanding
Discrimination - treating someone unfairly because of certain characteristics like age, ethnicity or gender
Belittle - dismiss someone as unimportant
Common misconception
Poems are meant to be read in your head.
When poets write poems, they play close attention to their sounds and rhythm. As such, it's often important and desirable to hear poems aloud.
Teacher tip
Consider how you want to read the poem with your pupils in LC1. How will you make the poem come alive? Will you read the poem, or will pupils? Would watching Angelou perform it aid pupil enjoyment? Are there further words you need to define for your pupils, or further CfU questions needed?
Equipment
You need access to a copy of 'Phenomenal Woman' by Maya Angelou published by Penguin Random House in 2011.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sexual content
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Complete the sentence: One of Maya Angelou’s poems is called ' Doesn’t Frighten Me'. ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
Q2.Match each of these words to their definitions ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
confident, self-assured
inspiring happiness or hope
extraordinary or remarkable, often beyond usual expectations
to dismiss someone as unimportant
Q3.The word 'phenomenal' is an , a describing word, which means extraordinary or remarkable, often beyond usual expectations or understanding ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
Q4.Which sentences use the word 'phenomenal' correctly? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
Q5.When and where was Maya Angelou born? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
Q6.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.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match each stanza from 'Phenomenal Woman' to its focus. ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
the speaker says she is not "cute" but rather "phenomenal"
the speaker explains how people react when she walks in a room
refrain
the speaker describes how confused men are about her power
the speaker explains why we should be "proud" when we see her
Q2.In 'Phenomenal Woman', which of these is the refrain? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
Q3.In 'Phenomenal Woman', the speaker says she has " " in her eyes. ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
Q4.In 'Phenomenal Woman', the speaker says she walks with " ". ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
Q5.When was 'Phenomenal Woman' first published? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
Q6.Which of these sentences use the word 'belittle' (or its forms) correctly? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Exploring Maya Angelou’s ‘Phenomenal Woman’, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Exploring Maya Angelou’s ‘Phenomenal Woman’, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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