Exploring Maya Angelou’s ‘Still I Rise’
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore Maya Angelou's 'Still I Rise'.
Key learning points
- 'Still I Rise' was first published in 1978 in a collection of Angelou's poems entitled 'And Still I Rise'.
- The collection 'And Still I Rise' explores ideas about overcoming adversity, particularly racism and sexism.
- The poems celebrate the tenacity of the Black community, especially women ('Phenomenal Woman' is also in the collection)
- Considering your personal preference to a poem is an important aspect of being a student of English.
Keywords
Resilient - being able to cope, withstand and recover from difficult physical or mental challenges
Adversity - difficulty, hardship
Tenacious - to never give up
Oppress - to treat someone, or a group of people, unfairly
Figurative language - non-literal words and phrases which develop a writer's meaning
Common misconception
Personal opinions about texts are not valid. Only analysis is valid.
Being a student of English can often feel like this. But expressing your opinions about your feelings towards a text - those you read in and outside the classroom - is very important and just as much a part of the subject of English as analysis.
Teacher tip
Consider how you will read 'Still I Rise' in Learning Cycle 1. Who will read, when and why? Would watching Angelou perform the poem aid enjoyment? Are there words you need to define, or further questions you wish to ask?
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of 'Still I Rise' and 'Phenomenal Woman' by Maya Angelou, both published by Penguin Random House in 1978.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sexual content
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.One of Maya Angelou's poems is called 'Phenomenal ' ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
Q2.Match each of these terms to their definitions ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
non-literal words and phrases which help a writer develop meaning
a method of comparison using 'like' or 'as'
a question asked for dramatic effect rather than requiring an answer
a repeated line or set of lines in a poem or song
Q3.Match these words to their definitions ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
being able to cope, withstand and recover from difficulty
difficulty, hardship
never giving up
to treat someone, or a group of people, unfairly
Q4.Which of these sentences are similes? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
Q5.What is the opposite of figurative language? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
Q6.'Phenomenal Woman' was first published in a collection of 32 poems (all by Angelou) called …? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.One of Maya Angelou's poems is called ' I Rise' ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
Q2.What is the refrain of Maya Angelou's 'Still I Rise'? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
Q3.How was 'Still I Rise' first published? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
Q4.In 'Still I Rise', what are some of the things the speaker compares herself through use of similes? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
Q5.Starting with the first, put what the speaker says in 'Still I Rise' in chronological order? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
Q6.Which of these sentences use the word tenacious (or its forms) correctly? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Exploring Maya Angelou’s ‘Still I Rise’, 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 ‘Still I Rise’, 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.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 English lessons from the Single poet study: Maya Angelou unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.