Finding my own voice: planning a poem inspired by Maya Angelou
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can plan a poem inspired by the ideas and methods in Angelou's poetry.
Key learning points
- When writing a poem inspired by a particular writer, their ideas and / or methods might inspire you.
- You could use Angelou's writing routine to spark your creativity e.g. generating ideas about a particular theme.
- When selecting which methods you want to use in a poem, consider how each method will help you convey your ideas.
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
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.
Teacher tip
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.
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 discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of sexual content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
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')
Q2.What are some of the big ideas that can be found in many of Angelou's poems? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
Q3.Angelou's poem 'Caged Bird' was inspired by which other poem? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
Q4.Angelou's 'Caged Bird' was inspired by Paul Laurence Dunbar's 'Sympathy'. What method particularly inspired her? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
Q5.Which of these Angelou poems make use of a refrain? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
Q6.Match each Maya Angelou poem to its main focus ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the name for a group of lines in a poem? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
Q2.Match each method to its definition ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
Q3.Match each word to its definition ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
Q4.Which of these are examples of writer's methods? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
Q5.Which sentence makes use of commands? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
Q6.Which sentences use direct address? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Finding my own voice: planning a poem inspired by Maya Angelou, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Finding my own voice: planning a poem inspired by Maya Angelou, 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.