Performing Maya Angelou's ‘Still I Rise’
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can perform one stanza of Maya Angelou's 'Still I Rise' with a focus on conveying the speaker's power.
Key learning points
- There is a contrast between the way the speaker and those who have oppressed her are presented in 'Still I Rise'.
- When performing a poem, you should consider how you want to engage with your audience.
- You should make informed decisions about the pace, volume and tone of your voice.
- You should aim to know your material off by heart so you can look at the audience most of the time.
Keywords
Resilient - being able to cope, withstand and recover from difficult physical or mental challenge
Oppress - to treat someone, or a group of people, unfairly
Project - to speak loudly and clearly
Common misconception
Performing poetry is just about reading it aloud.
Watching people perform poetry is very popular. The most engaging performers carefully consider how they will say the poem, and how they will engage with their audiences.
Teacher tip
Consider the timings and classroom set up for the practice task of LC2. How long might your pupils need to learn a stanza of the poem off by heart? What do you want the performances to look like? They could be individual, or paired. You could have a group performing the whole poem - one stanza each.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of 'Still I Rise' by Maya Angelou 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
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.One of Maya Angelou's poems is called 'Still I ' ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
Q2.What word does Maya Angelou's 'Still I Rise' start with? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
Q3.Match these words to their definitions ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
lively, bold, cheeky
downhearted
resentful, angry, hurt
in pieces, severely damaged
proud
Q4.In 'Still I Rise', what are some of the things the speaker compares herself to? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
Q5.Match the stanzas from Maya Angelou's 'Still I Rise' to what they explore ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
speaker says she's been treated like "dirt" but she’s still "sassy"
compares herself to "suns"; asks if oppressors want to see her broken
speaker says she is full of laughter, despite being attacked
speaker says she is sexy, "dances" to show her valuable body
speaker compares herself to an "ocean"; direct references to slavery
compares herself to a "dream" and repeats the title over and over
Q6.A question is a question that is used for dramatic effect, rather than one expecting an answer ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following are good pieces of advice for someone who wishes to perform a poem? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
Q2.What does it mean to project your voice? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
Q3.What is the final word of Maya Angelou's poem 'Still I Rise'? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
Q4.Does Angelou use rhetorical questions in 'Still I Rise'? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
Q5.How does the speaker describe herself in Maya Angelou's 'Still I Rise'? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
Q6.The speaker in Maya Angelou's 'Still I Rise' says her oppressors tell lies about her. How does she describe these lies? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Performing 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: Performing 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.