Curated OER
The Poetry Archive
Students investigate the power of title and poetry in a Langston Hughes' poem. For this poetry analysis lesson, students discuss the poem 'I, Too' for its title and content. Students use the variation in English Words and Phrases website...
Curated OER
Lesson 2 Introduction Part 2
Ninth graders explore I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. In this introductory lesson, 9th graders read Maya Angelou's poem "Still I Rise." Students write a journal telling what they believe is the message contained in the poem and discuss...
Curated OER
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings: Chapters 20, 21, 22, 23
Students complete chapter analysis activities for the Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. For this novel analysis lesson, students read and discuss chapters 20, 21, and 22 from the novel. Students then read and listen to the...
Curated OER
I know Why the Caged Bird Sings Quiz
In this online interactive reading comprehension worksheet, students respond to 12 multiple choice questions about Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Students may submit their answers to be scored.
PBS
Primary Source Set: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
What did Jo write her stories with? How did the March sisters dress? A primary source set designed for Louisa May Alcott's Little Women prompts learners to look over images of household items and clothes from the 1860s before...
Lesson Planet
Black History Month Through Poetry
Black History Month is a great time to discuss African-American poets in your classroom.
Curated OER
Classify By Topic
Students explore and evaluate poetry. In small groups, they read and summarize poems, complete a handout, create and perform a dramatization of a poem, and write a journal entry in response to their performance.
Curated OER
Figurative Language
Students interpret figurative language. For this language lesson, students are read the poem "I Love the Look of Words" by Maya Angelou and are to find examples of hyperbole and personification in the poem. Students then...
Curated OER
Know Your Poets
In this poets worksheet, students read short poems and then choose the correct poet that wrote it. Students complete 6 multiple choice questions.
Curated OER
Six Trait Writing with Jonathan Swift and Washington Irving
Fourth graders demonstrate and evaluate the six traits of writing. They read and identify good writing and bad writing, utilize a rubric to self-evaluate their own writing, participate in a Reader's Theater, and publish a class book.
Curated OER
Words Have Meaning
Students interpret and analyze art for meaning and a Maya Angelou poem for meaning. In this art and literature analysis lesson, students analyze Alison Saar's "Lost and Found" and Maya Angelou's poem "Alone." Students write creative...
Curated OER
Reading Lesson Plan
Tenth graders read the poem "Still I Rise" and discuss the different ways it can be told and read and brought to life. In this poetry lesson plan, 10th graders read aloud and silently, and compare different works of poetry.
Curated OER
CSAP Preparation: "Strike While the Iron is Hot"
Students survey several concepts in literature, science, history, and geography as a preparation for the CSAP standardized testing experience. This nine lesson unit provides exposure to the format and content of the test.
Curated OER
Gargoyles, Black Death, and Scary Music
Students research the Dark Ages using books, the Internet, and other media. In this Dark Ages lesson plan, students study poetry, music, art, and the architecture of the Dark Ages.
Curated OER
Picture It: Teaching Descriptive Writing
There are many fun and effective ways to teach students to write descriptively.
Curated OER
LIFE DOESN’T FRIGHTEN ME
Students examine gender bias and stereotypes. In this discrimination instructional activity students participate in class discussions and poetry reading in order to examine the gender stereotypes of fears and develop...
Curated OER
Life Doesn't Frighten Me
Young scholars work with younger students to collaborate to create a painting. In this instructional activity, young scholars read Life Doesn't Frighten Me. High School students write and discuss fears with Kindergarten children, and...
Curated OER
Discovering Ourselves in Literature and Life
Students read literature and view other media to discover how print and non-print texts answer the thematic question: Who am I? students compare the ways ideas are presented, and create their own portfolios or personal Web pages...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: The Poetry of Maya Angelou
This collection uses primary sources to explore the poetry of Maya Angelou.
Digital Public Library of America
Dpla: The Poetry of Maya Angelou
This primary source set includes photographs, illustrations, correspondence, interviews, and a sound recording that provides context for thematic elements in the poetry of Maya Angelou as well as her life.
Poetry Foundation
Poetry Foundation: Maya Angelou (1928 2014)
A look at the life and works of poet and writer Maya Angelou, complete with detailed biography, bibliography, links to poems and articles.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Understanding Poetry of Maya Angelou Through Rap Lyric
By examining the lives and lyrics of popular, positive black female rappers such as Queen Latifah and Lauryn Hill, students can trace a direct line back to the inspirational writer and poet, Maya Angelou. Rap lyrics will help explicate...
Academy of American Poets
Poets.org: Maya Angelou
Poets.org provides a brief biographical overview of Maya Angelou including information on her life and links to selected poems. A column of links to additional reading information on Angelou is also provided.
University at Buffalo
Circle Association: Maya Angelou Selected Poem
This site offers eighteen poems by Angelou and a photograph of her.