Maya Angelou:
Lesson plans and teaching resources

|Biography and Background| |I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings| |Poetry|

Biography and Background

Amazing Grace
An extensive unit for remedial 7th and 8th graders comparing influential adults in the lives of Maya Angelou and James Comer.

Greetings from Maya Angelou
In this lesson high school students explore Angelou's life and writing.

The History of Jim Crow
The resources at this site explore segregation in America from 1870s to 1950s. Check out both the American Literature and Teacher Resources at the bottom of the opening page.

Interview with Maya Angelou
A series of 14 short video clips covering a range of topics.

Maya Angelou
The author's official website.

Maya Angelou
Online literary criticism from the Internet Public Library.

The Power of Words
Ten lessons exploring the impact of language in a multicultural society. Includes a lesson on ethnic stereotypes and ethnic identity.

Maya Angelou
Angelou speaks in six video clips about a variety of topics.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
This set of 15 lessons explores the impact of environment and relationships in Angelou's life.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Discussion questions. Follow links to author biography and an excerpt.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
An extensive unit plan with emphasis on a theme of overcoming adversity.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Links to resources for before, during, and after reading the autobiography. Several links include suggestions for writing.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
This lesson plan is based on an excerpt from an unnamed anthology. The objectives and strategies, however, may prompt some creative thinking in teachers who are looking for a lesson idea.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Digital Booktalk
This short video could serve as a prereading activity.

Vocabulary from I Know why the Caged Bird Sings
150 words, presented chapter-by-chapter.

Poetry

"Alone"
Text of the poem.

"And Still I Rise" Proud Black Women: Understanding the poetry of Maya Angelou through the lyrics of two female rappers from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
"By examining the lives and lyrics of popular, positive black female rappers, students can trace a direct line back to writer and poet Maya Angelou." An interdisciplinary unit. Music, lyrics not available at this site.

"The Last Decision"
Summary, commentary, related texts.

"Still I Rise"
Text of the poem.

"Still I Rise"
This lesson "informs students on how poetry has its own unique format, language, and poetic devices such as metaphors, similes, and personification and how these poetic conventions can add a tremendous punch to a poet's message."