Year 8 · English · beta

Single poet study: Maya Angelou

In this unit, pupils read and discover the work of Maya Angelou. They explore some of Angelou's most famous poems, such as 'Caged Bird' and 'Still I Rise', and practise writing and performing poems inspired by her work. As the unit develops, pupils find their own distinctive poetic voice.

This is an attributed Oak National Academy lesson sequence, not a completed or academically approved DASKEREL course. Supporting transcripts may depend on video, images, practical equipment or teacher explanation. Follow each lesson’s supervision guidance. For religious education and RSHE, follow the school’s syllabus, policy and safeguarding procedures.

Prior knowledge

  • Pupils know the key conventions of poetry including stanza, rhythm and rhyme
  • Pupils are able to make inferences and explain these logically
  • Pupils are able to select relevant textual evidence or quotations, to support their points
  • Pupils are able to comment on specific language features within a text and comment on their effect
  • Pupils understand what is meant by the terms 'racism' and 'prejudice'

Source curriculum references

  • Understanding increasingly challenging texts through making inferences
  • Understanding increasingly challenging texts through knowing purpose, audience and context of writing
  • Read critically through knowing how poetic conventions are used
  • Read critically through studying authors in depth
  • Write imaginative poetry

Oak source metadata. DASKEREL has not independently verified school-level coverage.

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