Starter quiz
- Complete the sentence: One of Maya Angelou’s poems is called '______ Doesn’t Frighten Me'. ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
- 'Life' ✓
- Match each of these words to their definitions ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
- assertive⇔confident, self-assured ✓
- uplifting⇔inspiring happiness or hope ✓
- phenomenal⇔extraordinary or remarkable, often beyond usual expectations ✓
- belittle⇔to dismiss someone as unimportant ✓
- The word 'phenomenal' is an ______, a describing word, which means extraordinary or remarkable, often beyond usual expectations or understanding ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
- 'adjective' ✓
- Which sentences use the word 'phenomenal' correctly? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
- She did a phenomenal amount of work even though she only had 30 minutes. ✓
- The show was pretty average, with phenomenal things happening in every scene.
- She is so inspiring, with a phenomenal intellect. ✓
- I really hate it when phenomenal things happen. They are so boring.
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- When and where was Maya Angelou born? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
- South America, 19th century
- United Kingdom, 21st century
- North America, 20th century ✓
- Europe, 20th century
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- Maya Angelou was a person who advocated for social and political equality for those who have been denied equal treatment. This is called being a ______ rights activist.
- 'civil' ✓
Exit quiz
- Match each stanza from 'Phenomenal Woman' to its focus. ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
- Stanza 1⇔the speaker says she is not "cute" but rather "phenomenal" ✓
- Stanza 2⇔the speaker explains how people react when she walks in a room ✓
- Stanza 3⇔refrain ✓
- Stanza 4⇔the speaker describes how confused men are about her power ✓
- Stanza 5⇔the speaker explains why we should be "proud" when we see her ✓
- In 'Phenomenal Woman', which of these is the refrain? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
- the speaker
- the title ✓
- the stanzas
- the rhythm
- the performance
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- In 'Phenomenal Woman', the speaker says she has "______" in her eyes. ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
- 'fire' ✓
- In 'Phenomenal Woman', the speaker says she walks with "______". ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
- 'joy' ✓
- When was 'Phenomenal Woman' first published? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
- 1928
- 1954
- 1978 ✓
- 2014
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- Which of these sentences use the word 'belittle' (or its forms) correctly? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
- She was really motivating, always belittling me and supporting my work.
- I cried after I saw her – her insults were so belittling and cruel. ✓
- I am more belittle than my sister.
- She talked to me like a child and I felt really belittled. ✓
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- 'Phenomenal Woman' was first published in 1978.
- The poem sees a confident speaker tell us how and why she is "phenomenal".
- The poem is perhaps a response to the sexist and racist discrimination Angelou faced in her life.
- Angelou performed 'Phenomenal Woman' many times in her lifetime.
- The poem remains very popular because of its powerful and uplifting message.
Common misconception
Poems are meant to be read in your head.
When poets write poems, they play close attention to their sounds and rhythm. As such, it's often important and desirable to hear poems aloud.
Keywords
Civil rights activist - a person who advocates for social and political equality for those who have been denied equal treatment
Phenomenal - extraordinary or remarkable, often beyond usual expectations or understanding
Discrimination - treating someone unfairly because of certain characteristics like age, ethnicity or gender
Belittle - dismiss someone as unimportant
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