American Literature
American Authors

Maya Angelou (1928-)

Maya Angelou was born Marguerite Johnson on April 4, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri. Her brother gave her the nickname Maya. Her first book, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, an autobiographical account of her early life was published in 1969.
Key: profile Articles Photos Images Video Video Audio Audio Interactives Interactives Lesson Plans Teaching Resources

Websites

Maya Angelou profile Photos Video
This homepage of the author contains biographical information, a video gallery featuring film clips narrated by Maya Angelou, and a photo gallery.
Source: Maya Angelou Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No Searchable: No

Maya Angelou profile Photos Video Interactives Lesson Plans
In 1954 and 1955 Maya Angelou toured Europe in a production of Porgy and Bess. This sitehas biographical information and a Road To Civil Rights module featuringsix civil rights pioneers, including Maya Angelou.
Source: American Academy of Achievement Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: Yes

Maya Angelou profile Photos Lesson Plans
Maya Angelou was the first female and black street car conductor in San Francisco. You can learn more about the author read eight of her poems, and read articles about Angelou at this site.
Source: Poetry Foundation Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: Yes

Maya Angelou profile Photos
Maya Angelou was the associate editor of The Arab Observer in Cairo, Egypt from 1961-1962. Learn more and read two of her poems.
Source: Academy of American Poets Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: Yes

Maya Angelou profile Photos
The title of Angelou's first novel, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, was taken from the poem "sympathy" by Paul Laurence Dunbar. Learn more about the author at this site.
Source: University of Minnesota
Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: Yes

Angelou's Fight - With Poetry profile Photos
Maya Angelou was once a calypso singer! The author talks about her childhood, the civil rights movement and Shakespeare in this 2003 interview.
Source: BBC Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes

Maya Angelou Reflects on a 'Glorious' Life profile Photos Audio
In this 12 minute interview from 2008, Maya Angelou reflects on her life.
Source: NPR Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes

A Talk with Maya Angelou Audio
Listen to a 12 minute conversation between Tavis Smiley and Maya Angelou.
Source: NPR Intended Audience: General Reading Level: N/A Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes

Maya Angelou's Cooking Advice profile Photos Audio
Get some cooking tips and learn how not to follow the rules in this seven minute interview with Maya Angelou. After the interview, maybe you will want to try her recipe for mixed London grill!
Source: NPR Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes


Road to Civil Rights
Studentcan take an interactivetour through the Civil Rights era with this interactive learning module featuring Maya Angelou along with other key individuals and events. Source: American Academy of Achievement

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NH Authors

Online Video

Maya Angelou
Series of 14 video clips from an interview with Maya Angelou. Source: Scholastic

Maya Angelou
Series of over an hour or interview clips with the author covering a variety of topics. Source: Biography.com

Maya Angelou: 'I'm So Proud'
Maya Angelou'sreaction to Barak Obama's Election. Source: CBS News

Maya Angelou
Interviewwith the author. Source: Academy of Achievement

Phenomenal Women
Maya Angeloureads her poem "Phenomenal Women" Source: WGBH

Maya AngelouWeekend Update
It all not serious! Tracy Morgan plays Maya Angelouwith her new line of Hallmark greeting cards. Source: NBC


Lesson Plans

Greetings from Maya Angelou - Gr. 9-12
In this lesson students read selected poems, learn about her life, and listen to readings of her works. Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer

Acting Up, A Melodrama - Gr. 9-12
After reading the melodrama in Little Women, students are divided into five groups and assigned an act to interpret. They expand the lines, create melodies, and rehearse their act for presentation to the class. Source: ArtsEdge

Amazing Grace - Gr. 7-8
In this unit students are introduced to the formative years Maya Angelou and James Comer: where they lived, the events and people who molded their lives, and the place of religion as an anchor in their lives is discussed.
Source: Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute

Maya Angelou: Study and Response to "Still I Rise" - Gr. 8
Students read biographical information on Maya Angelou and her poem, "Still I Rise." Students identify support and elaboration in poem, then respond by either writing a letter to the author or his/her own poem in response. Source: Learn NC

Still I Rise: Maya Angelou - Gr 9-12
Students annotate the poem, "Still I Rise," for the poet's tone and theme. Source: Education Oasis

Still I Rise - Gr. 8
Students examine the lives and lyrics of popular, positive black female rappers such as Queen Latifah and Lauryn Hill, students and trace a direct line back to Maya Angelou. Source: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Varying Views of America - Gr. 9-12
After reviewing the literary elements of tone and point of view, students work in small groups to read and summarize Walt Whitman's “I Hear America Singing,” Langston Hughes' “I, Too, Sing America,” and Maya Angelou's “On the Pulse of the Morning.” Source: Read Write Think

Maya Angelou
You'll find teaching ideas and resources designed to help celebrate Angelou's birthdate, April 4. Source: Read Write Think