The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou

 

     The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou written by Maya Angelou is a very inspirational collection of poems.  The poems within the book cover a wide variety of topics that give an insight on life.   Some of the poems deal with beauty, passion and struggles.  Maya Angelou use a wide variety of styles and themes.  Her poems are a mixure of gentle rhymes and free verse.  There are no pictures in the book with the use of imagination you will quickly develop a picture of your own.

     This is a great collection to share with students.  I think this collection would be good for student in grade six and above.  Students would benefit by becoming familiar with the different forms of poetry.  They also will learn how to read poetry.  

                                                     Still I Rise

     Still I Rise is one of my personal favorites poems by Maya Angelou.  This poem give hope to the hopeless and encourages those seeking for encouragement.  The message of this poem is powerful.  The message I gained is to not let anyone or anything get you down,  stand up and stand tall, keep pressing forward and always remain strong.  While growing up, I loved to memorize her poems and recite them.

     On page 144 in Literature and the Child, the criteria for poetry is very clear.  

            -The text should be compact with elegant language

            -Poetry should include interesting and easily comprehendible works

            -Should use creative syntax that utilizes poetic devices effectively

            -Easy to follow structure

            -A wide array of styles of poems

All of these requirements were meet in accordance to the guidelines.
  

Motivation Activities:

1.  Put the students in groups.  Have each group select a poem.  Next, each group needs to recite the poem with the correct tone.  Then explain the meaning or message behind the poem.

2.  Have each student create their own poem and share with the class.

Reader's Response Questions:

1.  What is the tone of the poem?

2.  What is the message the author is trying to get across?

3.  How many stanzas are in the poem?


References:

Angelou, Maya. (1994) The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou. New York: Random House

Galda, L., Cullinan, B.E., & Sipe, L.R. (2011).  Literature and the Child.  (7th ed., pp. 12, 24).  Belmont:  Wadsworth Pub Co.