I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Lesson plans and teaching resources

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Students explore the impact of the environment and personal relationships on Angelou's life. Lessons include opportunities for students to develop their own writing as well as reflect upon what Angelou has to say. In addition the students will develop a realistic feel for the different settings of the autobiography through the use of visual arts, the paintings of Jacob Lawrence and a review of American Musical Traditions. This 15-lesson unit is designed for 8th grade and requires Adobe Reader or compatible application for access.

Composing a Life: Autobiography & Maya Angelou
In this unit students will deepen their understanding of the genre of autobiography and experience literature as a record of human experience through reading Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings . Students will also gain a deeper sense of self through writing their own autobiographies. This 8-lesson unit plan is designed for 8th graders and requires Adobe Reader or compatible application for access.

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

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
Words are presented in context and with definitions. Click on a word for pronunciation, examples of recent use, more.

Maya Angelou
Biography, lesson plans for other works.