Reading Final Project: Life Doesn’t Frighten Me Objective: Use imagery to enhance literature analysis
Most people are afraid of one thing or another. Life is full of frightening challenges that we must confront every day. From reading the title, can you predict what this poem might be about?

Good readers visualize. That is, they “see” things as they read. They make mental pictures of the persons, places, and things the writers describes. The pictures you create in your mind make it easier for you to “see” the author’s ideas. Try use visualize when you read this poem. You might want to jot down ideas in a journal as you read.
Directions: Follow the steps below to complete the final project.
Step 1. Before you read:
a. Read the poem aloud. Listen carefully as you read the poem’s title and first stanza. Try to visualize what is being described.
b. Then complete the Listener’s Guide below.
“Life Doesn’t Frighten Me”
By Maya Angelou
Shadows on the wall
Noises down the hall
Life doesn’t frighten me at all
Bad dogs barking loud
Big ghosts in a cloud
Life doesn’t frighten me at all.
My Listener’s Guide

Poem Title:

Words or phrases that caught my attention:

This poem is about:

I predict the poem will be (choose one):

interesting / dull / easy / hard
Step 2. Read the rest of “Life Doesn’t Frighten Me.”
a. Visualize the people, places, and things Angelou describes.
b. Think about the things that frighten you.
“Life Doesn’t Frighten Me” continued...
Mean old Mother Goose
Lions on the loose
They don’t frighten me at all
Dragons breathing flame
On my counterpane
That doesn’t frighten me at all.
I go boo
Make them shoo
I make fun
Way they run
I won’t cry
So they fly
I just smile
They go wild
Life doesn’t frighten me at all.
Tough guys in a fight
All alone at night
Life doesn’t frighten me at all.
Stop and think:

Why does the speaker name things like Mother Goose from nursery rhymes?

What is a counterpane?

“Life Doesn’t Frighten Me” continued...
Panthers in the park
Strangers in the dark
No, they don’t frighten me at all.
That new classroom where
Boys all pull my hair
(Kissy little girls
With their hair in curls)
They don’t frighten me at all.
Don’t show me frogs and snakes
And listen for my scream,
If I’m afraid at all
It’s only in my dreams.
I’ve got a magic charm
That I keep up my sleeve,
I can walk the ocean floor
And never have to breathe.
Life doesn’t frighten me at all
Not at all
Not at all.
Life doesn’t frighten me at all.

Stop and Think:

Why do you think the speaker names all the things she’s not afraid of?

Step 3. Organize Information
a. Get ready to write an expository essay about Maya Angelou and “Life Doesn’t Frighten Me.”
b. First gather your facts.
c. Fill out the Fact Sheet about the poem.
Fact Sheet

Poem title:

What do I know about this poet:

Is there rhyme? Give examples.

Are there repeated words or phrases?

Are there words that appeal to the 5 senses? Give examples.

Brief summary of what the poem is about:

The poem’s main idea is:

Step 4. Write your essay
Use your notes to help you write an expository essay about “Life Doesn’t Frighten Me.”
1. Explain who wrote the poem, how long it is, and what the language is like.
2. Then briefly summarize what the poem is about.
3. Write your essay using all the notes and ideas in the lesson, including your own notes and fact sheet.
4. Describe the poet’s message or point in “Life Doesn’t Frighten Me.”
5. Do you think the author's purpose was met in this poem? Why or why not?
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