This lesson is designed for A-Level English Literature students studying Seamus Heaney’s Out of the Bag as part of the Edexcel English Literature (9ET0) Specification. It focuses on close reading, thematic exploration, and critical analysis to support students in developing detailed responses for the exam.
- Starter: Students engage with the title Out of the Bag, discussing the idiom’s meaning and predicting its relevance to the poem’s themes.
- Context Exploration: A brief introduction to Seamus Heaney, his influences, and the role of mythology and memory in his poetry. Key figures such as Asclepius and Hygeia are explained. Though context is not tested on this unit, the references are essential for student’s understanding.
- Close Reading & Group Analysis: Students work in pairs or small groups to explore key sections of the poem through the lens of a given theme. They annotate the poem, identifying relevant imagery, structural shifts, and tone changes.
- Exam-Style Question & Writing Task: Students respond to the question: Explore the ways Seamus Heaney presents transformation and revelation in Out of the Bag. A model/exemplar paragraph is provided to guide their analysis.
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