Out of the Bag by Seamus Heaney - A-Level

Benefits to teacher:

1. Activity one: Four critical interpretations of the character of Dr. Kerlin provided for students to evaluate and find evidence for.
2. Activity two: Second reading focussing on the dichotomies of science and religion. Students given two opposing critical interpretations regarding the depictions of science and religion in the poem and must evaluate based upon evidence.
3. Activity three: Students given four critical interpretations looking at the themes of hierarchies (gender and social class) and must develop the interpretations further.
4. Lesson culminates in students writing three high-level thesis statements following the three different readings in answer to the following question: *How does Heaney explore how the past informs one’s present identity in Out of the Bag? *
5. A level model* for one section of the essay. Students use this as a model to write the other two sections.
6. Lesson also focusses on the structure of the poem.
7. Lesson also outlines key context needed to access the poem.
8. Lesson activities fully differentiated throughout for low, middle and high ability students.