This resource enables teachers to use Seamus Heaney’s poem ‘An Open Letter’ with their class.

It can be used not just to teach poetry, but more widely to explore persuasive language and how it can be used to challenge social injustice and to create a clear sense of identity.

This lesson was originally written for a mixed-ability Year 8 class, but could be used with other year groups depending on your context.

The resources consist of:

• Teacher version of ‘An Open Letter’, with detailed footnotes and advice on differentiating the resource for your class (editable .docx file)
• Student version of ‘An Open-Letter’, with more accessible footnotes (editable .docx file)
• Sample lesson in the form of an editable PPTX slide (40-45 minutes) on ‘An Open Letter’, featuring a ‘Think Pair Share’ activity; individual research and writing based on factual, conceptual and debatable questions; small-group work; a jigsaw activity, and individual reflection using a Padlet (the Padlet link is not included).
• Notes on how to access Google Doc/Slide versions of the resources, in case this is preferred