Death of a Naturalist - teaching resource

Death of a Naturalist by Seamus Heaney – WJEC Eduqas GCSE Poetry Anthology Teaching Resource

This detailed two-lesson mini-unit focuses on Seamus Heaney’s poem Death of a Naturalist, featured in the WJEC Eduqas GCSE English Literature Poetry Anthology. Designed to develop students’ analytical skills, this resource explores the poem in depth and provides structured guidance on comparing it effectively with other anthology poems in the GCSE exam.

The teaching pack includes a 49-slide fully editable PowerPoint presentation and five accompanying worksheets with engaging and exam-focused activities.

Lesson One:

• Context: A brief introduction to Seamus Heaney and the personal background of the poem

• First Reading: Guided reading of Death of a Naturalist with comprehension and consolidation questions (example answers included)

• Language & Imagery: Detailed analysis of Heaney’s use of language and imagery, supported by model responses

• Essay Writing: An extended essay question assessing initial understanding, including a model answer

Lesson Two:

• Imagery: Deeper analysis of the poem’s descriptive and symbolic imagery

• Themes: Exploring key ideas, including nature’s power, childhood, and the loss of innocence

• Structure & Form: Analysing how Heaney’s form, rhythm, and structure shape meaning

• Exam Focus: Comparing Death of a Naturalist with Excerpt from The Prelude, including tips and model answers for comparison essays

Fully editable and adaptable, this comprehensive resource is ideal for classroom teaching, homework, intervention, and revision, supporting students in preparing effectively for the WJEC Eduqas GCSE English Literature exam.

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