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Using visual images as a way to promote and develop philosophical discussion is surely obvious.

This also features on The Literacy Shed website where you will find a host of still and movie clip  material for thinking and literacy work.

Heavenly Appeals

This is a lovely short animated film, loaded with deep themes; the possibilities for philosophical discussion are many. It could be used quite a few times but leading to different ‘Big’ themes to talk about.

On the surface it is a funny tale of a ‘sinner’ arriving at heaven’s gates and making an appeal to be let in. The plump, slightly arrogant ‘angel’ denies the appeal and a series of things then happen that trigger a complete turn-around of events.

So much from one movie - I hope your children enjoy thinking about this one.

The key themes include:

• Heaven and Hell
• Judgement
• Crime & Punishment
• Redemption
• Salvation – Religions

Here are a just a few starter questions for starting a thinking session:

• Does heaven exist? Can we ever know?
• Does hell exist/ What is it like? What do we think?
• Can heaven only exist if hell does – and vice versa?
• What do people mean when they say ‘This is hell on earth?’
• Who should judge us?
• Is it ever right to judge someone else? When / what for?
• How can we tell if someone is good or bad?
• How do we know how much good or bad is in us?
• Can people be totally bad or totally good?
• How can we improve our goodness? Who will know if we get better and nicer?
• What’s the difference between what people see and what we are thinking?
• Does anyone ever know whether we are thinking good/bad things?

Suggestions for follow up literacy work

• Design an application form for a ‘judging angel’
• Write letters of appeal – imagine you are going to be approaching this angel wanting to get into heaven – what would our appeal letter look like?
• Design a chart that matches crimes to punishments:  Think of ten crimes in order of severity (stealing a sweet to murder).  Then match what you consider to be suitable punishments for them.

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