Cookies Literary Exploration

Overview

This 60-minute lesson for Year 11 students focuses on Emily Jenkins' Cookies, designed in alignment with the National Curriculum for England (English programmes of study: Reading – comprehension, and Writing – composition). The session emphasises advanced literary analysis, character development, thematic exploration, and language techniques, suited to preparing students for GCSE-style analytical writing and discussion.

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National Curriculum Links

• Reading: comprehension
  • Analyse how language, structure, and presentation contribute to meaning (KS4, English programme of study)
  • Read, understand, and respond to texts using textual references, including quotations
  • Develops independent critical reading
• Writing: composition
  • Plan, draft, edit, and proofread
  • Use a range of vocabulary, sentence structures, and linguistic devices to engage the reader
• Spoken language
  • Listen and respond appropriately to adults and peers
  • Participate in discussions, presentations, performances, role play, improvisations, and debates

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

1. Analyse the development of characters within Cookies, identifying techniques used by Emily Jenkins to reveal personality and motivation.
2. Identify and discuss major themes in Cookies, supporting ideas with textual evidence.
3. Explore the impact of specific language and structural choices on the narrative and readers’ interpretations.
4. Collaboratively engage in discussion and develop a creative written piece inspired by the text’s style and themes.
5. Demonstrate analytical writing skills aligned with GCSE expectations.

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Resources Needed

• Copies of selected excerpts from Cookies by Emily Jenkins (extracts highlighting character and theme)
• Whiteboard and markers or digital board (for mind-mapping activity)
• Student exercise books or laptops/tablets for note-taking and creative writing
• Printouts of a language techniques checklist (e.g., metaphor, simile, narrative viewpoint)
• Timer for activities
• Prepared worksheets with focused questions for text analysis

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Lesson Structure

1. Starter Activity (10 minutes)

• Objective: Activate prior knowledge and set context.
• Present a short, intriguing extract from Cookies introducing a key character.
• Quick think-pair-share: Students note first impressions of character and discuss with a partner.
• Invite 2-3 pairs to share brief thoughts to the class.
• Link to Learning Objective 1: understanding character development.

National Curriculum Link: Spoken language – listening and responding appropriately.

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2. Focused Text Analysis (15 minutes)

• Objective: Analyse character development and themes.
• Students work in groups of 5 (6 groups) with different text extracts spotlighting themes like friendship, individuality, or family.
• Each group uses provided worksheets to:
  • Identify language techniques (metaphor, descriptive adjectives)
  • Annotate character traits shown through action/dialogue
  • Discuss how the structure (e.g., pacing, chapter breaks) influences meaning
• Groups prepare a short summary of their findings.

National Curriculum Link: Reading comprehension – analyse language, structure; use textual references.

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3. Group Discussion and Synthesis (10 minutes)

• Groups present findings to the class (2 minutes each).
• Class co-constructs a mind map on the board summarising:
  • Major characters and development
  • Key themes
  • Effective language and structural techniques
• Teacher prompts deeper analysis using questions:
  • Why might Jenkins have chosen this narrative style?
  • How does the theme relate to contemporary society?

National Curriculum Link: Spoken language – participate in discussions and presentations.

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4. Creative Writing Task (20 minutes)

• Objective: Develop creative responses drawing on literary techniques.
• Students write a short diary entry or letter from the perspective of a chosen character, applying:
  • Language techniques studied (similes, emotive language)
  • Character voice and tone consistent with the text
  • Reflection of one theme discussed earlier
• Encourage varied sentence structures and vocabulary to engage reader empathy.
• Teacher circulates to support and prompt higher-level vocabulary or ideas.

National Curriculum Link: Writing composition – develop effective narrative and descriptive writing.

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5. Plenary and Assessment (5 minutes)

• Volunteers read excerpts of their creative pieces aloud.
• Teacher provides formative feedback on:
  • Use of language techniques
  • Characterisation consistency
  • Expression of themes
• Quick self-assessment checklist: “Which technique did I use effectively?”, “How well did I capture the character’s voice?”
• Set a follow-up homework task for extended analytical essay responding to a theme or character in Cookies.

National Curriculum Link: Writing – reflection and editing; Spoken language – confidence in performance.

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Differentiation

• Support: Provide sentence starters and vocabulary banks for creative writing.
• Challenge: Encourage use of more complex structural devices (e.g., flashbacks) in creative task and analytical justification.
• Offer extension questions during group work for more advanced students.

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Reflection Notes for Teacher

• Monitor group dynamics to ensure all participate.
• Use questioning to deepen analytical thinking, avoiding surface-level responses.
• Emphasise balance between spoken and written skills typical of GCSE requirements.
• Tailor creative writing prompts to student interests for higher engagement.

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This lesson plan will develop critical reading and imaginative writing skills while fostering confidence in literary analysis aligned explicitly with the National Curriculum requirements for Year 11 English.