Direct Instruction
The learning intention for this lesson was to synthesise information across multiple texts. This session you see on the video is looking at one aspect of the unit, where we dive into the science behind laundry detergents and surfactants. To help the learners understand the complex ideas in the reading I showed a little experiment with water and oil. The learners should have already been exposed to the reading prior to this session, however due to the complexity and length of the reading we only looked at two parts of the text.
Reflection/ Next steps
As you can see in the video the idea of surfactants is difficult for the learners to comprehend, and by the end of the session they likely have only partly understood the idea. However, I think they did really well considering how complex the idea is (my own understanding is also limited which unfortunately shows on the video as well haha). Despite not fully understanding the science behind surfactants, and the Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic parts, you can see the learners desperately trying to engage with the content and understand these ideas. The key learning from this text in fact, was not to actually comprehend the chemical structure of laundry detergent, but to understand that there is more to washing your clothes than simply "putting them in the washing machine". The amount of "ah-hah" moments throughout this lesson was really cool to see. Having just seen the oil and water experiment gave the learners some context to form some understanding to how laundry detergents might work.
Class Site Content
Laundry detergents
Walt: synthesise information across multiple texts.
Key Understandings- What is in washing powder? - What makes washing powder work? - What is better - powder or liquid?
1. Please read all instructions carefully, both on this site and in docs.
2. Using the key concepts as a guide for your reading to attempt to understand the texts.
3. Each text may offer some new information, you may read them in any order.
4. Use the texts to create your own Washing powder quiz - Read the instructions for the task
- Make sure your facts and questions are in your own words. - Have at least one fact from each reading
5. Complete the surfactants task
- Because your story is going to have multple pathways and endings you need to map out how the story is going to work.
