Instructional Design - Theoretical Explanation

Theoretical Explanation (TE) Writing is to explain why the phenomenon happens relating to physics theories, principles or laws. It puts special emphasis on the relationship between the observations and physics theories/principles/laws.

Teaching Plan

Level Secondary 4
Genre Theoretical Explanation
Topics General gas law and Molecular motion
Key points Teaching Activities Learning & Teaching Materials

Introducing the genre "Theoretical Explanation" (TE)
(10-15 min)
  • Invite students to identify the features of TE questions
  • Introduce the schematic structure and language features of TE questions

Brief revision of kinetic theory
(10-15 min)
  • Group Discussion: Invite students to associate "gas molecules" with 4-5 words or phrases.
  • Brief revision on kinetic theory

Guiding students to explain boiling water with diagrammatic representation
(20-30 min)

Group Work:

  • Invite students to draw diagrams to represent the motion of water molecules at room temperature, heating and boiling.
  • Guide students to complete the worksheet using kinetic theory.
  • Introduce the writing frame of TE

Consolidating students' learning and trying explanation writing
(15–20 min)

Group Work /Individual Work:

  • Complete the worksheet 2 in group.
  • Complete the worksheet 3 individually.

Collect students' scripts for next lesson

Guiding students to understand what is good TE
(15-20 min)
  • Provide students with timely feedback to their writings using assessment rubrics
  • Review the schematic structure and language features of TE writing

Applying the genre TE
(15-20 min)
  • Joint construct TE writing for new situation