Hair's Your Gift
Outcome
Translating my notes into Māori for the student workbook having all the key words in both languages for the course, and for the equipment stuck up around the classroom was time consuming but definitely the most valuable thing that I did with respect to course preparation. I also had contemporary Māori/ English dictionaries available so that students could use Māori or English names for their hair care product range.
This unit worked well as it has ample opportunities to extend more able students while being accessible to less able students as well. So that all students can get the most out of it however, it needs at least 12 hours as I found that I was sometimes so rushed that I left out the shampoo testing lesson.
Jenny Sommerville, a soap and shampoo maker and Rebecca Midkiff, a soap and shampoo maker and owner of Aromatics and more, a cosmetic chemical supplier, were the technologists I used. I mostly used their advice on ingredients and ratios. I was able to share info/some of my knowledge with Jenny so a 2 way benefit. I hope to attend a workshop on natural cosmetic making this term.
So far the unit has been very successful – quite expensive (many thermometer breakages and ingredients) – some complaints re size of containers (too small) and volume of each product – they wanted to make larger quantities. The comments were favourable from students and parents re quality of shampoo and conditioner (they are better than supermarket brands). A number of parents have come in to learn how to make these products. Safety glasses are crucial as conditioner can "explode" out of beaker if the conditioning emulsifier gets too hot.
The hair wraps proved popular with boys and girls, and students made some amazing buttons out of "du kit" clay. Close up photos of buttons will follow.
