Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 04/03/2026
Subject: Chemistry
Lesson Topic: Arenes: properties, reactions
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the structural criteria for aromaticity and explain why arenes are unusually stable.
  • Explain how substituent electronic effects influence the rate and orientation of electrophilic aromatic substitution.
  • Predict the major product of common EAS reactions (nitration, sulfonation, halogenation, Friedel‑Crafts) based on directing effects.
  • Compare catalytic hydrogenation and Birch reduction as methods for reducing arenes.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Printed handouts of directing‑group tables and reaction equations
  • Molecular model kits (benzene ring and common substituents)
  • Safety goggles and lab coats for the demonstration video
  • Sample reagents for video demo (e.g., bromine solution, FeCl₃)
 Introduction:
Begin with a striking image of a benzene ring and ask students why it does not behave like a typical alkene. Recall prior learning on conjugation and bond energies, then state today’s success criteria: identify aromaticity rules, predict directing effects, and write balanced equations for key EAS reactions.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑Now (5') – short quiz on conjugated systems and aromaticity.
  2. Mini‑lecture (15') – introduce Hückel’s rule, aromatic stability, and basic properties of arenes.
  3. Interactive activity (10') – students use model kits to place substituents on a benzene ring and predict ortho/para/meta directing.
  4. Demonstration video (10') – nitration and halogenation mechanisms, highlighting the σ‑complex and role of directing groups.
  5. Guided practice (15') – worksheet where learners predict products of various EAS reactions and balance equations.
  6. Formative check (5') – exit ticket: write one rule for activating vs. deactivating groups and give an example.
  7. Summary (5') – teacher recaps key take‑aways and answers final questions.
Conclusion:
Review the three main points: aromatic stability, substituent directing effects, and typical conditions for EAS reactions. Students complete an exit ticket matching reagents to expected products, and homework is a worksheet converting given substituents into predicted substitution patterns for additional practice.