Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Chemistry
Lesson Topic: Carboxylic acids and derivatives: properties, reactions
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the general structure and acidic nature of carboxylic acids.
  • Explain the IUPAC naming rules for carboxylic acids and each derivative.
  • Compare the reactivity of acid halides, anhydrides, esters and amides in nucleophilic acyl substitution.
  • Predict the products of common reactions such as hydrolysis, esterification, amidation and reduction.
  • Apply the mechanisms to solve typical A‑Level exam questions.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen for slides/diagrams
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Handout summarising structures, naming rules and reactivity table
  • Printed reaction‑equation cards
  • Molecular model kits (optional)
  • Worksheets with mechanism practice problems
  • Laptop with ChemDraw or similar software
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick think‑pair‑share: “Why do carboxylic acids taste sour and how does that relate to their structure?” Recall that the carbonyl carbon is electrophilic and the –OH group can leave, which will guide today’s success criteria: you will be able to name each derivative, predict its reactivity and outline the nucleophilic acyl‑substitution mechanism.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5’) – Label a given carboxylic‑acid structure and write its typical pKₐ range.
  2. Mini‑lecture (15’) – General features, acidity and IUPAC naming using slides and board work.
  3. Interactive table activity (10’) – Groups complete a comparative reactivity table for acid halides, anhydrides, esters and amides.
  4. Mechanism demonstration (10’) – Teacher models nucleophilic acyl substitution, highlighting the tetrahedral intermediate.
  5. Guided practice (15’) – Worksheet problems on hydrolysis, esterification, saponification and amide formation; teacher circulates for feedback.
  6. Exam‑style question (10’) – Whole‑class solution of a past‑paper item (e.g., benzoic acid + SOCl₂) and discussion of amide low reactivity.
  7. Recap quiz (5’) – Quick Kahoot/exit ticket with three key points.
Conclusion:
Summarise that leaving‑group ability governs the reactivity order acid halide > anhydride > ester > amide, and that all follow the same tetrahedral‑intermediate mechanism. For the exit ticket, students write one real‑world example of each derivative’s use. Homework: finish the worksheet on reduction of esters and amides and prepare a short explanation of the Fischer esterification equilibrium.