Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 25/02/2026
Subject: Chemistry
Lesson Topic: State the order of the reactivity series as: potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, carbon, zinc, iron, hydrogen, copper, silver, gold
Learning Objective/s:
  • State the correct order of the reactivity series for the listed metals and hydrogen.
  • Explain how the series predicts outcomes of single‑replacement reactions.
  • Analyse the role of ionisation energy and electrode potentials in determining reactivity.
  • Apply the series to select appropriate extraction methods for different metals.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector or interactive whiteboard
  • Printed worksheet with series ordering activity
  • Set of metal sample cards or images
  • Reaction demonstration materials (zinc strip, copper sulfate solution)
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Exit‑ticket slips
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick demonstration where a zinc strip is added to copper sulfate, producing a visible colour change. Ask students what they expect to happen and link it to prior knowledge of metal reactivity. Clarify that by the end of the lesson they will be able to list the series and use it to predict displacement reactions.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5’) – Students order a mixed list of metal symbols on their worksheet.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10’) – Explain the reactivity series, ionisation energy and electrode potentials.
  3. Guided practice (12’) – Work through displacement reaction examples as a class, filling a table.
  4. Hands‑on demo (8’) – Perform the zinc‑copper sulfate experiment, discuss observations.
  5. Extraction methods activity (10’) – Match metals to appropriate extraction technique using the series.
  6. Check for understanding (5’) – Quick quiz via Kahoot or exit ticket.
  7. Summary & reflection (5’) – Recap key points and answer remaining questions.
Conclusion:
Summarise how the reactivity series orders metals by their tendency to lose electrons and its practical uses in predicting reactions and extraction. Students complete an exit ticket stating one real‑world application of the series. For homework, assign a worksheet to write balanced equations for two displacement reactions using metals from different positions in the series.