Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Chemistry
Lesson Topic: Predict the properties of other elements in Group I, given information about the elements
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the electron configuration and valence‑electron characteristic of Group I elements.
  • Explain the trends in atomic radius, ionisation energy, reactivity with water, and standard electrode potential down the group.
  • Predict the physical and chemical properties of an unknown Group I element using these trends.
  • Apply the trend analysis to solve practice questions on ionisation‑energy ordering and reaction exothermicity.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen
  • Periodic‑table poster highlighting Group I
  • Worksheet with trend tables and prediction tasks
  • Handout of alkali‑metal data (atomic radius, melting point, etc.)
  • Calculators
  • Safety goggles and a short video of an alkali‑metal‑water reaction
 Introduction:
Begin with a brief video of sodium reacting vigorously with water to hook interest. Recall that alkali metals possess a single valence electron, which drives their characteristic properties. Explain that today students will use observed trends to predict the behaviour of any Group I element, including those not yet discovered. Success will be shown by accurate predictions in the guided activity.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5'): Quick quiz on electron configurations of Li, Na, K; teacher checks answers.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10'): Review Group I characteristics and display a trend table on the projector.
  3. Guided practice (15'): Students complete a worksheet analysing trends and predicting properties for a hypothetical element “X”.
  4. Demonstration video (5'): Watch a safe potassium‑in‑water reaction; discuss observations in relation to the reactivity trend.
  5. Independent task (10'): Predict properties of element 119 (Uue) using the trend checklist; record responses.
  6. Peer review (5'): Pairs exchange predictions and justify using the trends.
  7. Exit ticket (5'): Write one sentence predicting the melting‑point trend for the next undiscovered alkali metal.
Conclusion:
Recap the key trends that allow us to predict properties of Group I elements and highlight how the activity demonstrated this skill. Collect exit tickets for a quick retrieval check. For homework, assign a worksheet where students must predict the properties of an unknown Group I element in period 6 and justify each prediction using the discussed trends.