Lesson Plan

• Describe the step‑growth condensation reactions that form nylon‑6,6 and PET.
• Identify the monomers used to synthesize nylon‑6,6 and PET.
• Draw the repeating unit of nylon‑6,6 showing the amide linkages.
• Draw the repeating unit of PET showing the ester linkages.
• Compare the functional groups present in polyamides and polyesters.

• Projector or interactive whiteboard
• Slides with reaction diagrams
• Handouts containing blank polymer structures
• Molecular model kits or online 3‑D modeling tool
• Whiteboard and markers

Begin with a quick question: “What plastic is your water bottle made from?” Connect this to students’ prior knowledge of polymers and highlight that PET and nylon are everyday materials. State that by the end of the lesson they will be able to draw and explain how these two polymers are built.

1. Do‑Now (5') – Short quiz on basic polymer terminology.
2. Mini‑lecture (10') – Review step‑growth condensation and introduce the monomers for nylon‑6,6 and PET.
3. Guided drawing – Nylon‑6,6 (15') – Teacher models the repeating unit; students draw it on handouts.
4. Guided drawing – PET (15') – Same process for the polyester repeating unit.
5. Comparison activity (10') – Students complete a Venn diagram contrasting amide vs. ester linkages.
6. Check for understanding (5') – Exit ticket: write one key difference between nylon and PET.

Summarise how both polymers are formed by condensation reactions but differ in their functional groups. Collect exit tickets to gauge understanding, and assign a brief homework task to sketch the polymer chain of either nylon‑6,6 or PET from memory.