Lesson Plan

• Describe the condensation polymerisation process for polyamides and polyesters.
• Identify the functional groups of dicarboxylic acids, diamines, and diols.
• Construct the repeat unit of a condensation polymer from given monomers.
• Deduce the original monomers from a provided repeat unit.
• Apply the method to solve novel polymer problems.

• Projector or interactive whiteboard
• Printed worksheets with monomer/repeat‑unit tables
• Molecular model kits or online modelling software
• Whiteboard and markers
• Exit‑ticket cards

Begin with a quick visual of everyday plastics (e.g., nylon stockings, PET bottles) to spark curiosity. Review the concept of condensation polymerisation and the role of water as a by‑product. Explain that by the end of the lesson students will be able to move confidently between monomers and repeat units for polyamides and polyesters.

1. Do‑Now (5'): Students answer a short quiz on functional groups of dicarboxylic acids, diamines and diols.
2. Mini‑lecture (10'): Present key concepts – condensation polymerisation, repeat unit, and the –CO–NH– / –CO–O– linkages.
3. Guided Example – Polyamide (12'): Work through Nylon‑6,6 step‑by‑step, highlighting water loss and repeat‑unit formation.
4. Guided Example – Polyester (12'): Repeat the process with PET, emphasizing the –CO–O– linkage.
5. Paired Practice (15'): Students receive new monomer pairs and must draw the repeat unit, then swap sheets to deduce monomers from a given repeat unit.
6. Check for Understanding (5'): Whole‑class review of answers and an exit‑ticket question summarising the method.

Summarise the five‑step method for moving between monomers and repeat units and remind students of the characteristic linkages for polyamides and polyesters. Collect exit tickets to gauge mastery and assign a homework task: choose a common polymer, identify its monomers, and sketch its repeat unit.