Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: 10 Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Chemistry
Lesson Topic: Identify the repeat units and/or linkages in addition polymers and in condensation polymers
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the difference between addition and condensation polymerisation mechanisms.
  • Identify the repeat unit and linkage type for common addition polymers.
  • Identify the repeat unit, functional linkage, and small molecule eliminated for common condensation polymers.
  • Apply the identification steps to write repeat units for given polymer examples.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Printed worksheets with polymer tables
  • Molecular model kits or structure cards
  • Sample polymer items (e.g., PET bottle, PVC pipe)
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick image of everyday plastic items to spark interest. Review that polymers are long chains of repeating units and recall the two polymerisation types studied previously. Explain that today students will learn how to recognise the repeat unit and the type of linkage in both addition and condensation polymers, which will be the success criteria for the lesson.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5’) – Students list everyday plastics and preliminarily classify them as addition or condensation polymers.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10’) – Teacher revisits addition vs condensation mechanisms, highlighting double bonds and small‑molecule loss, using projector slides.
  3. Guided practice (12’) – In pairs, students use printed tables to identify repeat units and linkages for three addition polymers and two condensation polymers, recording answers on worksheets.
  4. Whole‑class check (8’) – Review worksheet answers, discuss misconceptions, and annotate a polymer chain diagram showing the linkage.
  5. Application activity (10’) – Students are given a novel monomer pair (e.g., hexamethylenediamine + adipic acid) and must write the repeat unit, indicate the linkage, and name the small molecule eliminated.
  6. Exit ticket (5’) – Each student writes one correct identification statement for a polymer of their choice.
Conclusion:
Summarise how the polymerisation type determines the linkage observed in the repeat unit. Collect exit tickets where students state the polymer type and its linkage as a quick retrieval check. Assign homework: research a commercial polymer not covered, write its repeat unit, and classify it as addition or condensation for the next lesson.