Lesson Plan

• Describe why nitrogen is essential for plant growth.
• Identify the main ammonium and nitrate salts used as fertilisers.
• Explain how plants absorb and assimilate NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻.
• Evaluate the environmental impacts of excessive nitrogen fertiliser use.

• Projector and screen
• Whiteboard and markers
• Printed handouts of fertiliser tables
• Images of chemical formulas (NH₄⁺, NO₃⁻, etc.)
• Worksheet for comparing ammonium vs nitrate salts
• Exit‑ticket cards

Begin with the question, “How does a farmer ensure a bountiful harvest?” Connect to students’ prior knowledge of plant nutrition and outline the success criteria: students will list key fertiliser types, describe plant uptake, and discuss environmental considerations.

1. Do‑now (5') – Quick quiz on why nitrogen is vital for plants.
2. Mini‑lecture (10') – Slide presentation of ammonium and nitrate fertilisers, formulas, and N‑content.
3. Guided analysis (12') – Pair activity filling a comparison table of ammonium vs nitrate salts.
4. Demonstration (8') – Walk through a flow diagram of nitrogen from fertiliser to plant uptake.
5. Environmental discussion (8') – Think‑pair‑share on leaching and eutrophication.
6. Check for understanding (5') – Kahoot quiz covering key concepts.
7. Exit ticket (2') – Write one strategy to minimise nitrogen loss from fields.

Recap the main fertiliser types, plant uptake pathways, and environmental risks. Collect exit tickets to gauge understanding and assign homework: research a real‑world case of fertiliser misuse and propose a mitigation plan.