Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Chemistry
Lesson Topic: State that the bonding in alkanes is single covalent and that alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the general formula of alkanes and determine the hydrogen count for a given number of carbon atoms.
  • Explain why alkanes are classified as saturated hydrocarbons.
  • Identify the type of covalent bonding present in alkanes and illustrate it with structural examples.
  • Apply IUPAC naming rules to correctly name the first four alkanes.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and slides
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Printed worksheet with alkane structures
  • Ball‑and‑stick molecular model kits
  • Chemistry textbook (IGCSE chapter on alkanes)
  • Exit‑ticket cards
 Introduction:
Begin with a short video showing everyday fuels and ask students what the molecules might have in common.
Recall that students already know about covalent bonds and molecular formulas from previous lessons.
Today they will determine how alkanes are built and why they are called saturated hydrocarbons.
Success will be measured by correctly writing the formula for a given alkane and naming it using IUPAC rules.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5') – Students write the molecular formula for methane and identify the bond types present.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10') – Present definition, general formula CₙH₂ₙ₊₂, and single‑bond nature using slides and model kits.
  3. Guided practice (12') – Build and label the first four alkanes with models; practice IUPAC naming.
  4. Worksheet activity (8') – Complete a worksheet matching alkanes to formulas and explaining saturation.
  5. Check for understanding (10') – In pairs, answer three “Check Your Understanding” questions while teacher circulates.
  6. Summary & exit ticket (5') – Each student writes one reason alkanes are saturated and one example of an alkane on a card.
Conclusion:
We revisited how every carbon in an alkane forms four single σ‑bonds, giving the formula CₙH₂ₙ₊₂ and making the series saturated.
For the exit ticket, students recorded one property that results from saturation and an example alkane.
Homework: research a common alkane used as a fuel (e.g., octane) and write a short paragraph describing its uses and why its saturated nature matters.