| Lesson Plan |
| Grade: |
Date: 25/02/2026 |
| Subject: Chemistry |
| Lesson Topic: Describe the ease in obtaining metals from their ores, related to the position of the metal in the reactivity series |
Learning Objective/s:
- Describe how the position of a metal in the reactivity series influences the difficulty of its extraction.
- Explain the main extraction methods (electrolysis, carbon reduction, displacement/electrolytic refining) and which metals they apply to.
- Compare the relative ease of extracting selected metals (Al, Fe, Zn, Cu, Ag, Au) using the reactivity series.
- Apply the reactivity series to predict the most economical extraction technique for a given metal.
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Materials Needed:
- Projector and screen
- Whiteboard and markers
- Printed handouts of the reactivity series and extraction table
- Short video of the Hall–Héroult process
- Sample ore models (e.g., aluminium oxide, iron ore)
- Worksheet for group activity
- Kahoot/quiz platform for exit ticket
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Introduction:
Begin with a quick think‑pair‑share: which metals do you think are hardest to obtain from their ores and why? Review the reactivity series covered in the previous lesson. Explain that today’s focus is on linking a metal’s position in that series to the extraction method and the effort required.
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Lesson Structure:
- Do‑now (5'): Matching activity – students pair metals with likely extraction methods on a worksheet.
- Mini‑lecture (10'): Review the reactivity series and introduce the concept of extraction difficulty, using a bar‑chart diagram.
- Demonstration (8'): Show a short video of the Hall–Héroult electrolysis process for aluminium.
- Group activity (12'): Teams analyse a table of metals (Al, Fe, Zn, Cu, Ag, Au) and decide the appropriate extraction method, justifying with the reactivity series.
- Guided practice (10'): Teacher works through balanced equations for carbon reduction and hydrogen reduction, highlighting energy considerations.
- Quick quiz (5'): Kahoot/exit‑ticket with three questions on extraction methods and reactivity positions.
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Conclusion:
Recap that metals higher in the reactivity series require energy‑intensive methods such as electrolysis, while less reactive metals are extracted more easily by carbon reduction or displacement. Ask students to write one sentence on a sticky note describing the best extraction method for a metal of their choice (exit ticket). For homework, complete the worksheet comparing extraction processes for two additional metals not covered in class.
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