Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Chemistry
Lesson Topic: State that plastics are made from polymers
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the concepts of monomers, polymers and polymerisation.
  • Explain how polymerisation produces the polymers that form plastics.
  • Identify common plastics and match them to their monomer precursors.
  • Compare addition (chain‑growth) and condensation (step‑growth) polymerisation.
  • Evaluate why the properties of polymers make plastics useful in everyday applications.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Printed handouts with the plastics‑monomer table
  • Sample plastic items (e.g., PET bottle, PVC pipe)
  • Molecular model kits (optional)
  • Worksheet for the matching activity
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick display of everyday plastic items and ask students what they have in common. Recall prior learning about molecules and bonding, linking it to the idea of large molecules. State that by the end of the lesson they will be able to state that plastics are made from polymers and explain the process.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5') – Students list items made of plastic on sticky notes and share.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10') – Define monomer, polymer, polymerisation; show diagram of monomers linking.
  3. Interactive matching activity (15') – Using handouts, students match common plastics to their monomers; teacher circulates for checks.
  4. Video demonstration (10') – Short animation contrasting addition and condensation polymerisation.
  5. Group discussion (10') – Why polymer properties matter; each group lists two uses of a chosen plastic.
  6. Formative check (5') – Exit ticket: one sentence stating how plastics are made from polymers.
Conclusion:
Recap the key points: polymers are long chains of monomers, polymerisation creates the material we call plastic, and different polymerisation types give different plastics. Collect exit tickets and remind students to complete the homework – research a plastic product, identify its monomer(s) and polymerisation type, and be ready to share next lesson.