Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 25/02/2026
Subject: Chemistry
Lesson Topic: Describe the extraction of iron from hematite in the blast furnace, limited to: (a) the burning of carbon (coke) to provide heat and produce carbon dioxide (b) the reduction of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide (c) the reduction of iron(III) oxide by
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the three key reactions in the blast furnace (coke combustion, CO₂ reduction to CO, and reduction of Fe₂O₃ by CO).
  • Explain how heat and reducing gases are generated and why they are essential for iron extraction.
  • Interpret the overall net equation for iron production from hematite.
  • Identify the role of limestone and slag formation in protecting molten iron.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and PowerPoint slides showing the blast‑furnace zones.
  • Handout diagram of a cross‑sectional blast furnace.
  • Worksheet with reaction equations and a flow‑chart template.
  • Model or 3‑D image of a blast furnace (optional).
  • Whiteboard and markers.
  • Exit‑ticket cards.
 Introduction:
Imagine a towering furnace glowing at 1500 °C, turning red rock into liquid iron. Review previous knowledge of oxidation‑reduction and ask students to name common reducing agents. Explain that today they will uncover how coke, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide work together to extract iron, and they will be able to write the net equation by the end of the lesson.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5 min): Quick quiz on metal extraction methods and basic redox concepts.
  2. Mini‑lecture with slides (10 min): Introduce the blast furnace, focus on reaction (a) – coke combustion and heat generation.
  3. Guided analysis (8 min): Examine the reaction table; students label each step (a‑c) and discuss the purpose of CO₂ → CO.
  4. Group activity (12 min): Using the handout, teams construct a flow‑chart of gas and solid movements inside the furnace.
  5. Check for understanding (5 min): Teacher poses concept questions; students respond with mini‑whiteboards.
  6. Summary & exit ticket (5 min): Recap the three key reactions and the net equation; students write one thing they still wonder about on a card.
Conclusion:
We revisited how coke provides heat, CO₂ is reduced to CO, and CO reduces Fe₂O₃ to iron, linking these steps to the overall equation. Students complete an exit ticket summarising the sequence and receive a homework task to research real‑world blast‑furnace efficiency improvements.