Condensation polymers GCSE - 2016 specification - includes bioplastics class practical

This is chemistry lesson designed for the 2016 specification for the exam board AQA and topic 4.7 organic chemistry. This lesson covers content that is new to GCSE and was previously covered only in A level chemistry. The challenge with planning this is that students are greatly limited by what they learn at GCSE. For example they do not learn about terms such as 'arene', 'carbonyl', 'amine' and do not recognise that (CH2)6 = CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2. The lesson recaps addition polymers then introduces condensation polymers as polymers that are found in nature as well being man-made. There is an exam of an easier A level past paper question on identifying the monomers. Most A level questions on this topic are far too challenging to be put into the 2016 GCSE specification. Students then compare the environmental impact of natural vs manmade polymers (RSC paper cups activity - link has been provided) and answer a 6 mark exam question. They then peer mark the exam question using a student friendly marking grid. There is the option of carrying out a bioplastics practical that I have created - note that the bioplastics take at least 2 days to dry out. Please rate these resources and leave feedback.