Polymers Interview Lesson

Contents
Complete with interview lesson plan, this lesson was originally developed for Section C1 of the now discontinued ‘Science A’ AQA Specification for Year 10 Core Exams, however this is still in the specification for the new 9-1 Chemistry (triple) exam, particularly higher tier.

Learning Objective
• To explain how polymers are made from monomers and the difference between alkanes and alkenes.

Differentiated for learners:

• All students will be able to recognise the primary difference between an alkene and an alkane and know the difference between a monomer and a polymer
• Most students will be able to describe how a polymer is formed and how to show this using structural formulae
• Some students will go even further and be able to express some of the complex environmental issues surrounding the production of polymers and how these can be resolved.

Notes
The lesson can be pulled off in as little as 50 minutes with good pace but has enough material for more. You will require the ‘coloured card’ method of using various coloured cards with letters on them (A, B, C or D) to match appropriately with the quiz questions. The sea of colours helps to quickly identify any students who don’t understand, and demonstrate to the observer that progress is being made.