Lesson Plan | Active Methodology | Properties of Organic Compounds: Boiling and Melting Points

Premises: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class duration, prior student study both with the Book and the beginning of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be carried out during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a large part of the available time.

Objective

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

This objectives stage is pivotal in guiding students on the focus of the lesson and setting clear learning goals. By establishing expected outcomes, students can draw from their previous learning and engage more actively in classroom activities. This alignment also ensures that the teacher's expectations match desired learning outcomes, fostering an effective and targeted approach during the lesson.

Objective Utama:

1. Prepare students to verify and compare the boiling and melting points of various organic compounds, identifying patterns and influencing factors.

2. Facilitate the classification of organic compounds based on their polarity and link these properties with melting and boiling points.

Objective Tambahan:

1. Enhance critical analysis and argumentative skills when discussing the reasons behind the physical properties of organic compounds.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The introduction aims to hook students with familiar content, presenting problem-solving scenarios that encourage them to apply their theoretical knowledge. By contextualizing the real-world significance of organic compounds' properties, students can appreciate the relevance of their classroom learning to everyday and professional contexts, thus boosting their interest and motivation.

Problem-Based Situation

1. Imagine you're a chef creating a new ice cream flavor. You need to decide whether to use butter or coconut oil. How will your choice of these ingredients impact the ice cream's texture and consistency, given their melting points?

2. A testing lab has received mysterious samples of organic compounds and needs to ascertain, based on their melting and boiling points, whether they are pure or contain impurities. What methods and equipment could be employed for this analysis, and how might the polarity of each compound affect these properties?

Contextualization

Understanding the melting and boiling points of organic compounds goes beyond academic interest; it has practical implications in various sectors, such as the food and pharmaceutical industries. For instance, the selection of oils and fats in cooking is largely determined by their melting points, impacting the texture and stability of the final product. Additionally, grasping the polarity of compounds is vital in evaluating pollutants in our water and soil since solubility and reactivity play key roles.

Development

Duration: (65 - 75 minutes)

This development stage is structured to encourage students to practically and interactively use the theoretical knowledge they've gained about the melting and boiling points of organic compounds. The planned activities aim to deepen students' understanding of how molecular structure influences physical properties while enhancing teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. This hands-on approach solidifies learning and makes the subject matter more relatable.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended that only one of the suggested activities be carried out

Activity 1 - The Great Challenge of Melting and Boiling Points

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Apply theoretical understanding of melting and boiling points, polarity, and atomic structure in a practical setup, fostering teamwork and problem-solving abilities.

- Description: Students will be grouped into teams of up to 5, and each team will receive a 'mystery box' filled with samples of various organic compounds. They will need to determine, based on physical characteristics, the melting and boiling points of each compound, and classify them according to their polarity and real-world relevance.

- Instructions:

• Each group will get a box containing small quantities of different organic compounds.

• Students will identify and note the compounds present using a reference guide provided.

• They will use a microscope to examine the crystalline structure of each compound to help ascertain its properties.

• After identifying the compounds, students will estimate the melting and boiling points.

• Based on their findings, students will categorize the compounds by polarity and discuss their practical applications.

Activity 2 - Organic Compound Treasure Hunt

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Cultivate research skills, critical thinking, and practical knowledge about organic compounds, while promoting teamwork and creativity.

- Description: In this engaging activity, students will form groups to embark on a 'treasure hunt' around the school, seeking out and identifying common substances that contain organic compounds. They will collect samples, ascertain their melting and boiling points, and justify their classifications based on observed properties.

- Instructions:

• Organize students into groups of up to 5.

• Distribute a map of the school with clues leading to places where materials containing organic compounds can be found.

• Students will gather samples and return to the lab for analysis.

• Using available tools like microscopes and thermometers, they will deduce the melting and boiling points.

• Subsequently, they will present their findings and classifications to the rest of the class, providing justifications grounded in their observations.

Activity 3 - Chemical MasterChef

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Gain practical insights into how the properties of organic compounds can dictate the success of a culinary preparation, enhancing comprehension of concepts in a fun, applied manner.

- Description: Students will be tasked with preparing a dish using ingredients with different organic compounds that have varying melting and boiling points. They must justify their choices based on the compounds' physical properties and how these attributes impact the preparation and final outcome of the dish.

- Instructions:

• Split the class into groups of up to 5 students each.

• Each group will select a recipe that incorporates various oils, fats, and other organic compounds.

• Groups will research and validate their ingredient selections based on the melting and boiling point characteristics.

• During class, groups will prepare their dish while discussing the properties of the compounds used and their influence on preparation and flavor.

• Finally, each group will showcase their dish, elaborating on their choices and reasoning.

Feedback

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

This stage aims to consolidate students' learning by allowing them to share and debate their findings and understanding. The group discussion strengthens their grasp of the concepts studied, promotes collaborative learning, and aids in developing communication and argumentation skills. Moreover, this collective feedback is vital for the teacher to assess the effectiveness of the practical activities and the extent to which students have absorbed the content.

Group Discussion

At the end of the session, initiate a comprehensive group discussion with all students. Kick off the conversation with a brief intro, stressing the importance of sharing insights gained during the activities. Invite each group to share their key findings and conclusions. Encourage students to reason out their classifications of the compounds and relate their observed properties to practical uses. Facilitate a lively discussion, urging interaction between groups so that everyone benefits from each other's learning.

Key Questions

1. What were the main challenges faced while trying to ascertain the melting and boiling points of the compounds?

2. How did the molecular structure of the compounds impact their properties?

3. In what ways can the properties we've examined today be applied in real-life scenarios or in other scientific fields?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The conclusion reinforces the learning acquired throughout the lesson, ensuring that students can summarize and internalize the core concepts. It also emphasizes the relevance of studying the properties of organic compounds within practical contexts, solidifying the importance of the content in real-world applications. This stage is crucial for students to connect their lessons to real-life relevance, enhancing the perceived value of their education.

Summary

In summary, the lesson covered the properties of organic compounds, with a focus on melting and boiling points. Students successfully identified and compared these properties across different compounds, analyzing how molecular structure determines these critical points.

Theory Connection

The lesson effectively bridged theoretical concepts with practical application, allowing students to utilize their knowledge to determine melting and boiling points and classify compounds based on polarity. Activities such as 'Chemical MasterChef' showcased how these properties influence daily processes and industrial uses.

Closing

Grasping the physical properties of organic compounds, like melting and boiling points, is essential not only for Chemistry but also across several other fields, including the food and pharmaceutical sectors. These properties dictate the stability of culinary and pharmaceutical products, emphasizing the practical significance of what was covered in the lesson.