The table below outlines KofaStudy’s SS1 Chemistry First Term Scheme of Work. It is aligned with the NERDC curriculum and follows KofaStudy’s structured teaching sequence for the first term.
| Lesson | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| 1. Introduction to Chemistry and Laboratory Apparatus | * Meaning of Chemistry * Uses and Applications of Chemistry * Adverse Effects of Chemistry * Careers in Chemistry * Common Laboratory Apparatus and Their Uses |
| 2. Nature of Matter | * Nature of Matter * Physical and Chemical Changes * Elements, Compounds and Mixtures |
| 3. Separation Techniques I | * Introduction to Separation Techniques * Principles and Methods of Separating Mixtures |
| 4. Separation Techniques II | * Crystallization * Separating Funnel * Sublimation * Precipitation * Chromatography |
| 5. Particulate Nature of Matter I | * Evidence for the Particulate Nature of Matter * Atoms, Molecules and Ions * Dalton’s Atomic Theory * Discovery of Electrons, Protons and Neutrons * Arrangement of Particles in an Atom * Atomic Structure |
| 6. Particulate Nature of Matter II | * Atomic Number and Mass Number * Mass Spectrometer * Isotopy * Relative Atomic Mass * Relative Molecular Mass * Vapour Density of Gases * Percentage Composition * Empirical Formula * Molecular Formula |
| 7. Symbols, Formulae & Oxidation Number | * Symbols and Formulae * Chemical Formulae * Binary Compounds * Tertiary and Quaternary Compounds * Oxidation Number * Rules for Writing Chemical Formulae * Hydrated Salts |
| 8. Laws of Chemical Combination | * Laws of Chemical Combination * Law of Conservation of Mass * Law of Constant Composition * Law of Multiple Proportions |
| 9. Chemical Equation & Chemical Combination (Chemical Bonding) I | * Chemical Equations * Information Given and Not Given by Chemical Equations * Calculations from Chemical Equations * Introduction to Chemical Bonding |
| 10. Chemical Combination (Chemical Bonding) II | * Types of Bonding * Electrovalent (Ionic) Bonding * Covalent Bonding * Coordinate Covalent (Dative) Bonding |
| 11. Chemical Combination (Chemical Bonding) III & Shapes of Covalent Molecules | * Metallic Bonding * Intermolecular Forces * Shapes of Covalent Molecules |
The sequence above follows the existing KofaStudy course, including the progression from Nature of Matter into Separation Techniques and then Particulate Nature of Matter. The later lessons similarly follow the existing progression through formulae, laws of chemical combination and bonding.
Lesson 1 โ Introduction to Chemistry and Laboratory Apparatus
Topics Covered:
- Meaning of Chemistry
- Uses and Applications of Chemistry
- Adverse Effects of Chemistry
- Careers in Chemistry
- Common Laboratory Apparatus and Their Uses
These correspond directly to the five topics currently taught in KofaStudy Lesson 1.
Performance Objectives:
Students should be able to:
- define chemistry
- explain the importance of chemistry in everyday life
- identify different applications of chemistry
- identify career opportunities related to chemistry
- describe some adverse effects associated with the misuse of chemicals
- identify common laboratory apparatus and state their uses
Teacher Activities:
Teachers should:
- define chemistry and discuss its importance with familiar examples
- guide students to identify applications of chemistry in areas such as medicine, agriculture, industry and everyday life
- discuss chemistry-related careers
- explain adverse effects associated with chemicals, including poisoning, pollution, corrosion and drug abuse
- display common laboratory apparatus and demonstrate their correct uses
Student Activities:
Students should:
- participate in class discussions about chemistry
- identify examples of chemistry in everyday life
- mention careers related to chemistry
- discuss beneficial and harmful uses of chemicals
- observe and identify common laboratory apparatus
- state the uses of selected apparatus
Teaching & Learning Resources:
- chemistry textbooks
- charts and posters
- pictures showing applications and careers in chemistry
- common laboratory apparatus
- laboratory equipment charts
- locally available materials
Evaluation Guide:
Students should be able to:
- define chemistry
- state applications of chemistry
- identify chemistry-related careers
- state adverse effects associated with chemicals
- identify common laboratory apparatus and state their uses
Lesson 2 โ Nature of Matter
Topics Covered:
- Nature of Matter
- Physical and Chemical Changes
- Elements, Compounds and Mixtures
Performance Objectives:
Students should be able to:
- explain the meaning and nature of matter
- distinguish between physical and chemical changes
- give examples of physical and chemical changes
- distinguish between elements, compounds and mixtures
- classify common substances as elements, compounds or mixtures
Teacher Activities:
Teachers should:
- introduce matter using familiar substances
- demonstrate simple physical and chemical changes
- guide students to identify the differences between the two types of change
- explain elements, compounds and mixtures using appropriate examples
- demonstrate simple examples such as melting, dissolution and burning where appropriate
Student Activities:
Students should:
- identify examples of matter in their surroundings
- observe demonstrations of physical and chemical changes
- classify observed changes
- give examples of elements, compounds and mixtures
- distinguish between the three classes of substances
Teaching & Learning Resources:
- water
- common salt
- sugar
- candle
- matches
- chalk
- charts
- samples of elements, compounds and mixtures
Evaluation Guide:
Students should be able to:
- explain the meaning of matter
- differentiate between physical and chemical changes
- give examples of each type of change
- distinguish between elements, compounds and mixtures
- classify given substances correctly
Lesson 3 โ Separation Techniques I
Topics Covered:
- Introduction to Separation Techniques
- Principles and Methods of Separating Mixtures
Performance Objectives:
Students should be able to:
- explain why mixtures are separated
- identify properties that can be used to separate components of mixtures
- describe common methods of separating mixtures
- select appropriate separation techniques for simple mixtures
- relate separation methods to practical applications
Teacher Activities:
Teachers should:
- introduce separation using familiar mixtures
- explain that separation methods depend on differences in physical properties
- demonstrate appropriate simple separation techniques
- guide students to determine suitable methods for different mixtures
- relate separation techniques to everyday and industrial applications
Student Activities:
Students should:
- identify mixtures that can be separated
- observe separation demonstrations
- suggest appropriate methods for separating given mixtures
- participate in simple separation activities
- explain why a selected technique is appropriate
Teaching & Learning Resources:
- mixtures of sand and water
- salt solution
- filtration apparatus
- evaporating dish
- beakers
- funnels
- filter paper
- magnets and other appropriate laboratory materials
Evaluation Guide:
Students should be able to:
- state reasons for separating mixtures
- identify properties used in separating mixtures
- name common separation techniques
- select suitable techniques for given mixtures
- explain the principles behind selected techniques
Lesson 4 โ Separation Techniques II
Topics Covered:
- Crystallization
- Separating Funnel
- Sublimation
- Precipitation
- Chromatography
These five techniques form the existing KofaStudy Lesson 4.
Performance Objectives:
Students should be able to:
- explain crystallization and its applications
- describe how a separating funnel is used
- explain sublimation
- describe precipitation as a separation method
- explain the principle of chromatography
- select an appropriate technique for a given mixture
Teacher Activities:
Teachers should:
- demonstrate crystallization using a suitable solution
- demonstrate or illustrate the use of a separating funnel
- explain sublimation using suitable examples
- demonstrate the formation and separation of a precipitate where appropriate
- demonstrate simple paper chromatography
- compare the principles behind the different techniques
Student Activities:
Students should:
- observe and participate in demonstrations
- identify the property on which each technique depends
- use a separating funnel under supervision where available
- observe crystal formation
- carry out simple paper chromatography
- match different mixtures with suitable separation techniques
Teaching & Learning Resources:
- separating funnel
- beakers
- evaporating dishes
- filter paper
- chromatography paper
- suitable solutions
- sublimable substances
- laboratory stands and clamps
- charts and diagrams
Evaluation Guide:
Students should be able to:
- explain crystallization, sublimation, precipitation and chromatography
- describe the use of a separating funnel
- identify the principle involved in each technique
- choose suitable separation methods for given mixtures
Lesson 5 โ Particulate Nature of Matter I
Topics Covered:
- Evidence for the Particulate Nature of Matter
- Atoms, Molecules and Ions
- Dalton’s Atomic Theory
- Discovery of Electrons, Protons and Neutrons
- Arrangement of Particles in an Atom
- Atomic Structure
The KofaStudy course develops this as a six-topic lesson before proceeding to atomic number and isotopy in Lesson 6.
Performance Objectives:
Students should be able to:
- explain the particulate nature of matter
- identify evidence that matter consists of particles
- distinguish between atoms, molecules and ions
- state the main postulates of Dalton’s atomic theory
- identify electrons, protons and neutrons
- state the charges and relative masses of subatomic particles
- describe the basic structure of an atom
Teacher Activities:
Teachers should:
- demonstrate or discuss evidence for the particulate nature of matter
- explain atoms, molecules and ions using models and diagrams
- discuss Dalton’s atomic theory
- explain the discovery and characteristics of the electron, proton and neutron
- illustrate the arrangement of particles within an atom
- guide students in interpreting diagrams of atomic structure
Student Activities:
Students should:
- observe demonstrations illustrating particulate behaviour
- distinguish between atoms, molecules and ions
- state Dalton’s atomic theory
- identify the three major subatomic particles
- compare their charges and relative masses
- draw simple representations of atoms
Teaching & Learning Resources:
- atomic models
- charts of atomic structure
- coloured beads or balls
- diagrams
- chemistry textbooks
- suitable demonstrations of diffusion
Evaluation Guide:
Students should be able to:
- explain the particulate nature of matter
- distinguish between atoms, molecules and ions
- state Dalton’s atomic theory
- identify electrons, protons and neutrons
- state their charges and relative masses
- describe the structure of an atom
Lesson 6 โ Particulate Nature of Matter II
Topics Covered:
- Atomic Number and Mass Number
- Mass Spectrometer
- Isotopy
- Relative Atomic Mass
- Relative Molecular Mass
- Vapour Density of Gases
- Percentage Composition
- Empirical Formula
- Molecular Formula
These are the nine topics in the current LearnDash lesson.
Performance Objectives:
Students should be able to:
- define atomic number and mass number
- relate atomic number to the number of protons and electrons in an atom
- explain isotopy
- identify isotopes of selected elements
- explain the basic use of the mass spectrometer
- calculate relative atomic and relative molecular masses
- relate vapour density to relative molecular mass
- calculate percentage composition of compounds
- determine empirical formulae from percentage composition or appropriate data
- determine molecular formulae from empirical formulae and relative molecular mass
Teacher Activities:
Teachers should:
- explain atomic and mass numbers using appropriate examples
- demonstrate isotope notation
- explain the principle and basic use of a mass spectrometer
- guide students through calculations of relative atomic and molecular masses
- explain percentage composition
- work through examples involving empirical and molecular formulae
- provide progressively more challenging calculation exercises
Student Activities:
Students should:
- determine numbers of protons, neutrons and electrons from given atomic data
- identify isotopes
- calculate relative atomic and molecular masses
- solve problems involving percentage composition
- determine empirical formulae
- calculate molecular formulae from given data
Teaching & Learning Resources:
- periodic table
- atomic structure charts
- isotope diagrams
- calculator
- charts or diagrams of a mass spectrometer
- chemistry textbooks
- worked-example sheets
Evaluation Guide:
Students should be able to:
- define atomic number, mass number and isotopy
- calculate numbers of subatomic particles
- explain the basic purpose of a mass spectrometer
- calculate relative atomic and molecular masses
- calculate percentage composition
- determine empirical and molecular formulae
Lesson 7 โ Symbols, Formulae & Oxidation Number
Topics Covered:
- Symbols and Formulae
- Chemical Formulae
- Binary Compounds
- Tertiary and Quaternary Compounds
- Oxidation Number
- Rules for Writing Chemical Formulae
- Hydrated Salts
The existing course contains all seven as separate topics.
Performance Objectives:
Students should be able to:
- write symbols of common elements
- interpret chemical formulae
- identify binary, tertiary and quaternary compounds
- determine oxidation numbers of elements in simple compounds
- use oxidation numbers and valencies to write chemical formulae
- identify hydrated salts
- interpret formulae of hydrated compounds
Teacher Activities:
Teachers should:
- review common chemical symbols
- explain how chemical formulae represent composition
- distinguish between binary, tertiary and quaternary compounds
- explain oxidation numbers with worked examples
- demonstrate rules for constructing chemical formulae
- introduce hydrated salts using suitable examples
Student Activities:
Students should:
- write symbols of common elements
- identify different classes of compounds from their formulae
- determine oxidation numbers
- construct formulae from given ions or elements
- identify hydrated salts from their formulae
- practise formula-writing exercises
Teaching & Learning Resources:
- periodic table
- charts of elements and common ions
- formula cards
- chemistry textbooks
- sample hydrated salts where available
Evaluation Guide:
Students should be able to:
- write symbols of common elements
- distinguish between different classes of compounds
- determine oxidation numbers
- write correct chemical formulae
- identify and interpret hydrated salts
Lesson 8 โ Laws of Chemical Combination
Topics Covered:
- Laws of Chemical Combination
- Law of Conservation of Mass
- Law of Constant Composition
- Law of Multiple Proportions
These are the four topics taught in the existing Lesson 8.
Performance Objectives:
Students should be able to:
- explain the meaning of the laws of chemical combination
- state the law of conservation of mass
- state the law of constant composition
- state the law of multiple proportions
- illustrate the laws using appropriate examples
- solve simple problems based on the laws
Teacher Activities:
Teachers should:
- introduce the laws of chemical combination
- demonstrate or illustrate conservation of mass
- explain constant composition using appropriate compounds
- use numerical examples to illustrate multiple proportions
- guide students through simple calculations
Student Activities:
Students should:
- state each law
- observe appropriate demonstrations
- interpret data illustrating the laws
- solve simple numerical problems
- identify which law is demonstrated by given examples
Teaching & Learning Resources:
- balances
- simple reaction apparatus
- charts
- molecular models
- numerical data tables
- chemistry textbooks
Evaluation Guide:
Students should be able to:
- state the three laws of chemical combination
- explain each law using an example
- identify the applicable law from given experimental data
- perform simple calculations based on the laws
Lesson 9 โ Chemical Equation & Chemical Combination (Chemical Bonding) I
Topics Covered:
- Chemical Equations
- Information Given and Not Given by a Chemical Equation
- Calculations from Chemical Equations
- Introduction to Chemical Bonding
These four topics are grouped together in KofaStudy’s Lesson 9.
Performance Objectives:
Students should be able to:
- explain the meaning of a chemical equation
- write simple chemical equations
- balance simple chemical equations
- identify information conveyed by a chemical equation
- identify limitations of the information provided by an equation
- perform simple calculations from chemical equations
- explain why atoms form chemical bonds
- relate bonding to the electronic arrangement of atoms
Teacher Activities:
Teachers should:
- explain chemical equations using familiar reactions
- demonstrate how equations are written and balanced
- discuss information that can and cannot be obtained directly from equations
- guide students through calculations based on equations
- introduce chemical bonding in terms of the stability of atoms
Student Activities:
Students should:
- translate simple reactions into equations
- balance chemical equations
- interpret given equations
- perform simple calculations
- discuss why atoms combine
- identify electrons involved in simple bonding examples
Teaching & Learning Resources:
- periodic table
- equation cards
- molecular models
- charts
- calculators
- chemistry textbooks
Evaluation Guide:
Students should be able to:
- write and balance simple chemical equations
- interpret information contained in equations
- perform simple calculations from equations
- explain the basic reason for chemical bonding
Lesson 10 โ Chemical Combination (Chemical Bonding) II
Topics Covered:
- Types of Bonding
- Electrovalent (Ionic) Bonding
- Covalent Bonding
- Coordinate Covalent (Dative) Bonding
The existing LearnDash lesson treats these as four topics.
Performance Objectives:
Students should be able to:
- identify major types of chemical bonding
- explain the formation of electrovalent bonds
- explain the formation of covalent bonds
- explain coordinate covalent bonding
- illustrate bonding using electron arrangements
- distinguish between ionic, covalent and coordinate covalent bonds
- give examples of substances containing each type of bond
Teacher Activities:
Teachers should:
- introduce the major types of bonding
- use electron configurations to demonstrate transfer and sharing of electrons
- illustrate ionic bonding with appropriate examples
- illustrate covalent bonding with simple molecules
- explain coordinate covalent bonding
- compare the characteristics of the different bond types
Student Activities:
Students should:
- identify different bond types
- draw electron arrangements for selected atoms
- illustrate electron transfer in ionic bonding
- illustrate electron sharing in covalent bonding
- identify examples of coordinate covalent bonding
- compare the different types of bonds
Teaching & Learning Resources:
- periodic table
- atomic models
- molecular models
- coloured beads
- electron configuration charts
- diagrams
- chemistry textbooks
Evaluation Guide:
Students should be able to:
- identify different types of chemical bonding
- explain ionic, covalent and coordinate covalent bonding
- illustrate bond formation using electrons
- distinguish between the three types
- give suitable examples
Lesson 11 โ Chemical Combination (Chemical Bonding) III & Shapes of Covalent Molecules
Topics Covered:
- Metallic Bonding
- Intermolecular Forces
- Shapes of Covalent Molecules
These are the three topics completing the First Term LearnDash course.
Performance Objectives:
Students should be able to:
- explain metallic bonding
- relate metallic bonding to selected properties of metals
- explain the meaning of intermolecular forces
- identify examples of weak intermolecular forces
- distinguish between bonds within molecules and forces between molecules
- describe the shapes of selected simple covalent molecules
- relate molecular shape to the arrangement of bonding electron pairs
Teacher Activities:
Teachers should:
- explain metallic bonding using appropriate models
- relate metallic bonding to properties such as electrical conductivity
- introduce intermolecular forces
- discuss hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces at an appropriate SS1 level
- use molecular models to illustrate shapes of simple covalent molecules
- guide students to compare different molecular arrangements
Student Activities:
Students should:
- describe metallic bonding
- identify properties associated with metallic structure
- distinguish intermolecular forces from strong chemical bonds
- identify examples of intermolecular forces
- construct or examine molecular models
- identify the shapes of selected covalent molecules
Teaching & Learning Resources:
- molecular models
- atomic models
- metallic samples
- charts and diagrams
- periodic table
- coloured balls or beads
- chemistry textbooks
Evaluation Guide:
Students should be able to:
- explain metallic bonding
- explain intermolecular forces
- give examples of weak intermolecular forces
- distinguish intermolecular forces from ionic and covalent bonds
- identify the shapes of selected simple covalent molecules
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