Chemistry in SS1 introduces students to the particulate nature of matter, laboratory skills, fundamental chemical concepts and basic calculations that form the bedrock for senior secondary science. A clear scheme of work translates the national syllabus into weekly lessons, showing teachers what to cover each week, which practicals to carry out, expected learning outcomes and assessment checkpoints.
Advertisements
You have been blocked from seeing ads.
';
endif;
?>
The scheme below is classroom-tested and aligned to commonly adopted Nigerian schemes (NERDC framework and state unified schemes). Use this as a template adapt week counts to your school calendar and resource availability.
Curriculum basis & alignment
SS1 Chemistry schemes used by most Nigerian schools are based on the Revised NERDC Senior Secondary School Curriculum and the Unified Scheme of Work produced by several state education ministries (often repackaged on portals such as syllabus.ng). These authoritative sources prescribe breadth and sequencing: introduction to chemistry, particulate nature of matter, laboratory apparatus and safety, atomic structure, periodic trends, chemical combination and reactions, separation techniques and basic industrial chemistry spread across three terms. Always cross-check your final plan with the current NERDC e-curriculum and any state-specific unified scheme adopted by your school.
How to use this document
- Treat each “week” as one teaching unit (map to your school’s lesson hours).
- Include practicals where suggested practical skills are mandatory and examinable.
- Use the assessment blueprint at the end when designing term tests.
- Adapt language level and practical complexity to your students’ backgrounds.
The scheme is presented week-by-week for each term (12–13 weeks per term), followed by practical suggestions, assessment guidance, recommended textbooks and lesson delivery tips.
Advertisements
You have been blocked from seeing ads.
';
endif;
?>
Also See :SS1 Mathematics Scheme of Work for Nigerian Secondary Schools (Full First, Second & Third Term Breakdown)
Term-by-term scheme (week-by-week)
FIRST TERM (Weeks 1–12) — Foundation, Laboratory Skills & The Particulate Nature of Matter
Week 1 — Introduction to Chemistry & Careers
- Topics: Definition and scope of chemistry; branches (organic, inorganic, physical, analytical, biochemistry); relevance to everyday life and careers.
- Learning outcomes: Students can define chemistry, list branches and suggest career options (chemist, pharmacologist, lab technician, environmental scientist).
- Activity: Class discussion, career posters.
Week 2 — Laboratory Safety & Apparatus
- Topics: Laboratory rules, safety symbols, first aid basics, common apparatus (beaker, conical flask, pipette, burette, tripod, gauze, test-tube, funnel, balance).
- Outcomes: Safe lab behaviour; correct use and naming of apparatus.
- Practical: Demonstration on handling apparatus and how to measure mass and volume.
Week 3 — Nature of Matter: States & Properties
- Topics: Solids, liquids, gases — properties (shape, volume, compressibility); physical vs chemical properties.
- Outcomes: Distinguish states and give examples of physical vs chemical changes.
- Practical: Observe melting/freezing and boiling (water/ice) experiments; record observations.
Week 4 — Particulate Nature of Matter (Kinetic Model)
- Topics: Particles (molecules/atoms), arrangement in states of matter, explanation of expansion/compression using particle model.
- Outcomes: Explain macroscopic properties using particle arrangement and movement.
- Activity: Particle diagrams; group modelling with balls/strings.
Week 5 — Changes of State & Diffusion
- Topics: Evaporation, condensation, sublimation, diffusion in gases and liquids.
- Outcomes: Describe diffusion experiments and examples (perfume spread).
- Practical: Demonstrate diffusion of potassium permanganate in water.
Week 6 — Mixtures and Separation Techniques (Introduction)
- Topics: Types of mixtures (homogeneous, heterogeneous); simple separation methods: filtration, evaporation, decantation, magnetic separation.
- Outcomes: Choose appropriate separation methods for mixtures.
- Practical: Filtration (sand & water), evaporation to recover salt from solution.
Week 7 — Advanced Separation Techniques
- Topics: Distillation (simple), fractional distillation concept, chromatography (paper chromatography basics).
- Outcomes: Explain when and how to use distillation and chromatography.
- Practical: Simple distillation of a salt-water/ethanol-water mixture demonstration (teacher demo) and paper chromatography of ink.
Week 8 — Elements, Compounds and Symbols
- Topics: Definitions: elements, compounds, chemical formulae, chemical symbols, writing formulae for simple compounds (H₂O, CO₂, NaCl).
- Outcomes: Recognize symbols, write simple chemical formulae and name common compounds.
- Activity: Matching exercises and formula writing drills.
Week 9 — Chemical Equations & Law of Conservation of Mass (Intro)
- Topics: Word and symbol equations, balancing simple equations, conservation of mass concept.
- Outcomes: Balance simple chemical equations and explain conservation of mass in closed systems.
- Practical: Simple combustion or precipitation reactions for observation (teacher-supervised).
Week 10 — Acids, Bases & Indicators (Intro)
- Topics: Definitions of acids and bases (taste, pH concept), natural indicators (litmus), laboratory indicators (phenolphthalein).
- Outcomes: Use litmus to test pH nature of household substances (vinegar, soap).
- Practical: Litmus tests and pH paper demonstration using safe household chemicals.
Week 11 — Air & Water (Composition & Importance)
- Topics: Composition of air (N₂, O₂, CO₂ approx. percentages), water importance, simple water purification methods.
- Outcomes: Identify major gases in air and outline simple steps in water purification.
- Practical: Simple demonstration of water filtration and sedimentation.
Week 12 — Revision & First Term Assessment
- Activities: Practical marking, theory revision, first-term exam.
SECOND TERM (Weeks 1–12) — Atomic Structure, Periodic Table & Chemical Bonding
Week 1 — Diagnostic Review
- Brief review of first-term topics and address misconceptions.
Week 2 — The Atom: Sub-atomic Particles
- Topics: Protons, neutrons, electrons; relative mass and charge; notation (e.g., ²³Na).
- Outcomes: Draw simple atomic models and state properties of sub-atomic particles.
- Activity: Build atom models with beads. (Scribd)
Week 3 — Electronic Configuration & Periodicity (Intro)
- Topics: Electron shells, simple electronic configuration for first 20 elements, periodic properties (group & period basics).
- Outcomes: Write electronic configurations (e.g., Na: 2,8,1) and place elements on a blank periodic table.
- Activity: Periodic table exercises.
Week 4 — Valency, Ions & Simple Formulae
- Topics: Concept of valency, formation of ions, writing formulae for ionic compounds (NaCl, MgO).
- Outcomes: Deduce formulae from valency and name compounds.
- Activity: Ionic bonding card activity (match cation–anion).
Week 5 — Types of Chemical Bonds (Intro)
- Topics: Ionic (electrovalent), covalent, and metallic bonding—basic characteristics and examples.
- Outcomes: Compare bonding types and give examples.
- Activity: Model ionic and covalent structures with kits or diagrams.
Week 6 — Properties of Metals & Non-metals
- Topics: Physical properties (malleability, conductivity), reactivity trends.
- Outcomes: Describe differences and relate to bonding.
- Activity: Simple conductivity test with safe low-voltage circuit (teacher-led).
Week 7 — Chemical Combination & Reaction Types
- Topics: Combination, decomposition, displacement, double displacement, combustion.
- Outcomes: Identify reaction types from equations and predict products.
- Practical: Demonstrate displacement and precipitation reactions (teacher demo).
Week 8 — Rates of Reaction (Intro)
- Topics: Factors affecting rates (concentration, temperature, surface area, catalysts).
- Outcomes: Qualitatively describe how factors alter rate.
- Practical: Demonstrate effect of temperature on reaction speed with safe reactions (teacher demo).
Week 9 — Stoichiometry Basics (Mole concept intro avoided; focus on simple ratios)
- Topics: Mass–mass relationships in simple reactions; using formulae to calculate relative masses (simple problems).
- Outcomes: Solve basic calculation problems (e.g., mass of product from known reactant mass with simple ratios).
- Activity: Guided problem-solving exercises.
Week 10 — Industrial Chemistry (Overview)
- Topics: Important chemical industries: fertilizers, soap/detergent basics, water treatment and their societal importance.
- Outcomes: Connect classroom chemistry to local industries and products.
- Activity: Case studies, local plant visit (if possible).
Week 11 — Environmental Chemistry (Intro)
- Topics: Air pollution, acid rain (basic idea), greenhouse gases; safe disposal of chemicals.
- Outcomes: List pollutants and propose simple mitigation strategies.
- Activity: Class project on local pollution sources.
Week 12 — Revision & Second Term Exam
- Practical exams and written tests.
THIRD TERM (Weeks 1–12) — Acids & Bases, Organic Intro & Consolidation
Week 1 — Diagnostic & Catch-up
- Identify weak areas before third term topics.
Week 2 — Acids, Bases and Salts (Extended)
- Topics: pH idea expanded, neutralisation reactions, common salts, uses.
- Outcomes: Balance neutralisation equations and explain salt formation.
- Practical: Prepare a salt by neutralisation (class demo) and test pH.
Week 3 — Preparation & Properties of Common Salts
- Topics: Preparation of sodium chloride, calcium carbonate reactions.
- Outcomes: Describe preparation methods and practical uses.
- Practical: Simple precipitation to make salts (teacher-supervised).
Week 4 — Carbon Compounds (Intro to Organic Chemistry)
- Topics: Carbon as basis of organic chemistry; simple hydrocarbons (alkanes, alkenes) and functional groups (alcohols).
- Outcomes: Name simple organic molecules (methane, ethane, ethene, ethanol) and relate properties to structure.
- Activity: Model carbon chains with molecular kits (or draw).
Week 5 — Polymers & Everyday Materials
- Topics: Natural and synthetic polymers, plastics, biodegradability basics.
- Outcomes: Identify common polymers and environmental concerns.
- Activity: Sorting exercise: classify objects as polymer-based or otherwise.
Week 6 — Water Chemistry & Treatment Revisited
- Topics: Hardness of water (causes), effects and softening methods (brief).
- Outcomes: Explain water hardness and methods to soften water.
- Practical: Simple soap test for hardness demonstration.
Week 7 — Revision of Practical Skills & Investigations
- Focus on write-up skills: aim, materials, method, results, discussion, conclusion.
Week 8–11 — Comprehensive Revision & Exam Practice
- Topic-by-topic revision, past-paper practice, practical skills consolidation.
Week 12 — Third Term Examination & Year-end Records
- Conduct practical and written exams; produce report cards and recommendations.
Recommended Article : SS1 Biology Scheme of Work for First, Second & Third Term — Complete Breakdown
Practical work — essential list (SS1 appropriate & safe)
Practicals are central to chemistry education. Keep experiments safe, low-cost and demonstrative:
- Identifying laboratory apparatus and correct usage.
- Measurement of mass and volume (use of balance and measuring cylinder).
- Filtration and evaporation to separate mixtures (salt from sand/water).
- Paper chromatography of ink.
- Litmus/pH tests of household substances.
- Demonstrations for diffusion and gas collection (teacher-led).
Always provide a practical workbook where students write aims, procedure, results and conclusion. Practical grades should contribute meaningfully to term marks.
Assessment blueprint & question types
A balanced assessment plan mixes objective tests, structured theory questions and practical evaluations.
Suggested weighting (adapt to school policy):
- Written exam (objective + theory): 60%
- Practical assessment & record book: 25%
- Continuous assessment (tests, assignments, classwork): 15%
Question formats to include:
- Multiple choice/short answer on definitions and apparatus.
- Structured questions: balanced equations, stoichiometry problems (simple), naming compounds.
- Practical write-ups and data interpretation.
- Essay/long-answer: describe processes (distillation, neutralisation) and industrial relevance.
Use marking rubrics for practicals and worked examples for common calculation questions.
Recommended textbooks & resources
Use NERDC-recommended textbooks and trusted lesson-note portals. Commonly used resources include:
- NERDC e-curriculum pages (official guidance).
- Lagos Unified Scheme & downloadable SS1 Chemistry PDFs on syllabus.ng (useful weekly breakdowns).
- Classnotes, ClassHall and Edudelight lesson pages for topic notes and practical suggestions.
- Local state education board schemes (FCT EMIS and similar) — useful for official weekly templates.
When choosing a textbook, ensure it maps clearly to the current NERDC syllabus and includes practical guidance.
Teaching tips & classroom strategies
- Clear objectives: Every lesson should begin with concise learning objectives (what learners will know/do).
- Active learning: Use demonstrations, group problem solving, peer teaching and simple experiments to maintain engagement.
- Low-cost alternatives: Where equipment is limited, use safe substitutes (kitchen chemistry, local materials) and teacher demonstrations.
- Frequent short tests: Short weekly quizzes improve retention more than last-minute cramming.
- Integrate local context: Link industrial topics and environmental chemistry to local examples (water treatment works, local factories).
Adapting the scheme to constraints
- If lab access is limited, schedule group practicals and use teacher demonstrations recorded on video for later analysis.
- Use outdoor observations (e.g., local water bodies, soil sampling) to teach real-world chemistry applications. (Scribd)
Monitoring, review & continuous improvement
After each term, review assessment data to identify weak areas; adjust pacing for the next term. Collect student feedback on practical accessibility and comprehension. Update the scheme yearly to reflect any NERDC adjustments or state policy changes.
Conclusion
This SS1 Chemistry scheme of work is a practical, curriculum-aligned template to guide teaching across the first, second and third terms. It balances conceptual understanding, practical skills, and real-world applications all essential for building a strong chemistry foundation in senior secondary school. Adopt the weekly plan, adapt to your school constraints, and ensure regular practicals and targeted assessments to raise student competence and curiosity in chemistry.
