Abstract Based on structure and function, transformation and energy, the unit teaching of structure, properties and applications of sweet molecules xylitol and glucose are designed and implemented. This unit teaching creates a situation based on the identification of xylitol and glucose, which stimulates students’ interest through the fact that xylitol has silver mirror reaction, and guides students to construct the relationship between the structure and properties of multi-functional organic compounds from the interaction between groups. The possibility of silver mirror reaction of erythritol and other saturated polyols is predicted and verified. The knowledge will promote students to dialectically understand sugar substitutes from the perspective that properties determine applications, and scientifically select sugar substitutes. Furthermore, the understanding of the decisive role of polar unsaturated bonds on the properties and uses of organic compounds from the perspective of steric hindrance is developed. This unit teaching develops students’ qualities such as macro micro combination, evidence reasoning, model cognition and scientific spirit, and promotes the integration of “teaching, learning and evaluation” through group cooperation.
LI Qian. Design and Implementation of Unit Teaching Based on Big Ideas: Exploring the Sweet Molecules Xylitol and Glucose[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Education, 2022, 43(23): 61-66.
