This teaching module was developed by the project "Recent Developments in Science and Technology with Applications for Secondary Science Teaching." Premises about students and their learning and generalizations about content are described. Chapters included are: (1) "Introduction"; (2) "Monomers into Polymers"; (3) "Natural Polymers"; (4) "Thermosets and Thermoplastics"; (5) "Synthesis of Polymers"; (6) "Polymer Structure"; (7) "Common Polymers--Their Use and Properties"; (8) "Polymers--Their Impact on Modern Life"; and (9) "References" (including teacher resources, student resources, multimedia materials, and useful materials to order). Many activities, demonstrations, experiments, and transparencies are provided in each chapter. (YP)