Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Geography
Lesson Topic: Changes and challenges: population pressure, desertification, climate change, management
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the key characteristics of arid environments and the water‑balance equation.
  • Explain how population pressure, desertification, and climate change interact in dry regions.
  • Evaluate physical, biological and policy management strategies to mitigate desertification.
  • Analyse case examples of water‑use and land‑use practices on desert margins.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen for slides/diagrams
  • Printed handout with desertification driver table
  • World map or digital GIS layer of arid zones
  • Short video clip on desertification impacts
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Sticky notes for group brainstorming
 Introduction:
Begin with a striking image of a dust storm over a city fringe to hook students. Ask learners what they know about life in deserts and how growing populations might affect these fragile landscapes. Explain that today they will explore the links between population pressure, desertification, climate change and sustainable management, and that success will be measured by their ability to propose realistic mitigation actions.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5’) – Students list three challenges faced by people living in arid regions on a sticky note.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10’) – Define arid environments, water balance, and key characteristics using slides.
  3. Interactive activity (12’) – In small groups, analyse the driver table and create a cause‑effect diagram linking population pressure, climate change and desertification.
  4. Case study discussion (10’) – Examine Phoenix or Riyadh examples; discuss water extraction and land‑use impacts.
  5. Management strategies workshop (13’) – Groups match physical, biological and policy measures to specific drivers and share findings.
  6. Check for understanding (5’) – Quick quiz (Kahoot or exit ticket) on main concepts.
Conclusion:
Summarise how population growth, climate change and unsustainable practices accelerate desertification, and how integrated management can counteract these trends. Students complete an exit ticket describing one management action they would prioritize for a desert community. Assign homework to research a real‑world desert restoration project and prepare a brief summary.