Lesson Plan

Resources → Subject Notes → Economics → Notes
Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Economics
Lesson Topic: Policies to alleviate poverty and redistribute income: more generous state benefits
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the different types of state benefits and how they can be made more generous.
  • Explain the economic rationale for generous benefits using the multiplier effect.
  • Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of more generous state benefits in various contexts.
  • Apply criteria to assess when such policies are most effective.
  • Analyse the impact of benefit design on poverty reduction and labour‑market participation.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen for slides/diagrams
  • Printed handouts of the benefit‑type table
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Calculator for multiplier demonstration
  • Worksheet with evaluation questions
  • Internet access for optional poverty‑data examples
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick poll: “What policies have you heard of that help reduce poverty?” Link responses to prior knowledge of economic development and state that today’s focus is on more generous state benefits. State the success criteria – students will be able to describe benefit types, explain their economic impact, and evaluate their effectiveness.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5’) – Students list ways governments can reduce poverty; share answers.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10’) – Overview of state‑benefit types and ways to increase generosity (slides).
  3. Group activity (12’) – Analyse a specific benefit, decide how to make it more generous, complete worksheet.
  4. Economic rationale demo (8’) – Calculate the multiplier effect of a cash transfer using simple numbers.
  5. Advantages/Disadvantages debate (10’) – Groups present pros and cons; class discussion.
  6. Evaluation criteria summary (5’) – Teacher outlines when generous benefits are most effective.
  7. Exit ticket (5’) – Each student writes one condition for success and one potential drawback.
Conclusion:
Recap the key points: generous benefits raise disposable income, can boost demand, but carry fiscal and labour‑market risks. Collect exit tickets to gauge understanding, and assign homework to research a real‑world cash‑transfer program and write a short paragraph on its impact.