Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Economics
Lesson Topic: Causes/types of unemployment: frictional unemployment
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe what frictional unemployment is and list its key characteristics.
  • Identify the main causes of frictional unemployment.
  • Distinguish frictional unemployment from structural and cyclical unemployment.
  • Explain how job‑matching services and mobility assistance can reduce frictional unemployment.
  • Apply a simple formula to estimate the frictional component of unemployment.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector or interactive whiteboard
  • Slide deck summarising key points
  • Handout with a job‑search flowchart diagram
  • Short worksheet with case scenarios
  • Access to an online job‑matching website demo
  • Markers and flip chart
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick poll: how many students have recently looked for a part‑time job or know someone who has? Explain that brief periods between jobs are normal and form the basis of frictional unemployment. State that by the end of the lesson they will be able to describe its features, compare it with other unemployment types, and suggest policies that shorten its duration.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5'): Students write a 30‑second definition of frictional unemployment and share.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10'): Present definition, key features, and causes using slides.
  3. Comparative activity (10'): Pairs fill a Venn diagram contrasting frictional, structural, and cyclical unemployment.
  4. Diagram construction (10'): Groups create the job‑search flowchart on a flip chart.
  5. Policy brainstorm (10'): Whole‑class discussion of job‑matching services and mobility assistance; record ideas.
  6. Quick check (5'): Exit ticket – one example of frictional unemployment and one policy to reduce it.
Conclusion:
Summarise that frictional unemployment reflects the time needed for job matching and persists even at full employment. Highlight the key policies that can shorten this gap. Collect the exit tickets and assign a homework task to research a real‑world job‑matching platform and report its impact on frictional unemployment.