Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan
Grade: A-Level Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Economics
Lesson Topic: policy implications
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the main types of unemployment and their causes.
  • Explain how demand‑side and supply‑side policies aim to reduce unemployment.
  • Analyse the short‑run and long‑run effects of specific policy tools on the labour market.
  • Evaluate the trade‑offs and sequencing of a mixed policy approach.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen for slides/diagrams
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Handout summarising policy tools and evaluation criteria
  • Calculator for unemployment‑rate calculations
  • Printed AD‑AS diagram for each student
  • Sticky notes for group brainstorming
Introduction:
Begin with a quick poll: “If you were out of work today, which factor would you say is most responsible for your unemployment?” Connect responses to the four types of unemployment covered previously. Explain that today’s lesson will explore how governments use demand‑side and supply‑side policies to tackle these issues, and students will be assessed on their ability to explain and evaluate these policies.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5’) – Calculate the unemployment rate from a brief data set and identify likely unemployment types.
  2. Mini‑lecture (15’) – Review unemployment definitions, policy objectives, and display an AD‑AS diagram.
  3. Demand‑side policies activity (10’) – In pairs, analyse an expansionary fiscal policy case and complete an impact chart.
  4. Supply‑side policies carousel (10’) – Groups rotate stations on training, education reform, labour‑market deregulation, and mobility incentives; record target unemployment type and side‑effects.
  5. Whole‑class synthesis (10’) – Discuss sequencing of a balanced policy mix; highlight timing and distributional considerations.
  6. Check for understanding (5’) – Exit ticket: write one advantage and one limitation for a demand‑side tool and one for a supply‑side tool.
Conclusion:
Summarise that effective unemployment reduction requires both immediate demand stimulation and longer‑term structural reforms. Collect exit tickets as a retrieval check and assign a short essay comparing two policy tools for a given scenario as homework.