Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Economics
Lesson Topic: division of labour and specialisation
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the concept of division of labour and its productivity benefits.
  • Explain how division of labour enables specialisation at firm and country levels.
  • Calculate opportunity costs and identify comparative advantage using simple data.
  • Evaluate the limitations of division of labour and specialisation in real‑world contexts.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Printed worksheet with pin‑factory diagram and PPF table
  • Calculators
  • Sticky notes for exit tickets
 Introduction:
Begin with the question “Why do factories use assembly lines?” to hook interest. Connect to students’ prior knowledge of everyday products and the four factors of production. State that by the end of the lesson they will be able to describe division of labour, calculate comparative advantage, and assess its limitations.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5'): Write three examples of tasks that could be split in a production process.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10'): Define division of labour and show Adam Smith’s pin‑factory example with a diagram.
  3. Guided practice (15'): In pairs, calculate the opportunity cost of cloth for Countries A and B using the provided table and discuss comparative advantage.
  4. Group discussion (10'): Identify two benefits and two limitations of division of labour and specialisation; relate to modern industries.
  5. Quick quiz (5'): Exit‑ticket – one benefit and one limitation written on a sticky note.
Conclusion:
Recap the key ideas: how breaking tasks raises productivity and how comparative advantage drives specialisation. Collect exit tickets as a retrieval check, and assign homework to research a contemporary industry that relies on assembly‑line production and write a short paragraph on its advantages and drawbacks.