Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Economics
Lesson Topic: Definition of production possibility curves (PPC)
Learning Objective/s:
  • Define the Production Possibility Curve and its components.
  • Explain how the PPC illustrates trade‑offs, efficiency, and opportunity cost.
  • Identify efficient, inefficient, and unattainable points on a PPC diagram.
  • Interpret the bowed‑out shape of the PPC in terms of increasing opportunity cost.
  • Apply the PPC concept to analyse a simple two‑good scenario.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector or interactive whiteboard
  • Printed PPC diagram handouts
  • Whiteboard markers
  • Student worksheets with practice questions
  • Calculator (optional)
  • Sticky notes for exit ticket
Introduction:
Begin with a quick poll: “If you could only spend your allowance on either video games or concert tickets, what would you choose?” This taps into everyday trade‑off decisions and links to scarcity. Explain that today students will learn how economists represent such choices with a Production Possibility Curve. Success will be measured by their ability to define the PPC, label key points, and explain opportunity cost.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5'): Students write their poll answers on sticky notes and discuss the trade‑off.
  2. Teacher input (10'): Present the definition, key characteristics, and a labelled PPC diagram via slides.
  3. Guided practice (12'): Together label efficient, inefficient, and unattainable points on a sample PPC on the board.
  4. Opportunity‑cost activity (10'): Students calculate opportunity cost using the formula OCₓ = ΔY/ΔX for a given change.
  5. Independent worksheet (8'): Learners complete a worksheet applying the PPC to a new two‑good scenario.
  6. Check for understanding (5'): Quick quiz (e.g., Kahoot) on the shape and interpretation of the PPC.
Conclusion:
Summarise that the PPC visualises scarcity, choice, efficiency and opportunity cost, and that its bowed‑out shape reflects increasing costs. For the exit ticket, ask each student to write one real‑world example of a trade‑off that could be plotted on a PPC. Assign homework to draft a simple PPC for a chosen pair of goods and label the key points.