Lesson Plan

Resources → Subject Notes → Geography → Notes
Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Geography
Lesson Topic: Water consumption linked to economic development
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the three‑stage pattern of water consumption across low‑, middle‑, and high‑income economies.
  • Explain how industrial structure, technology, standards of living, climate and policy influence water‑use intensity.
  • Analyse quantitative indicators (per‑capita consumption and water‑use intensity) to compare different economies.
  • Evaluate implications for water management and propose appropriate strategies.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen
  • PowerPoint presentation with diagrams and data tables
  • Printed worksheets with case‑study questions
  • Graph paper or digital spreadsheet for calculations
  • Markers and whiteboard
  • Internet access for supplementary data (optional)
 Introduction:
Begin with a striking image of a drought‑stricken river contrasted with a bustling industrial city to hook students. Ask learners to recall how water use differs between households and factories, linking to prior lessons on resource consumption. Explain that by the end of the lesson they will be able to identify the three stages of water consumption as economies develop and justify why water‑use intensity changes.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5'): Students answer a quick question on their household water use versus a factory; responses recorded on board.
  2. Teacher input (10'): Present the three‑stage model with slides and the suggested diagram, highlighting key indicators.
  3. Guided analysis (15'): Small groups examine the data table and case‑study handouts (India, China, UK) to match each country to a development stage and calculate water‑use intensity.
  4. Whole‑class discussion (10'): Groups share findings; teacher clarifies why intensity falls in Stage 3.
  5. Application activity (10'): Students draft a simple water‑management recommendation for a chosen country, considering technology and policy.
  6. Check for understanding (5'): Exit ticket – one sentence describing the main reason water consumption plateaus in high‑income economies.
Conclusion:
Summarise that water consumption spikes during industrialisation and tends to level off as economies shift to services, while water‑use intensity generally declines due to efficiency gains. Ask students to write one key takeaway on a sticky note as an exit ticket. For homework, assign a brief research task to find a recent water‑saving policy in a high‑income country and explain its expected impact.