Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan
Grade: Year 12 Date: 25/02/2026
Subject: Geography
Lesson Topic: Transmission, threat to populations and distribution: how malaria is transmitted and factors influencing its spread
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the main modes of disease transmission, with emphasis on vector‑borne malaria.
  • Explain the life cycle of Plasmodium spp. and how the female Anopheles mosquito transmits the parasite.
  • Analyse the climatic, environmental and socio‑economic factors that influence malaria spread.
  • Evaluate the geographic distribution of malaria and its demographic and economic impacts.
  • Apply the basic reproductive number (R₀) concept to assess transmission potential in different regions.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and laptop
  • PowerPoint slides summarising transmission modes
  • Handout of the Plasmodium life‑cycle diagram
  • World map / regional malaria distribution maps
  • Worksheet with case‑study questions and R₀ calculations
  • Markers and flip‑chart paper
Introduction:

Begin with a striking statistic about malaria deaths to capture interest, then ask students to recall other ways diseases spread that they have studied. Briefly outline today’s success criteria: students will be able to trace malaria transmission, identify key spread factors, and use R₀ to judge outbreak risk.

Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑Now (5'): Quick quiz on disease transmission pathways from previous lessons.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10'): Overview of transmission modes, focusing on vector‑borne pathways.
  3. Interactive activity (12'): Students label a blank Plasmodium life‑cycle diagram in pairs.
  4. Case‑study discussion (10'): Analyse factors influencing malaria spread using the provided map.
  5. R₀ calculation workshop (10'): Small groups compute R₀ for two contrasting regions and interpret results.
  6. Formative check (5'): Exit ticket – one sentence summarising the most important factor driving malaria transmission.
  7. Wrap‑up (3'): Teacher highlights key take‑aways and links to upcoming control‑strategy lesson.
Conclusion:

Recap the malaria transmission cycle and the environmental and socio‑economic drivers discussed. Students hand in their exit tickets, and the teacher reviews common misconceptions. Assign a short homework: research one current malaria‑control initiative and prepare a one‑minute summary for the next class.