Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Economics
Lesson Topic: net exports (exports minus imports)
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the concept of net exports and calculate them using the formula NX = X − M.
  • Explain how net exports act as an injection or leakage in the circular flow of income.
  • Analyse the impact of changes in net exports on aggregate demand and employment.
  • Evaluate how fiscal and monetary policy can influence a country’s net export balance.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Printed circular‑flow diagram handouts
  • Worksheet with net‑export calculation example
  • Calculators (or laptop/tablet)
  • Exit‑ticket slips
 Introduction:

Begin with a quick poll: “Which products do you think most of our country sells abroad?” Connect responses to the earlier study of the circular flow. Remind students that the flow includes injections and leakages, and that today they will focus on the export‑import balance. State that by the end of the lesson they will be able to calculate net exports and explain its macro‑economic significance.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5 min): Quick quiz on the four sectors of the circular flow; answers discussed.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10 min): Define net exports, present the formula NX = X − M, and show a diagram highlighting exports as injections and imports as leakages.
  3. Guided calculation (10 min): Work through the provided example (£120 bn exports, £95 bn imports) and have students compute net exports on their worksheets.
  4. Concept‑mapping activity (8 min): In pairs, label injections and leakages on the printed circular‑flow diagram, emphasizing the export and import arrows.
  5. Policy discussion (12 min): Whole‑class debate on how expansionary fiscal and monetary policies affect net exports, using real‑world illustrations.
  6. Check for understanding (5 min): Exit ticket – one sentence defining net exports and its effect on aggregate demand.
Conclusion:

Summarise how net exports fit into the circular flow and why they matter for overall economic activity. Collect exit tickets to gauge understanding, and assign homework: research the latest UK net‑export figure and write a brief paragraph predicting its impact on GDP.