Lesson Plan

• Define a recession and differentiate it from a depression.
• Identify the key economic indicators that signal a recession.
• Explain how real GDP growth is calculated and used to confirm a recession.
• Analyse typical government fiscal and monetary responses to a recession.
• Apply the GDP growth formula to real‑world data to determine recessionary periods.

• Projector or interactive whiteboard
• Printed handout with indicator table
• Calculator or spreadsheet software
• Whiteboard markers
• AD‑AS diagram worksheet

Start with a quick poll: how many students have heard the term “recession” in recent news? Review briefly what GDP measures and why its trend matters. Explain that by the end of the lesson they will be able to define a recession, identify its signs, and describe typical government responses.

1. Do‑now (5’): Students write a one‑sentence definition of recession; share responses; teacher notes misconceptions.
2. Mini‑lecture (10’): Define recession, contrast with depression, present indicator table; quick check questions.
3. Data analysis activity (12’): In pairs, calculate quarterly GDP growth using the provided formula and decide if the economy is in recession.
4. Indicator discussion (8’): Examine unemployment, CPI, industrial output and discuss how they confirm a recession.
5. Government response brainstorm (8’): Teams list fiscal and monetary policies and sketch a left‑ward AD shift on the AD‑AS diagram.
6. Summary quiz (5’): Exit ticket – three‑point answer: definition, key indicator, one policy response.

Recap the definition, main indicators, and policy tools covered. Students complete an exit ticket stating one indicator that confirms a recession and one government action to combat it. For homework, read a recent news article about a recession and write a short reflection linking it to today’s concepts.