Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Geography
Lesson Topic: Similarities and differences in responses to the pandemic
Learning Objective/s:
  • Identify key similarities and differences in national and international pandemic responses.
  • Analyse surveillance and containment strategies across SARS, H1N1, and COVID‑19.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of public health, health‑system, and socio‑economic interventions using the provided framework.
  • Compare the role of digital technologies and vaccine development speed in shaping response outcomes.
  • Communicate findings in a concise written summary.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen for slides.
  • Printed handouts of the comparative response table.
  • WHO and national health agency reports (digital PDFs).
  • Worksheets for group analysis.
  • Markers and flip chart.
  • Laptops or tablets for accessing digital dashboards.
 Introduction:
In the past two decades, three major pandemics have reshaped how the world monitors and reacts to disease. Students should already understand basic concepts of disease surveillance and public health measures. By the end of the lesson they will be able to describe common response elements, contrast key differences, and apply an evaluation framework to a new case.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5’) – Students examine a headline about COVID‑19 and note what information they would need to monitor the outbreak.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10’) – Review of surveillance types and response categories using slides.
  3. Guided analysis (15’) – In pairs, students compare the provided table for SARS, H1N1, and COVID‑19, filling a worksheet that highlights similarities and differences.
  4. Whole‑class discussion (10’) – Groups share findings; teacher highlights the role of digital tools and vaccine speed.
  5. Evaluation framework activity (10’) – Students rank each pandemic against the five criteria and justify their scores.
  6. Exit ticket (5’) – Write one key insight about how pandemic responses have evolved.
Conclusion:
We have identified core response principles and examined how surveillance, vaccination, and economic support have diverged across the three pandemics. Your exit ticket captured the main insight you will take forward. For homework, write a brief report applying the evaluation framework to a recent disease outbreak of your choice.