Lesson Plan

• Describe the assumptions underlying the Production Possibility Curve model.
• Explain the difference between constant and increasing opportunity costs and how each shapes the PPC.
• Construct and interpret straight‑line and bowed‑out PPC diagrams.
• Calculate the marginal rate of transformation for both constant and increasing cost scenarios.
• Analyse the implications of PPC shape for resource allocation and policy decisions.

• Projector or interactive whiteboard
• Slide deck with PPC diagrams
• Handout containing numerical examples and blank PPC grids
• Graph paper and coloured pens
• Calculator (optional)
• Whiteboard and markers

Begin with a quick poll: “If you could only produce either wheat or cloth, which would you choose and why?” This activates prior knowledge of scarcity and trade‑offs. Review the basic PPC concept and outline today’s success criteria: students will differentiate constant versus increasing opportunity costs and correctly sketch the corresponding curves.

1. Do‑now (5’) – Students answer the poll question on sticky notes and discuss trade‑offs.
2. Mini‑lecture (10’) – Review PPC assumptions and introduce constant opportunity cost; illustrate with a straight‑line diagram.
3. Guided practice (10’) – Work through the constant‑cost numerical example, calculate MRT, and plot the point on the handout.
4. Mini‑lecture (10’) – Explain increasing opportunity cost, show a bowed‑out diagram, and discuss resource heterogeneity.
5. Group activity (15’) – Using the increasing‑cost example, students compute varying MRTs, plot points, and draw the concave PPC.
6. Check for understanding (5’) – Whole‑class Q&A using the comparative summary table; exit ticket: one sentence describing why real economies face increasing costs.

Summarise that the PPC’s shape reveals how opportunity costs change with production levels, linking back to the success criteria. For the exit ticket, students write a brief explanation of the policy relevance of a bowed‑out PPC. Assign homework: complete a worksheet that asks learners to design a PPC for a two‑good economy with given data.