Lesson Plan

Resources → Subject Notes → Geography → Notes
Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Geography
Lesson Topic: 1.1 Population dynamics: Describe and suggest reasons for population increase and decrease.
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the key factors that cause population increase and decrease.
  • Explain how social, economic and environmental influences affect birth and death rates.
  • Analyse real‑world examples (e.g., Nigeria, Japan) using the Demographic Transition Model.
  • Evaluate migration trends and their impact on population change.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen
  • PowerPoint/Google Slides presentation
  • Printed worksheet with DTM diagram and data tables
  • World map (large format) for locating case studies
  • Sticky notes for quick brainstorming
  • Exit‑ticket slips
 Introduction:

Begin with a striking image of a bustling city contrasted with a shrinking rural village to hook interest. Ask students what they think drives such opposite trends and link to prior knowledge of birth, death, and migration. State that by the end of the lesson they will be able to identify and explain the main reasons for population increase and decrease and apply the Demographic Transition Model.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5'): Students list three reasons they think populations grow or shrink on sticky notes; share briefly.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10'): Present definitions of population dynamics, natural increase/decrease formulas, and the four stages of the Demographic Transition Model.
  3. Guided analysis (12'): Examine the table of factors influencing birth and death rates; students annotate a copy with examples.
  4. Case‑study activity (10'): In pairs, analyse Nigeria (increase) and Japan (decrease) using provided data; complete a short Venn diagram.
  5. Check for understanding (5'): Whole‑class quiz using Kahoot or show of hands on key concepts.
  6. Application task (8'): Students create a brief paragraph linking a chosen country’s situation to a specific DTM stage.
Conclusion:

Recap the four main drivers of population change and how they fit within the Demographic Transition Model. Students complete an exit ticket stating one new thing they learned and one question they still have. Assign homework: research a third country’s population trend and prepare a one‑minute oral summary for the next lesson.