Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Economics
Lesson Topic: Differences in natural resources
Learning Objective/s:
  • Explain how a country’s natural‑resource endowment influences its level of economic development.
  • Identify the main advantages and disadvantages of resource abundance versus scarcity.
  • Analyse real‑world case studies to evaluate the “resource curse” and diversification strategies.
  • Apply the GDP identity to assess how resource revenues affect national income.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and laptop for slide presentation
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Printed handouts of the comparative table (resource‑rich vs. resource‑poor)
  • Case‑study worksheets (Norway, Nigeria, South Korea, Chile)
  • Exit‑ticket slips
 Introduction:

Begin with a brief news clip on recent oil‑price volatility to hook interest. Ask students what they recall about the components of GDP and how export earnings fit in. Explain that today they will determine the success criteria: describing resource impacts, comparing countries, and using the GDP formula to evaluate outcomes.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5') – Quick quiz on key terms: natural resources, abundance, scarcity, resource curse.
  2. Mini‑lecture with slides (10') – Present the three channels (revenue, industrial structure, external vulnerability) and the comparative table.
  3. Group activity (15') – In pairs, analyse the provided table for a resource‑rich and a resource‑poor country; fill a worksheet identifying advantages, disadvantages, and potential challenges.
  4. Case‑study analysis (15') – Small groups examine one of the four case studies, discuss how each country manages its resource endowment, and record findings.
  5. Whole‑class discussion (10') – Share insights, address the resource‑curse question, and brainstorm policies to mitigate it.
  6. Exit ticket (5') – Students write one concrete action a resource‑poor country could take to foster growth.
Conclusion:

Summarise that natural resources can be a catalyst or a constraint depending on governance and diversification. Collect exit tickets to gauge understanding and assign homework: write a 150‑word paragraph proposing a technology‑driven strategy for a resource‑poor nation to boost development.