Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Geography
Lesson Topic: Urban growth: processes, causes, consequences, hierarchy, primate and world cities
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the main processes that drive urban growth (natural increase, migration, spatial/vertical expansion, economic restructuring).
  • Analyse push and pull factors influencing urban expansion and their socioeconomic impacts.
  • Evaluate the economic, social and environmental consequences of rapid urbanisation.
  • Compare the levels of the urban hierarchy, including primate and world cities, and explain their key characteristics.
  • Assess urban management strategies for achieving sustainable growth.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen for slides/diagrams
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Printed handouts of the urban‑hierarchy pyramid and case‑study excerpts
  • Worksheets with guided analysis questions
  • Laptop with internet access for an interactive map activity
  • Sticky notes for group brainstorming
 Introduction:
Begin with a striking image of a sprawling megacity and ask students what factors they think drive its growth. Recall previous lessons on population change and economic development, linking them to urban expansion. Outline today’s success criteria: students will be able to explain growth processes, analyse causes and consequences, and compare different city types.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑Now (5’) – Quick mind‑map on “What makes cities grow?” using sticky notes.
  2. Teacher input (10’) – Present processes and causes of urban growth with slides.
  3. Guided practice (12’) – Small groups analyse a case study, fill a table of push/pull factors and consequences.
  4. Urban hierarchy activity (10’) – Students place city examples on a hierarchy pyramid handout.
  5. Primate & world cities discussion (8’) – Compare characteristics and implications, supported by a short video clip.
  6. Check for understanding (5’) – Exit ticket: one sentence describing an effective urban management strategy.
Conclusion:
Summarise how growth processes, causes, and the city hierarchy interrelate and why management is crucial. Students complete an exit ticket summarising a key management approach. Assign homework to research a local city’s growth pattern and prepare a short report.