Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 25/02/2026
Subject: Geography
Lesson Topic: Factors influencing an effective response to disease outbreaks: environmental, social, economic, political
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the four categories of factors (environmental, social, economic, political) that affect disease‑outbreak response.
  • Explain how each factor influences specific stages of disease monitoring and response.
  • Analyse a case study to identify which factors were most critical in shaping the response.
  • Design a brief response plan that integrates at least two different factor groups.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Printed handout with factor tables
  • Case‑study worksheet (e.g., Ebola or COVID‑19)
  • Sticky notes for group brainstorming
  • Internet access for digital surveillance examples
 Introduction:
Recent pandemics have shown how vital it is to consider more than just the pathogen itself. Building on students’ prior knowledge of disease transmission, we will explore why environmental, social, economic and political contexts shape the success of monitoring and response. By the end of the lesson, students will be able to map these factors onto each response phase and justify their choices.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5’) – quick quiz on passive vs. active surveillance.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10’) – overview of monitoring systems and the four response phases.
  3. Group activity (12’) – using the handout, match environmental, social, economic and political factors to each response phase.
  4. Case‑study discussion (15’) – analyse an Ebola or COVID‑19 outbreak to identify the dominant factors.
  5. Planning task (10’) – each group drafts a concise response plan that integrates at least two factor groups.
  6. Plenary (8’) – groups share plans, teacher summarises key insights, and students complete an exit‑ticket question.
Conclusion:
We recap how environmental, social, economic and political determinants interact with each stage of disease response. Students submit an exit ticket stating which factor they consider most influential for future outbreaks and why. For homework, they research a recent disease event and write a short paragraph describing how at least two of the four factor groups shaped the response.