Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Law
Lesson Topic: Discharge of a contract
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the five recognised methods by which a contract can be discharged.
  • Analyse fact patterns to identify the appropriate discharge method and cite the leading case authority.
  • Apply the legal tests for frustration and repudiatory breach to determine the parties’ rights.
  • Evaluate the consequences of each discharge method for the parties, including available remedies.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Handout summarising the five discharge methods and key cases
  • Worksheet with scenario cards and checklist
  • Printed flow‑chart diagram for class construction
  • Exit‑ticket slips
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick poll: “What happens when a contract can no longer be performed?” Connect to students’ prior knowledge of contract formation and set success criteria – by the end of the lesson they will be able to identify and justify the correct method of discharge for any scenario.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5') – short quiz on contract basics to activate prior knowledge.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10') – concise overview of the five discharge methods with key case excerpts (Hooper, Taylor v. Caldwell, Hong Kong Fir, etc.).
  3. Group activity (15') – students receive scenario cards, use the checklist to determine the applicable discharge method, and note the supporting case law.
  4. Whole‑class debrief (10') – each group presents its conclusion; teacher highlights common errors and clarifies the legal tests.
  5. Flow‑chart construction (10') – collaboratively build a decision‑path diagram on the board.
  6. Exit ticket (5') – write the essential test for frustration and for a repudiatory breach.
Conclusion:
Recap the five discharge methods and the key tests discussed. Collect exit tickets to gauge understanding and assign a homework task: analyse a provided case study and identify which discharge method applies, justifying the answer with the relevant authority.