This classroom resource was developed in partnership with global business advisory firm FTI Consulting. Their support enabled this specialist resource to be distributed to schools for free.
Overview
This free classroom resource explores what economic cycles are and how they impact our lives.
Aimed at KS4 and Post-16, your students will:
- Understand the basic concept of economic cycles and key terms such as GDP, recovery, growth and recession
- Have explored a range of key indicators that demonstrate a growing or shrinking economy
- Have critically examined the impact the different stages of economic cycles can have on individuals in a range of circumstances.
Acknowledgements:
More Lessons resources
Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS4 (ages 14-16)
Mock Trials Classroom Pack
The Mock Trial Competitions are our longest-running active citizenship experiences. Since 1991, we have provided unparalleled exposure to the...
Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS5 (ages 16-18)
The Government and the Economy
By the end of the lesson students will: Understand key economic terms including taxation, welfare benefits, public spending and...
Lessons, Politics and Democracy, KS2 (ages 7-11)
Democracy (Part 3): Why Do We Have Laws?
This lesson forms the final part of a three-part unit on democracy. Pupils learn about democracy and the rule of law. They discover the different roles of parliament, government and…
More Economics, Money and Managing Resources resources
Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS4 (ages 14-16)
COVID and the Economy
During this session, students will critically examine some of the key economic considerations of the pandemic. They will explore...
Sustainability and the Environment, KS2 (ages 7-11)
How Should We Farm?
In this lesson pupils will learn about different farming methods. They will consider the advantages and disadvantages of these methods and learn how to identify labels that indicate how food…
Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS4 (ages 14-16)
Who’s Really Paying for COVID?
Young people are, and will continue to be, some of the most impacted by COVID. However their voices have...
More KS4 (ages 14-16) resources
Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS3 (ages 11-14)
Cyberbullying (SmartLaw Subscription)
According to research by the charity Ditch the Label, 7 in 10 young people have experienced cyberbullying, 20% of whom experience it daily. Support your students to know their legal…
Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS3 (ages 11-14)
Youth Justice (SmartLaw Subscription)
During this lesson, students will explore the process a young person goes through when they commit, or are suspected of committing a crime. They will also examine different types of…
Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS4 (ages 14-16)
The Big Legal Lesson 2026 (ages 11-18+)
Join the UK's biggest legal education campaign during February 2025.
More KS5 (ages 16-18) resources
Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS3 (ages 11-14)
Your Legal Rights and Responsibilities (SmartLaw Subscription)
This lesson introduces students to the concepts of their legal rights and responsibilities and explores how the law impacts their daily lives. Students explore the different ages that various laws…
Lessons, Digital Citizenship, KS3 (ages 11-14)
What is Media Bias?
During this lesson students explore what bias within the media is and how it differs from fake news. They...
Classroom Toolkits, Politics and Democracy, KS1 (ages 5-7)
Controversial issues: guidance for schools
Children are alert to information and images they see in the media. These may graphically influence their view of the world, and not always positively. Graphic images on TV and…