Adding Complexity to the PPF: Part 2
Unit 1 · Lesson 1.10 · Last updated May 20, 2026
A 45-minute collaborative lesson where student groups create and analyze PPF stories and models, linking the PPF to key Unit 1 concepts.
Overview
In this lesson students continue to build on their understanding of the production possibilities frontier from Lesson 1.8 and Lesson 1.9. Students work in groups to link the PPF to other key concepts from Unit 1 and to practice interpreting and generating PPF models.
Learning Objectives
- Apply the concepts of scarcity, choice, opportunity cost, and the interdependence principle to a production possibilities frontier.
- Explain the causes of shifts in the production possibilities frontier.
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Materials
- Instruction Slides (display during class period)
- Student Handout pp. 4–5 (1 copy per student)
- Poster paper (1 large piece per group of 3 students)
- Markers (2 different colors per group of 3 students)
Lesson Sequence
Slides 2–3
- Display Slide 2. Direct students to discuss their responses to the prompts on the slide with a peer, then debrief as a class. Click to reveal an asymmetrical shift on the PPF when discussing the second prompt. Additional educator tips and suggested answers are in the notes section throughout Instruction Slides.
- Proceed to Slide 3 and introduce the learning objectives for the lesson.
Slides 4–9
- Display Slide 4. Organize students into groups of 3 (2 if needed) and distribute 1 copy of Student Handout to each student.
- Advance to Slide 5. Explain the difference between consumer goods and capital goods.
- Display Slide 6. Read the instructions for "Making Connections" on Student Handout aloud. Instruct students to work with their group to record responses to the 3 prompts. Allow 8 minutes to work.
- Proceed through Slides 7–9 to debrief "Making Connections." Suggested responses are in the notes section of Instruction Slides.
Slides 10–15
- Display Slide 10 and distribute 1 piece of poster paper to each group.
- Advance to Slide 11. Tell groups to select a shape, color, and number as a group. Note: If students ask what their selections mean, explain that they will soon write a short economic story and that details (producer, notable factor of production, and PPF outcome) will be assigned based on their choices.
- Proceed to Slide 12 to reveal the meaning of each shape, color, and number. Tell students to record the information that aligns with their selections in the "Creating and Analyzing a PPF Story" section of Student Handout.
- Display Slide 13 and explain the group task. Students should use the remaining space on Student Handout to draft their story and model before transferring to poster paper. Each group's story and model should fill about two-thirds of the poster space. Students should show the change in their PPF in a different color. Give students 10 minutes to work.
- Advance to Slide 14. Tell students each group will review another group's story and model to provide feedback and economic analysis, completing 2 steps in the empty one-third of the poster they receive.
- Instruct groups to swap poster paper with another group. Allow 4 minutes to complete the 2 tasks on Slide 14.
- Tell groups to return reviewed posters to their authors.
- Display Slide 15. Tell students to review the feedback provided and make edits as necessary. If something is unclear, students should briefly confer with the group that wrote on their poster. Allow up to 4 minutes. Circulate and address confusions as they arise.
Slides 16–17
- Advance through Slides 16–17. Tell students to follow the instructions on Slide 17. Collect student posters while they complete the summarizer.
- Collect Student Handout and review summarizer responses for misconceptions or gaps in understanding. Address these at the start of the next lesson.
Aligned Standards
Voluntary National Content Standards in Economics
What Educators Are Saying
Most students really enjoyed it. They got to work with a friend and be creative. They were also starting to feel more confident in their knowledge.
Great discussion among students, lesson uncovered some concepts that are still not clear to students.
I liked the questions on the student handout and the poster component. Students enjoyed the superhero aspect and incorporated that into their scenarios.