Looking for a hands-on way to teach macroeconomics? This interactive lesson plan uses the Goosechase app to help high school students explore GDP, inflation, and unemployment through teamwork, critical thinking, and real-world examples.

Interactive Macroeconomics Lesson Plan Overview

Want to make macroeconomics click for your students? This interactive lesson brings key concepts like GDP, unemployment, and inflation to life with real-world examples, collaborative group work, and a high-energy Goosechase scavenger hunt. Instead of just memorizing terms, students actively connect classroom learning to the economy around them—snapping photos, acting out scenarios, and analyzing data in a fun, team-based challenge. It's the perfect way to reinforce core content and keep your class engaged from start to finish.

Grade: 11 - 12

Subject: Economics

Learning Objectives:

• By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
• Define and explain the key components of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), unemployment, and inflation.
• Identify real-world examples of macroeconomic indicators.
• Analyze how these indicators are connected and impact individuals and society.
• Demonstrate their understanding through a collaborative Goosechase scavenger hunt.
• Perfect for grades 11–12, this high school economics lesson encourages students to connect theory with real-world data while working in teams.

Materials for Your Macroeconomics Classroom Activity :

• Mobile devices (tablets, phones, or laptops) with the Goosechase app installed
• Whiteboard and markers or slides
• Handouts or a digital summary of key terms and formulas
• Internet-enabled devices (phones, tablets, or laptops) for Goosechase

Preparation:

• Create an Experience on the Goosechase app with a series of Missions focused on macroeconomics. This macroeconomics classroom activity helps students apply key concepts like GDP and inflation in creative ways.
• Develop Missions that require students to demonstrate their understanding of what they have learned. Example Missions:
  • GDP IRL: Take a photo of something that represents Consumption, Investment, Government Spending, or Net Exports. Label it
  • Unemployment Type Check: Create a short video explaining the type of unemployment shown in a scenario (e.g., someone laid off during a recession).
  • Inflation Station: Find an everyday item and describe how inflation might affect its price.
  • Economic Skit: Act out a mini-scene showing the effects of high unemployment on a family or community.
  • Graph Me Maybe: Draw or digitally create a simple graph showing GDP growth or inflation over time—real or hypothetical.
  • Find the Buzzwords: Locate a news headline (or create one) that mentions GDP, unemployment, or inflation. Explain what it’s about.

Find Example Missions in the Goosechase Template below

• Adapt the difficulty of the Missions based on the proficiency levels of your students to keep the activity inclusive and engaging for everyone.
• Prepare hints or resources that might help students solve the Missions if needed.
• Divide students into teams and assign each team a mobile device with the app, or have students complete the scavenger hunt individually.
• Run your Experience during one class period or longer.
• App Set-Up 
  • Dedicate time to ensuring all students have the Goosechase app downloaded and joined to the Experience to avoid any tech issues.

Step-by-Step Lesson Plan for Macroeconomics

• Warm-Up Discussion Starter
  • Ask students:
    • “What do you think the government looks at when deciding how well the economy is doing?:”
    • “Have you heard the terms GDP, inflation, or unemployment before? What do they mean to you?”
  • Use responses to segue into the lesson topic.
• Direct Instruction
  • Use a short slide presentation or whiteboard explanation to introduce the following:
    • GDP: What it is, how it’s calculated (C + I + G + NX), nominal vs. real GDP
    • Unemployment: Types (frictional, structural, cyclical), how it's measured
    • Inflation: CPI, demand-pull vs. cost-push, consequences of inflation
  • Give real-life examples or current data for each concept to make it tangible.
• Group Work
  • Split students into small groups and assign each group a scenario. Have them discuss and answer:
    • What macroeconomic indicator is most relevant in this scenario?
    • What might be causing changes in that indicator?
    • How would this affect citizens or businesses?
  • Examples:
    • A country sees a sudden increase in consumer spending.
    • A major company lays off thousands of workers.
    • Gas prices rise rapidly over several months.
  • Groups share quick summaries of their discussions with the class.
• Goosechase Scavenger Hunt
  • Read through Missions with students, emphasizing the importance of evidence and analysis in their responses.
  • Monitor progress and provide assistance as necessary.
  • If working in teams, encourage them to strategize and collaborate to solve the Missions.
  • Sit back and enjoy watching your students collaborate and demonstrate their learning.
  • The economics scavenger hunt allows students to demonstrate their understanding of macroeconomic indicators through collaborative challenges.
• Debrief and Reflection
  • Review the activity, discussing which missions were the most challenging or fun.
  • Discuss how teams collaborated and solved problems together.
  • What new connections did you make between the concepts?
  • How do these macroeconomic indicators impact our lives?
  • Optionally, award prizes to the team(s) with the highest score.

Assessments & Extensions

Assessment

• Participation and teamwork during activities.
• Engagement with Goosechase missions.
• Assessment of any assignments such as their News Analysis or Refelction Journal

Optional Post-Experience Activities:

• Exit Ticket
  • Define one of the three indicators in your own words and explain why it matters
• Economic News Analysis
  • Students find a current news article that relates to either GDP, inflation, or unemployment then summarize the article and explain which indicator is involved, what’s happening, and what it might mean for the country’s economy.
• Macroeconomics Reflection Journal
  • Students write a 1–2 page reflection on how GDP, unemployment, and inflation are connected, and how they affect you personally or your community. Include at least one real-life example.

Ready Made Experience

Macroeconomics Review

Students will demonstrate key concepts from macroeconomics by identifying items with certain characteristics and by defining key terms.

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Macroeconomics in Action

Apply your macro knowledge to real-world-inspired missions. Show off your GDP genius and inflation intuition in this economic adventure!

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More Where That Came From:

This interactive macroeconomics lesson plan helps teachers bring abstract economic ideas to life through collaboration and creativity. This is just one of many ready-to-run Goosechase lesson plans we’ve created. Explore them all and keep your students learning, laughing, and engaged year-round.

FAQs

Q: What grade level is this macroeconomics lesson for? A: It’s designed for grades 11–12, but can be adapted for introductory college courses.

Q: How long does the Goosechase activity take? A: The scavenger hunt can be completed in one class period or extended for homework.

Q: Do students need phones to participate? A: Students can play using smartphones, tablets, or Chromebooks via the Goosechase app.

What is Goosechase EDU?

Goosechase is an online platform that helps educators create and run interactive learning experiences in their classrooms and beyond. Sign up and try creating an Experience, or contact us to learn more about our school and district-wide solutions!