Economics · Grade 10

Active learning ideas

The Economics of Gender and Discrimination

Active learning helps students confront their own biases by making abstract economic concepts tangible. When they analyze real data or simulate hiring decisions, they see how discrimination shapes markets beyond textbook definitions. This hands-on approach builds empathy and critical thinking while reinforcing economic principles.

• Ontario Curriculum Expectations
• Ontario Curriculum, Canadian and World Studies (2018): CIA4U, Strand D. Economic Stability, Growth, and Global Interdependence, Analyse the economic challenges facing developing countries
• Ontario Curriculum, Canadian and World Studies (2018): CIA4U, Strand D. Economic Stability, Growth, and Global Interdependence, Describe the role of international organizations in the global economy
• Ontario Curriculum, Canadian and World Studies (2018): CIA4U, Strand D. Economic Stability, Growth, and Global Interdependence, Analyse the impact of globalization on the Canadian economy

• 30–50 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• Jigsaw
• 45 min · Small Groups

Jigsaw: Causes of Discrimination

Assign small groups to research one cause of wage gaps, such as human capital differences or employer bias, using Statistics Canada resources. Groups create summary posters, then experts rotate to teach mixed home groups. Home groups synthesize causes into a class chart on market impacts.

Analyze the economic factors contributing to gender wage gaps.

Facilitation Tip

For the Jigsaw Protocol, assign each group a distinct cause of discrimination and require them to prepare a one-minute summary using only their notes, not the textbook.

What to look for

Pose the question: 'If a company pays women less than men for the exact same job, is this primarily an issue of fairness or economic efficiency, or both? Explain your reasoning using economic terms.' Allow students to discuss in small groups before sharing with the class.

• Understand
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Relationship Skills
• Self-Management

Activity 02

• Case Study Analysis
• 35 min · Pairs

Pairs Case Study: Canadian Pay Equity

Provide pairs with a real case, like the 2021 CBC gender pay audit. Partners identify discrimination causes, calculate gap percentages, and propose policy fixes. Pairs share findings in a whole-class gallery walk.

Explain how discrimination can lead to inefficient market outcomes.

Facilitation Tip

During the Pairs Case Study, provide students with a blank pay equity timeline to fill in as they read, ensuring they sequence events before discussing implications.

What to look for

Provide students with a simplified supply and demand graph for a specific labor market (e.g., teachers). Ask them to draw and label how statistical discrimination might shift the labor supply curve or affect wages, and briefly explain the impact on market efficiency.

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Decision-Making
• Self-Management

Activity 03

• Case Study Analysis
• 50 min · Whole Class

Whole Class Debate: Policy Effectiveness

Divide class into pro and con teams on a policy like mandatory pay transparency. Teams prepare evidence from Ontario examples, debate in rounds, and vote on strongest arguments with rationale.

Evaluate policy interventions aimed at reducing economic discrimination.

Facilitation Tip

In the Whole Class Debate, limit each speaker to two minutes and require them to cite at least one statistic or example from the unit to ground their arguments.

What to look for

Ask students to write down one specific policy intervention aimed at reducing the gender wage gap and one potential economic challenge or unintended consequence of implementing that policy.

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Decision-Making
• Self-Management

Activity 04

• Case Study Analysis
• 30 min · Individual

Individual Graphing: Wage Trends

Students access StatsCan data to create line graphs of gender wages over time by sector. They annotate inefficiencies and share digitally for class feedback.

Analyze the economic factors contributing to gender wage gaps.

Facilitation Tip

For Individual Graphing, provide graph paper with pre-labeled axes and a rubric that deducts points for unlabeled lines or missing titles.

What to look for

Pose the question: 'If a company pays women less than men for the exact same job, is this primarily an issue of fairness or economic efficiency, or both? Explain your reasoning using economic terms.' Allow students to discuss in small groups before sharing with the class.

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Decision-Making
• Self-Management

A few notes on teaching this unit

Start by asking students to anonymously submit assumptions about gender and wages on sticky notes, then cluster these to reveal common misconceptions. Use role-playing to help students experience bias firsthand, which research shows increases retention of economic concepts. Avoid lecturing on definitions—instead, let students discover disparities through data they collect and analyze themselves.

Students will explain how discrimination distorts labor markets using evidence and economic terms. They will evaluate policies by weighing trade-offs and propose solutions grounded in data. Evidence of learning includes clear arguments, accurate graphs, and respectful debate contributions.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During Jigsaw Protocol, watch for students attributing the gender wage gap solely to individual choices.

  Ask each jigsaw group to include one statistic that controls for factors like education or experience, then have groups compare their findings to highlight systemic factors.

• During Pairs Case Study: Canadian Pay Equity, watch for students assuming pay equity laws eliminate discrimination immediately.

  Provide students with a timeline of Ontario's Pay Equity Act and ask them to identify gaps between policy implementation and observed wage changes.

• During Whole Class Debate: Policy Effectiveness, watch for students claiming government policies always work as intended.

  Require each debate team to cite a specific policy's outcome data from the case study or their own research to assess real-world effectiveness.

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Methods used in this brief

• Jigsaw
• Case Study Analysis