Small Business Project

Overview

This lesson series supports Year 7 students with learning challenges in developing a small business, integrating Mathematics and English concepts aligned with the Australian Curriculum. Students will apply mathematical skills in financial planning, measurement, and data representation while developing literacy skills in persuasive writing, oral presentations, and procedural texts.

Curriculum Links

Mathematics (ACARA Year 7)

• ACMNA174: Investigate and calculate percentages including discounts, profit margins, and cost prices.
• ACMNA176: Solve problems involving profit and loss.
• ACMNA178: Construct sample spaces for simple probability experiments.

English (ACARA Year 7)

• ACELY1714: Participate in discussions, developing and justifying ideas.
• ACELY1711: Plan, draft and edit persuasive and informative texts.
• ACELY1721: Deliver presentations using multimodal elements.

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Lesson 1: Business Brainstorming

Duration: 60 minutes

Learning Objectives

• Generate and evaluate small business ideas.
• Use descriptive and persuasive language to present ideas.
• Understand key money-related maths concepts (profit, cost, revenue).

Materials Needed

• A3 brainstorming sheets
• Markers
• Example small businesses (e.g., handmade gifts, simple services)

Lesson Breakdown

Introduction (15 min)

1. Warm-Up Discussion: "What is a business?" Brainstorm familiar businesses students interact with daily.
2. Concept of Profit: Introduce the idea of making a profit (selling something for a higher price than it cost to make).
3. Example Businesses: Provide simple business models (e.g., selling handmade bookmarks, pet-sitting, or homemade treats).

Main Activity (30 min)

1. Brainstorming Activity:

   • Student lists hobbies, strengths, and interests.
   • Guides create a business idea based on these interests.
   • Discuss costs, selling price, and potential customers.

2. Persuasive Pitch (Writing & Speaking):

   • Students write 3–5 sentences persuading why their business idea is great.
   • Deliver a short oral pitch to a teacher or peer.

Wrap-Up (15 min)

• Peer feedback on clarity and engagement.
• Reflection: What did you learn about business?

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Lesson 2: Market Research & Budgeting

Duration: 60 minutes

Learning Objectives

• Conduct basic market research.
• Understand cost breakdowns and budgeting.
• Use percentages and profit calculations.

Materials Needed

• Fake money/coins
• Budget planning template
• Example business cost breakdown

Lesson Breakdown

Introduction (15 min)

1. Recap Last Lesson: What business idea did you choose? Why?
2. Why Do Businesses Need Budgets? Discuss how businesses must manage costs and price products correctly.

Main Activity (30 min)

1. Market Research Discussion

   • Identify competitors and customer needs.
   • Perform a class survey on product preferences.

2. Budget Planning

   • Fill out a simple budget template:

     • Materials Cost (e.g., paper for bookmarks = $2)
     • Labour Cost (time spent making product, e.g., 30 min = $5)
     • Selling Price and Profit Calculation.

   • Apply percentages: If a product costs $5 and we sell it for $8, what’s the profit percentage?

Wrap-Up (15 min)

• Review key budgeting concepts.
• Discuss one thing they’d change about their plan after researching.

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Lesson 3: Branding & Marketing

Duration: 60 minutes

Learning Objectives

• Understand branding elements in small businesses.
• Create persuasive marketing materials.
• Apply basic probability in marketing strategies.

Materials Needed

• Colouring materials
• Logo design sheets
• Fake customer survey results

Lesson Breakdown

Introduction (15 min)

1. Branding Discussion: Show familiar logos and brand names. Ask: "What makes a business stand out?"
2. Persuasive Language in Ads: List examples of persuasive phrases used in advertising.

Main Activity (30 min)

1. Business Name & Logo Creation
   • Students design a simple logo and slogan.
2. Advertisement Writing
   • Write a short, engaging product description.
   • Design a flyer or social media post mock-up.
3. Marketing & Probability
   • Simulate business promotions (e.g., "1 in 3 customers get a discount"). Calculate probabilities.

Wrap-Up (15 min)

• Peer feedback: What makes a good brand?
• Exit ticket: One persuasive word they’ll use in marketing.

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Lesson 4: Selling & Customer Interaction

Duration: 60 minutes

Learning Objectives

• Roleplay customer interactions.
• Use proper money-handling techniques.
• Perform quick mental calculations and problem-solving.

Materials Needed

• Role-play money
• Price tags
• Sample dialogues/script templates

Lesson Breakdown

Introduction (10 min)

1. Customer Service Discussion:
   • Why is being polite and clear when selling something important?
   • Practice phrases: “Would you like to buy one more?” “Thank you for buying from me!”

Main Activity (40 min)

1. Roleplay – Buying & Selling

   • Students take turns being the seller and customer.
   • Practice giving change (using play money).
   • Include a challenge (e.g., “What if the customer only has a $10 note for a $6 item?”).

2. Handling Customer Complaints

   • Roleplay different situations (e.g., “This product is broken!”).
   • Discuss polite ways to handle issues.

Wrap-Up (10 min)

• Reflect: How can good customer service lead to more sales?
• Quick quiz: Calculate correct change for given scenarios.

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Lesson 5: Presentation & Reflection

Duration: 60 minutes

Learning Objectives

• Present their business idea confidently.
• Reflect on financial outcomes.
• Discuss challenges and improvements.

Materials Needed

• Presentation sheets
• Speech cue cards

Lesson Breakdown

Introduction (10 min)

• Review lessons. Discuss: “What was the hardest part of creating a business?”

Main Activity (40 min)

1. Final Business Presentation
   • Students present:
     • Business name & concept
     • Budget & pricing
     • Marketing strategies
     • Customer service approach
2. Classroom Discussion
   • What went well? What would they do differently?

Wrap-Up (10 min)

• Exit ticket: One skill learned in this project that can apply to real life.

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Assessment & Differentiation

• Provide scaffolds (sentence starters, visual supports).
• Adjust difficulty of financial calculations as needed.
• Assess based on business pitch clarity, financial understanding, and engagement.

This integrated project allows students to apply maths and literacy in a practical setting, fostering real-world skills like problem-solving, budgeting, and communication!