Business Idea Creation

Lesson 3: Creating a Business Idea

Unit: Young Entrepreneurs: Business Basics
Year Level: Year 1 (Differentiated for Years 1-3 and 4-6)
Duration: 110 minutes
Class Size: 10 students
Learning Area: Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) – Economics and Business, Technologies (Design and Technologies)

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Curriculum Alignment - NSW Curriculum

Stage 1 (Year 1) Outcomes and Content Descriptions:

Economics and Business (HASS) – Stage 1

• Content:
  • Identify how people make choices about what to buy or sell (economics concept)
  • Understand why businesses are started and what they do
  • Explore how people work together to create products and services
• Outcomes:
  • PHT1EB01: identifies different types of workplaces and jobs
  • PHT1EB02: recognises how people meet work responsibilities and needs
  • PHT1EB03: explains why people start businesses and what they do
  • PHT1EB04: identifies resources used to produce goods and services

Design and Technologies – Stage 1

• Content:
  • Explore how products are designed to meet needs
  • Explore materials, tools, and steps used to create products
• Outcomes:
  • ACTDEP001: investigates needs or opportunities for designing
  • ACTDEP002: plans and works collaboratively to make products
  • ACTDEP003: uses materials and tools safely to create designed solutions

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WALT (We Are Learning To)

• WALT brainstorm and develop simple business ideas.
• WALT work in groups to decide on a product and business name.
• WALT identify materials needed to create our product.

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Success Criteria

• I can share my own business ideas.
• I can listen and work with others to choose a business product.
• I can name my business and explain what it sells.
• I can list the materials needed to make my product.

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Lesson Outline

Time	Activity	Description	Resources	Differentiation
0-15 min	Introduction & Recap	Brief recap of previous lessons on what a business is. Teacher explains today’s focus: creating a business idea. Begin with a storytelling hook: "Imagine you can make your own business!"	Storytelling prompt, simple PowerPoint slides	Use visuals and verbal explanations for EAL and younger students.
15-30 min	Brainstorming Session	Whole class brainstorm: What kinds of things could we sell? What do we like or need? Use a whiteboard or chart paper to collect ideas.	Whiteboard/chart paper, markers	Provide picture cards of common products for vocabulary support.
30-45 min	Group Work – Choose Your Business Product	Organise students into groups of 2-3. Each group picks a product idea from brainstorm and discusses why it’s a good idea.	Product idea cards or group worksheets	Prompt questions for groups needing support; encourage advanced groups to think about who would buy their product.
45-60 min	Create Business Name	Groups create a simple business name related to their product. Teacher guides phonics and spelling where needed.	Name idea template, alphabet letters, name badges	Support writing with spelling mats and scaffolded templates. Advanced learners try creating logos or catchy slogans.
60-90 min	Materials List & Business Plan	Groups list materials needed to make product and outline simple steps to create it.	Worksheet: "What do we need?" template, sample materials	Provide pictorial lists for support; extension: groups detail how many of each material they need or how much it might cost (introducing money concept).
90-105 min	Group Presentations	Groups share their business name, product idea, and materials list with the class. Encourage use of full sentences.	Presentation cue cards	Encourage shy students with small group sharing; challenge advanced students to answer questions from peers.
105-110 min	Review and Reflection	Teacher-led reflection: What did we learn? What was fun? What is hard about creating a business idea?	Reflection journal or drawing	Allow drawing or verbal reflection for those struggling with writing.

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Detailed Activity Descriptions

Introduction & Recap (15 min)

• Use simple language and images to recap what a business is and why people start businesses.
• Use story or video (if tech available) of a young child starting a lemonade stand or small business.
• Emphasise the link: business = selling products or services that people want or need.

Brainstorming (15 min)

• Students call out or draw ideas for products they would like to ‘sell’.
• Use prompts: toys, food, clothes, books, games.
• Record all ideas visibly.

Group Work (15 min)

• Students pick their favourite idea in groups.
• Teacher circulates, asking guiding questions: "Why do people want this? Who might buy it?"

Business Naming (15 min)

• Support students in creating a catchy name. Encourage simple compound words or phrases (e.g., “Happy Toys”, “Tasty Treats”).
• Provide alphabet mats or letter cards for students to build their name.
• Extension: Design a simple logo or choose colours.

Materials List and Simple Business Plan (30 min)

• Use a worksheet where students draw or write:
  • Product name
  • Materials needed (e.g., paper, glue, fabric)
  • Steps to make product
• Scaffolded by showing sample lists and visuals of materials.
• Extension: Estimate quantity or cost using pretend money.

Presentations (15 min)

• Each group shares their idea briefly to develop communicating skills.
• Encourage positive feedback and questions from peers.

Review and Reflection (5 min)

• Use discussion or simple reflection journal/drawing.
• Reflect on teamwork, creativity, and sharing ideas.

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Differentiation Strategies

• For Diverse Learners

  • Visual aids (picture cards, word banks).
  • One-on-one or small group support for brainstorming and writing steps.
  • Allow drawing instead of writing if needed.
  • Structured sentence starters ("Our business is called…", "We will sell…").
  • Repeat and clarify instructions.

• For Advanced Learners

  • Encourage creating a simple business plan including who the customers are.
  • Estimate costs or quantities of materials.
  • Develop marketing ideas (logo, slogans).
  • Discuss why customers might prefer their product over others (competition).

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Resources Needed

• Whiteboard or chart paper and markers.
• Picture cards of products and materials.
• Alphabet and name card materials.
• "What do we need?" worksheet with pictures and lines.
• Reflection journal sheets or paper for drawing.
• Sample business name ideas and visual prompts.

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Notes for Teacher

• Activities designed for hands-on, collaborative work suitable for small groups.
• PowerPoint slides may be used for introduction if whiteboard unavailable.
• Encourage inclusive participation and scaffold language for emerging writers and EAL learners.
• Reinforce entrepreneurial language such as "business", "product", "materials", "customers".
• Use positive reinforcement to encourage creativity and teamwork.

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This plan ensures clear alignment with Stage 1 Economics and Business and Design and Technologies outcomes from the NSW syllabus, promotes student voice and collaboration, scaffolded writing and creativity, and caters for differentiated learning levels within a small group setting.