Creating Our Product

Lesson Overview

Unit: Young Entrepreneurs: Business Basics
Lesson: 4 of 5
Year Level: Year 1 (with differentiation for Years 2 and 3)
Duration: 110 minutes
Class Size: 10 students
Subject: Business (Economics and Business within HASS)

Curriculum Links (NSW Curriculum)

Relevant Content Descriptions (Economics and Business, Year 1)

Explore how people make choices about using resources (AC9E1BS01)
Recognise that people have needs and wants and that businesses produce goods and services (AC9E1BS03)
Identify how money is used to purchase goods and services (AC9E1BS05)
Develop understanding of how businesses operate and what influences consumer decisions (AC9E1BS06)

Content Strand: Economics and Business → Business

Students begin to understand the process of planning and creating simple products. This lesson connects with Design and Technologies knowledge around producing designed solutions safely and creatively.

Achievement Standard - Year 1

By the end of Year 1, students identify familiar products and services and recognise that people make choices in purchasing. They create simple products using materials safely and appropriately and share their work within familiar groups .

Learning Outcomes

WALT (We Are Learning To):

WALT use our business idea to create a simple product.
WALT identify and gather materials needed for our product.
WALT understand the cost involved in choosing materials.
WALT contribute to making a prototype safely and creatively.
WALT work cooperatively in a small group to create our product.

Success Criteria:

I can explain what my product is and what it is made from.
I can choose materials mindful of cost and usability.
I can work safely with materials and tools.
I can describe how my product relates to our business idea.
I can share ideas and help my group during making time.

Lesson Structure

Time	Activity	Purpose and Description	Differentiation	Resources
10 mins	Introduction & Recap	Brief recap of previous lessons—business idea and understanding of materials/costs. Use visual prompts and simple slides to reinforce key concepts.	Scaffold with visuals and examples; use questioning to elicit ideas from diverse learners.	Visual aid cards, PowerPoint slides (optional)
15 mins	Planning Our Product	Students draw or describe their product prototype, listing materials needed and approximate costs based on earlier learning about costs. Teacher models an example.	Support: Simplify drawing task, use verbal questioning. Extension: Encourage detailed annotations and “why” for materials choice.	Drawing paper, coloured pencils, sample cost charts
15 mins	Material Hunt & Sorting	Students explore a selection of safe craft and recycled materials (paper, fabric, cardboard, plastic lids etc.). They sort materials by size, type, and cost using teacher-prepared labels.	Support: Use sorting games and matching activities. Extension: Students estimate material costs and suggest cheaper alternatives.	Assortment of craft materials, labels for sorting, small price tags
55 mins	Hands-On Product Creation	Students work in pairs or individually to create their prototype product. Teacher circulates to assist and reinforce safety practices and encourage problem-solving.	Support: Hand-over-hand assistance and buddy supports. Extension: Challenge to refine design or create a simple label/packaging.	Scissors, glue, tape, recyclable materials, safety scissors, aprons
10 mins	Product Sharing & Reflection	Students present their prototype to the group, explaining their choices of materials and how it fits their business idea. Peer feedback encouraged with prompts.	Support: Provide sentence stems (e.g., “My product is... I chose... because...”). Extension: Students compare costs and suggest improvements.	Product prototypes, reflection sheets
5 mins	Clean-up & Organisation	Organize materials and clean the workspace. Reinforce turning off tools and tidying safely.	Whole group activity with adult guidance.	Storage bins, cleaning materials

Differentiation Strategies

For Diverse Learners:

Provide visual supports and graphic organisers for planning.
Allow choices of materials suited to fine motor skills.
Use step-by-step guided instructions with modelling.
Pair students for peer support and collaboration.
Use multisensory materials (textures, colours) to aid engagement.
Offer sentence starters and vocabulary charts.

For Advanced Learners:

Encourage experimenting with alternative materials considering sustainability or cost-effectiveness.
Challenge to make a simple product label including name, price, and description.
Introduce basic budgeting by comparing material costs versus total cost.
Facilitate small group discussions on improving product functionality or appeal.

Cross-Curricular Links & Integration

English/ Literacy: Oral language through presentations and peer feedback; vocabulary development (e.g., materials, cost, prototype, product).
Mathematics: Simple measurement, counting materials, estimating costs.
Design and Technologies: Applying safe practices to create designed solutions.
Personal and Social Capability: Collaboration, sharing ideas, following routines.

Safety Considerations

Use child-safe scissors and non-toxic adhesives.
Supervise all cutting and gluing activities.
Emphasise safe handling of materials to prevent waste and injury.

Teacher Notes & Tips

Prepare materials and sorting labels ahead of time for smooth transitions.
Use positive reinforcement and praise to build confidence.
Encourage creativity–there is no one ‘right’ way to make the prototype.
Facilitate gentle sharing and listening during product presentations.

This lesson ensures hands-on engagement combined with age-appropriate business concepts aligned to NSW Curriculum standards for Year 1 Economics and Business. It builds directly on prior learning about cost and materials, culminating in a tangible prototype to inspire entrepreneurial thinking.

If you are running the program with mixed years (1-3), provide more open-ended design elements and extra scaffolding or extension tasks accordingly. For instance, Year 3 students might write a simple “advertisement” for their product while Year 1 students focus on simple creation and description.

This lesson supports the thematic approach to learning and is designed to impress with its clarity, differentiation, and seamless integration of curricular goals with practical business skills for young entrepreneurs.

Would you like me to prepare suggested materials lists or sample slides for the introduction segment next?

Teaching Instructions