Entrepreneurial Process

Year Levels

Years 5 and 6

Duration

60 minutes

Unit

Entrepreneurship in Action (Lesson 6 of 12)

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Understand the steps involved in the entrepreneurial process: idea generation, market research, and business planning.
• Apply brainstorming techniques to generate business ideas collaboratively.
• Outline basic steps needed to turn a business idea into reality.
• Develop teamwork and communication skills through group work.

Australian Curriculum Links

Economics and Business (HASS)

• ACHASSK091: Explain the reasons businesses exist and the types of goods and services provided (Year 5)
• ACHASSK094: Understand the role of people within businesses and how they contribute to enterprise success (Year 6)

General Capabilities

• Critical and Creative Thinking: Generating ideas, problem identification, and planning.
• Personal and Social Capability: Collaboration and communication in teams.
• Literacy: Locating and organising information for decision making.

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Lesson Outline

Preparation

• Arrange the classroom for group work. Each group consists of about 5 students (total 110 students will form ~22 groups).
• Provide each group with chart paper or whiteboards and markers.
• Prepare a simple template sheet guiding the entrepreneurial process steps (Idea Generation, Market Research, Business Plan Steps).

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1. Introduction (10 minutes)

• Teacher Explanation: Briefly introduce the entrepreneurial process:
  • Idea Generation: Coming up with a new product or service idea.
  • Market Research: Finding out if people want or need the idea.
  • Business Planning: Figuring out the steps to make the idea happen, including resources and costs.
• Use age-appropriate language and examples, e.g., starting a school canteen, creating a craft business, or organising an event.
• Link to students’ experiences with everyday needs and wants.

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2. Group Brainstorming (15 minutes)

• Activity: In groups, students brainstorm their own business ideas.
• Use techniques to spark creativity such as:
  • Mind Mapping
  • “What if” questions ("What if we created a new type of lunchbox?").
• Encourage diversity of ideas and record all ideas without judgement.
• Teacher circulates, prompting groups with market questions: “Who would buy this? Why?”

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3. Market Research Discussion (10 minutes)

• Teacher Facilitated Discussion: How do entrepreneurs find out if people want their product or service? Introduce simple concepts:
  • Asking friends and family.
  • Simple surveys or questions.
  • Observing what people buy or like.
• Each group selects one idea to research briefly within group or recall from personal experience – who might want it and why.

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4. Business Planning Outline (15 minutes)

• Activity: With their chosen idea, groups outline the basic steps to bring their business to life:
  • What resources are needed? (money, materials, helpers)
  • Fun step: Assign roles within the group (e.g. marketing, finance, production).
  • What must happen first? What are the next steps?
• Use the template sheet to guide and record their steps.
• Teacher supports groups in structuring their ideas logically.

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5. Sharing and Reflection (10 minutes)

• Groups present their business idea and entrepreneurial process outline to the class (2 minutes per group).
• Encourage peer feedback focusing on creativity and feasibility.
• Reflect as a class: Why is it important to plan before starting a business? What did they learn about teamwork?

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Resources

• Chart paper / whiteboard and markers for each group.
• Entrepreneurial process template sheets.
• Example scenarios or case studies of simple entrepreneurial activities meaningful to children.

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Assessment

• Formative: Teacher observation of group discussions and contributions.
• Group presentations evaluated on:
  • Clarity of the business idea.
  • Understanding of the entrepreneurial steps.
  • Ability to work collaboratively and communicate ideas.

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Extension Ideas

• Homework: Ask students to interview a family member about a business they know or have started.
• Use digital tools such as simple presentation software or online mind-mapping apps if technology is available.

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Notes on Curriculum Alignment

This lesson aligns strongly with the Economics and Business content for Years 5 and 6, specifically focussing on the nature and purpose of businesses and the processes involved in entrepreneurship. The emphasis on collaborative idea generation and market research supports critical thinking and interpersonal skills, consistent with the Australian Curriculum (v9) expectations for this age group.

The lesson embeds General Capabilities including critical and creative thinking by challenging students to generate and evaluate ideas, and personal and social capability through group collaboration. The inclusion of a reflective sharing session encourages literacy and communication skill development.

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If you require further detailed alignment to specific curriculum codes or elaborations, please let me know! This lesson plan provides a comprehensive, engaging, and age-appropriate approach, especially for large classes, with clear steps and activities mapped directly to the Australian Curriculum (v9) standards.