Introduction to Entrepreneurship

Year: 8 | Duration: 45 minutes | Class size: 20 students

Subject: Business (Economics and Business 7-10 Victorian Curriculum)

Learning Objectives

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

Define entrepreneurship and describe what it means to be an entrepreneur.
Identify key characteristics of successful entrepreneurs.
Recognise the impact entrepreneurs have on society.
Engage in group discussion reflecting economic and business knowledge using appropriate terminology aligned with Victorian Curriculum standards.

Victorian Curriculum Alignment

Content Descriptor:

AC9HE7K03: Characteristics of entrepreneurs and how these influence the success of a business
AC9HE8S05: Create descriptions and explanations, using economic and business knowledge, concepts and terms, referencing information and data from sources
AC9HE7S04: Develop a response to an economic and business issue, identifying potential costs and benefits

General Capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social Capability (collaboration and communication)

Lesson Sequence and Timing

Time	Activity	Description	Victorian Curriculum Links
0-5 min	Introduction & Hook	Teacher welcomes students and asks stimulating question: “What do you think an entrepreneur is and why are they important?” Record brief class responses on whiteboard or chart paper.	AC9HE7K03_E1: Identifying examples of entrepreneurs and skills
5-15 min	Exploring Entrepreneurship	Teacher defines entrepreneurship and discusses its importance. Share examples of diverse entrepreneurs, including First Nations Australian entrepreneurs (e.g., Dean Foley, Tahnee Edwards). Students watch a short multimedia clip (or teacher-led storytelling) highlighting well-known entrepreneurs’ impacts on society.	AC9HE7K03_E2: Describing characteristics of First Nations Australian entrepreneurs
15-30 min	Group Discussion Activity	Divide students into small groups (4-5 students). Each group selects or is assigned a famous entrepreneur (local or global) such as Steve Jobs, Gina Rinehart, or a community enterprise leader. Groups discuss: - What characteristics make this person a successful entrepreneur? - What impact have they had on society or the economy? Groups list traits and societal contributions on poster/whiteboard paper.	AC9HE7K03_E4: Explaining characteristics that contribute to success; AC9HE8S05_E1: Using economic and business concepts in discussion
30-40 min	Group Presentations & Peer Feedback	Each group presents their findings (~2 minutes each). Class discusses common entrepreneurial traits identified and reflects on key characteristics. Teacher provides affirming feedback and corrects misconceptions. Teacher highlights characteristics like initiative, innovation, risk-taking, ethical behaviour, and community impact.	AC9HE7S04_E1: Developing a response to an economic and business issue; AC9HE8S05_E2: Explaining ideas with examples from data or sources
40-45 min	Lesson Wrap-up & Reflection	Students individually write a quick exit ticket: “What does it take to be a successful entrepreneur?” Share a few responses. Teacher summarises the lesson and previews next lesson focus (e.g., spotting business opportunities).	AC9HE7K03, AC9HE8S05

Resources Required

Multimedia clip or short video of entrepreneurs’ stories (teacher-prepared or from prior sources)
Whiteboard / chart paper and markers for group work
Exit ticket slips or notebooks for reflections
Print-outs or digital devices to research famous entrepreneurs (optional)

Teaching Tips

Encourage diverse examples of entrepreneurship beyond technology or famous millionaires—include First Nations entrepreneurs and local community businesses.
Facilitate respectful listening and peer support during group discussions and presentations.
Support EAL/D students with vocabulary lists of key terms (e.g., entrepreneur, innovation, risk-taking).
Link entrepreneurial traits to real-life skills students may already use (e.g., problem-solving, teamwork).

Assessment

Formative assessment through observation of group discussion participation and presentation quality.
Exit ticket written reflections assessing understanding of entrepreneurial characteristics and societal impact.

Extensions & Differentiation

For advanced students, add mini research on entrepreneurial challenges and ethical considerations.
For students needing support, provide sentence starters for group discussion and presentations.
Integrate a digital collaborative board (e.g., Padlet) for groups to post ideas for visual sharing.

This lesson carefully scaffolds student understanding of entrepreneurship, encourages collaborative learning, and aligns closely with the Victorian Curriculum's Economics and Business standards for Year 8, building a solid foundation for the further lessons in the "Entrepreneurship in Action" unit .