Starting Entrepreneurship

Lesson Overview

In this 110-minute introductory session for Year 1 students, the class will explore the concept of entrepreneurship through engaging, hands-on activities designed to spark creativity and understanding of business basics. The lesson is the first in a five-lesson unit titled "Young Entrepreneurs: Business Basics." Students will play a warm-up game called 'Product Charades' to think creatively about products and then explore the qualities of successful entrepreneurs through discussion and activities tailored to varying abilities.

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Curriculum Alignment

This lesson aligns with the NSW Curriculum for Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) for Year 1, particularly focusing on the Economics and Business strand appropriate to early years learning:

• Content Descriptions:

  • Explore how individuals and families use money, and understand that people make choices to meet their needs and wants (HASS Year 1 Economics and Business).
  • Understand the role of products and services in meeting needs and wants.
  • Identify the qualities and skills that contribute to being an entrepreneur in simple terms.

• Skills Development:

  • Pose questions, collect, sort and record information from observations and provided sources.
  • Interpret information and share perspectives, reflecting on entrepreneurial ideas.
  • Participate actively in group discussions and cooperative learning.

• Achievement Standard:
  By the end of Year 1, students will demonstrate awareness of how people make choices to satisfy needs and wants and describe the roles of products and services in their own and their family’s lives .

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Learning Objectives (WALT)

• WALT: Understand what entrepreneurship means and identify the qualities of successful entrepreneurs.
• WALT: Explore and describe products and services creatively.
• WALT: Work cooperatively to share and present ideas effectively.

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Success Criteria

• Students can explain in simple terms what it means to be an entrepreneur.
• Students demonstrate creativity by acting out products in the charades game.
• Students identify at least three qualities that entrepreneurs have (e.g., creativity, hard work, problem-solving).
• Students participate actively in discussions and activities.

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Lesson Breakdown

Time	Activity	Description	Differentiation	Resources
0-10 min	Introduction & Setting the Scene	Teacher introduces the topic “What is Entrepreneurship?” in simple language. Use pictures or slides depicting entrepreneurs and their products to set visual context.	Use visual aids and simple language for clarity. Provide key vocabulary words: entrepreneur, product, creativity.	PowerPoint slides with images, flashcards
10-30 min	Warm-up Game: Product Charades	Students take turns choosing a product card and acting it out without speaking while peers guess. Products relate to everyday items familiar to them. Encourage creativity and teamwork.	Provide picture-based product cards for EAL and students requiring support. Offer simpler or more complex product options for mixed abilities.	Product cards with images, open space for acting
30-45 min	Group Discussion: What is an Entrepreneur?	After charades, discuss what an entrepreneur is, highlighting qualities like creativity, problem-solving, and hard work. Use relatable examples (e.g., someone who makes and sells lemonade).	Use storytelling for lower-level learners. Advanced learners can brainstorm business ideas they know or make up.	Chart paper, markers, picture story prompts
45-60 min	Activity: Qualities of Entrepreneurs Sort	Students sort picture cards/words depicting qualities (e.g., creative, hard-working, friendly) into "Entrepreneur Qualities" and "Other Qualities." Discuss their choices as a class.	For younger or struggling learners, group work with support. Challenge advanced students to give examples of entrepreneurs with those qualities.	Quality cards, sorting mats, glue, poster papers
60-80 min	Hands-On Creation: Design a Product	In pairs or small groups, students design a simple product using paper, pencils, and craft materials. They give it a name and describe what problem it solves or what need it meets.	Provide templates and scaffolding prompts to support those needing extra help. Advanced learners create a simple sales pitch.	Paper, coloured pencils, craft materials, example templates
80-95 min	Sharing and Feedback	Groups share their product ideas and explain to the class why people would want to buy/use them and which entrepreneurial qualities they used. Positive peer feedback encouraged.	Use sentence starters for sharing ("Our product is... It helps by..."). Allow advanced learners to answer questions from peers.	Sharing circle space, sentence starter cards
95-110 min	Reflection & Wrap-Up	Reflect on what was learned about entrepreneurship. Teacher reiterates main points and writes a simple "Entrepreneurship Pledge" on a board for students to say together.	Encourage students to share one new thing they learned. Advanced learners can write or draw their favourite part of the lesson.	Whiteboard/flipchart

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Differentiation Strategies

• Visual supports: Use pictures and realia to illustrate concepts.
• Language development: Introduce and repeat key vocabulary with simple explanations.
• Group work: Pair students strategically to maximise peer support.
• Hands-on activities: Accessible materials and guided supports ensure all students can participate meaningfully.
• Extension: Advanced learners create a short sales pitch for their designed product and discuss how their product could help others.

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Extension Activities for Advanced Learners

• Research an Australian entrepreneur and share interesting facts with the class next session.
• Draw and label a simple business plan poster describing their product, target customers, and how the product helps people.
• Use digital drawing tools if available to design their product digitally.

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Additional Notes for Teacher

• Use enthusiastic praise to boost confidence during the charades game and group discussions.
• Consider incorporating a simple PowerPoint slideshow as an engaging visual introduction.
• Maintain flexibility for attention spans by pacing the activities and incorporating movement through charades.
• Be prepared with extra support or simplified language for children with additional learning needs.

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This lesson plan carefully integrates NSW Curriculum standards for Year 1 HASS, specifically in Economics and Business, focusing on foundational understandings of entrepreneurship and business concepts suitable for young learners. The approach combines play, creativity, verbal expression, and social collaboration to engage diverse learners effectively.