Target Market Focus

Overview

This 45-minute lesson is designed for Year 6 students in Australia, focusing on identifying target markets as part of the unit "Business Basics: Shark Tank!". It aligns with the Australian Curriculum Version 9 for Humanities and Social Sciences, specifically Economics and Business. Students will learn why identifying a target market is vital for business success and explore customer demographics through collaborative activities.

---

Curriculum Links

Australian Curriculum Version 9 — Humanities and Social Sciences (Economics and Business) Foundation to Year 6

• ACHCS060: Recognise economic, business, and financial concepts related to needs and wants, goods and services, and consumer choices.
• ACHCS061: Understand how consumers and businesses respond to economic decisions and opportunities in Australia's market system.
• ACHCS062: Identify and describe different types of businesses and explain their roles in meeting needs and wants.

Although the explicit curriculum coding for Year 6 Economics and Business is not indexed here, the elaborations and elements from Year 7 align well and are developmentally appropriate for Year 6 students.

---

Learning Intention

• Explain the importance of identifying a target market in business.
• Understand how businesses tailor products and marketing to specific customer groups.

---

Success Criteria

Students will be able to:

• Define what a target market is.
• Identify key customer demographics (age, gender, interests, etc.) relevant to a business idea.
• Work collaboratively to define the target market for their own business idea.

---

Resources

• Whiteboard and markers
• Chart paper/large sheets for group work
• Markers or coloured pencils
• Pre-prepared business idea cards (optional)
• Handouts with guiding questions on target markets (age, lifestyle, income, preferences)
• Visual aids showing examples of different businesses and their target markets

---

Lesson Breakdown

1. Introduction & Explicit Teaching (10 minutes)

• Begin by asking students: “Who do you think buys clothes from a sports store?” and “Why do you think businesses sell certain products to certain people?”
• Define Target Market: The specific group of customers that a business wants to reach with its products or services.
• Use real-life examples relevant to students: e.g., a toy store’s target market is children and parents, whereas a skate shop targets teenagers and young adults.
• Discuss briefly how businesses design products and adverts to attract these groups to increase sales.

(Teacher tip: Use visuals and stories to bring ideas alive.)

---

2. Group Task: Defining Target Markets (25 minutes)

• Divide the class into 5 groups (5 students each).

• Each group thinks about the business idea they have been developing in previous lessons (or provide simple scenarios if needed).

• Using chart paper, students answer these guided questions:

  • Who is most likely to buy your product or service?
  • What is the age range of your target market?
  • What do they like or care about? (interests, hobbies)
  • Where do they live?
  • How much money might they spend?

• Groups create a simple “Customer Profile” or Target Market Avatar with these details.

• Each group prepares to share their findings in 2 minutes.

---

3. Group Presentations & Peer Feedback (7 minutes)

• Each group presents their target market profile briefly.
• Peers provide positive feedback or ask questions to help clarify the target market.

---

4. Wrap-Up & Reflection (3 minutes)

• Recap the key point: Businesses identify target markets so they can create products people want and tell them about it in the right way.
• Ask the students: “How does knowing your target market help your business succeed?”
• Encourage students to think about how they might adjust their ideas based on what they learned.

---

Assessment & Feedback

• Formative Assessment: Observe group discussions and question responses to gauge understanding of target markets.
• Group task outputs: Check customer profiles for inclusion of specific demographics and clear thinking about customer needs.
• Use peer feedback to deepen understanding and scaffold next learning tasks.

---

Differentiation Strategies

• Provide sentence starters or template for groups who need support when defining target markets.
• Challenge advanced students to consider additional factors such as cultural background or values influencing the target market.
• Use visual and oral explanations to support diverse learning needs.

---

Extension Ideas (optional)

• Ask students to create simple adverts tailored to their target market (poster or short script).
• Invite a local small business owner to talk about how they identified their target market.

---

Reflection for Teacher

• Were students able to articulate why target markets matter?
• Did group discussions show understanding of demographics and customer needs?
• Use this lesson to prepare for upcoming lessons on marketing strategies and business pitching.

---

This lesson plan respects the developmental level of Year 6 learners, focuses on key business concepts linked to their entrepreneurial project, and aligns closely with the Australian Curriculum's approach to economics and business education.

If you want me to also provide a printable student worksheet or templates, just ask!