What is Entrepreneurship?

Year 5 Business Studies

Unit: Young Entrepreneurs: Business Basics
Lesson 1 of 5
Duration: 110 minutes
Class Size: 10 students
Curriculum Base: NSW Curriculum for Economics and Business Year 5, aligned with Humanities and Social Sciences learning area.

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Lesson Overview

This introductory lesson explores the concept of entrepreneurship and the qualities that make entrepreneurs successful. Through an engaging, hands-on warm-up game ‘Product Charades,’ students will stimulate creativity and critical thinking about products and businesses. The lesson includes research and discussion activities tailored to each year level within a multi-age class setting, promoting differentiated learning.

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WALT (We Are Learning To)

• Understand the concept of entrepreneurship.
• Identify and describe qualities of successful entrepreneurs.
• Develop teamwork and communication skills through role play and group discussion.

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Success Criteria

Students will:

• Define entrepreneurship in their own words.
• List at least three qualities of successful entrepreneurs.
• Participate actively in ‘Product Charades’ and group discussions.
• Demonstrate understanding through a short research or creative extension activity.

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NSW Curriculum Links

Economics and Business – Year 5

• Content Description:
  Explore why individuals and businesses participate in the economy, recognising entrepreneurship and its importance to economic activity.
• Skills:
  • Identify characteristics and qualities of entrepreneurs and consumers.
  • Investigate how entrepreneurs contribute to economic and social wellbeing.
• Achievement Standard:
  Students describe reasons businesses exist and types of businesses, and identify how entrepreneurial characteristics contribute to business success (Note: Year 7 achievement standard references entrepreneurial characteristics suitable to build towards Year 5 understanding).

Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS)

• Recognise entrepreneurship as an economic concept and its impact on community and economy.

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Lesson Plan Detail

Time (min)	Activity	Description	Differentiation
0-10	Introduction & Engagement	- Teacher introduces "What is Entrepreneurship?" topic.	Use clear visual anchor chart defining entrepreneurship with simple language & images (Year 4).
10-30	Warm-Up: Product Charades	- Students are divided into pairs/small groups. - Each group is given product names (toy, food, gadget). - One student acts out the product, others guess. - Class discusses: What makes the product ‘successful’? Who might have created it?	Provide picture cards with product images for Year 4 students; Year 5 try word cards only.
30-45	Class Discussion and Jot Notes	- Define entrepreneurship together. - List qualities of entrepreneurs (e.g. creativity, risk-taking, persistence). - Display on board an Entrepreneurship Qualities Poster.	Offer a printed handout with qualities and definitions for scaffolding.
45-75	Research Task (Year 5 focus)	- Students work individually or in pairs to research a local Australian entrepreneur (e.g., Jessica Mauboy’s family business, or a local café owner). - Use provided printed sheets & tablets/books. - They record entrepreneur’s name, business type, and qualities they show.	Year 4 students research from a simplified, pre-prepared booklet with pictures and facts.
75-95	Group Sharing & Reflection	- Each pair/group shares their findings. - Discuss how their entrepreneur shows the qualities listed earlier. - Discuss why entrepreneurship is important in their community.	Encourage Year 4 to present with drawings if writing is challenging.
95-105	Extension Activity for Advanced Learners	- Year 6 students create a short presentation on a famous entrepreneur (historical or contemporary). - They may use poster paper or digital tools (PowerPoint).	Advanced learners may lead the presentation session, encouraging peer questions.
105-110	Wrap-up & Review	- Recap WALT and Success Criteria. - Quick verbal quiz or thumbs-up/thumbs-down for statements related to entrepreneurship qualities.	Use visual thumbs for students needing non-verbal cues.

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Resources Required

• Product Charades cards (prepared cards with product names and images)
• Entrepreneurship Qualities Poster (created by teacher)
• Tablets or printed research booklets about local entrepreneurs
• Research worksheets for recording key facts
• Paper & art materials for drawings (optional)
• Poster paper and markers for presentation (extension)

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Differentiation Strategies

• Visual aids: Anchor charts and product images assist lower-level learners or younger students (Year 4).
• Guided research: Simplified text and prepared booklets for Year 4 students with pronunciation support if required.
• Mixed-ability pairing: Pair lower-level students with peers who can support research and presentation.
• Verbal and non-verbal participation: Use role play and gesture-based games for kinaesthetic learners and those struggling with writing.

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Extension for Advanced Learners (Year 6)

• Create a presentation about a famous entrepreneur: include biography, business idea, challenges faced, and qualities demonstrated.
• Present to the class or record a video presentation, using digital tools if available.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Informal observation of participation in Product Charades.
• Review of student notes on entrepreneur qualities and local entrepreneur facts.
• Evaluation of spoken presentations for clarity, relevant content, and use of entrepreneurial language.
• Use self-assessment: students tick off qualities they now understand and can identify.

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Teacher Reflection Notes

• Monitor engagement during Product Charades for understanding and enthusiasm.
• Note if students can link entrepreneurial qualities to real people and their own experiences.
• Adjust research materials based on student reading levels for future lessons in the unit.
• Plan to integrate design and creation activities in later lessons based on student interest in products and innovation.

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This lesson provides a hands-on, thematic entry into entrepreneurship aligned with the NSW curriculum framework. It is flexible enough to accommodate mixed year groups by scaffolding research and relying on visual and verbal learning approaches, thereby supporting your small group teaching style. The lesson's activities foster not only understanding but also creativity and confidence in exploring local business ideas and practices.

If you need additional lesson plans in this unit, I can develop detailed plans for the next four lessons focused on business planning, marketing, finances, and pitching ideas.