Marketing and Sales Techniques

Curriculum Alignment

This lesson aligns with Te Marautanga o Aotearoa technology learning area for Year 4, focusing on developing students' competencies in communication, planning, and interpersonal skills through practical application of marketing and sales in a real-world context. It fits within the Market Day Innovations unit, lesson 4 of 4.

Relevant Learner Objectives and Competencies

Learning Area: Technology — Develop understanding of how to communicate ideas effectively and engage with an audience to promote kaupapa/product (general technologies strand)
Whāinga Akoranga (Learning Objectives):
Use interpersonal communication including verbal and non-verbal techniques appropriate for different contexts and audiences.
Plan and organise information logically to create a marketing plan and sales pitch.
Demonstrate confidence and clarity in speaking to groups using appropriate tone, volume, and expressive body language.
Key competencies developed:
Whanaungatanga (Relating to others): Working collaboratively and respecting the views and needs of customers.
Manaakitanga (Showing respect and care): Demonstrating politeness and positive engagement in sales interaction.
Wānanga (Thinking): Develop plans, problem-solve approaches to marketing, and reflect on communication effectiveness.
English language linkages (Te Mātaiaho English years 0–6):
Oral language skills: structuring presentations with clear introductions and conclusions, using expressive and persuasive language, active listening and responding to others.
Non-verbal communication: using body language, gestures, facial expressions to enhance meaning and engagement.

Lesson Overview

Duration: 45 minutes Students: Year 4 (approx. 8-9 years old) Class size: 20 students Lesson Focus: Develop and practise marketing and sales techniques including creating a simple marketing plan for products, rehearsing sales pitches, and using effective communication strategies for Market Day.

Lesson Objectives

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

Develop a clear and simple marketing plan outlining how they will promote their product.
Demonstrate effective sales techniques, including persuasive language and body language.
Practise delivering a confident sales pitch tailored to different customers.
Use active listening and respectful communication to engage with customers.

Resources Needed

Whiteboard or chart paper
Markers
Templates for a simple marketing plan (including sections: Product name, Key features, How to convince customers to buy, Pricing)
Role-play cards with different customer scenarios
Space for paired or small group practice
Visual aids on communication techniques (voice tone, body language cues)

Lesson Plan Breakdown

1. Warm-up and Introduction (5 minutes)

Briefly revisit the product students created in previous lessons (lessons 1-3 of the unit).
Introduce the concept of a marketing plan as a way to tell people why they should buy their product, focusing on simple key messages.
Discuss what makes a good salesperson: clear voice, eye contact, friendly body language, listening carefully to questions.

2. Develop Marketing Plan (10 minutes)

In pairs or small groups, students fill out a simple marketing plan template for their product.
Guide questions for students:
What is your product called?
What is special or useful about your product?
How will you explain to customers why they should buy it?
How much will it cost?
Teacher circulates, supporting groups and helping students articulate persuasive selling points.

3. Explore Communication and Sales Techniques (10 minutes)

Teacher models good sales communication using a pretend product.
Key teaching points:
Speak clearly and loudly enough so the customer can hear.
Use positive body language: smile, make eye contact, stand straight.
Use words that persuade, like “new,” “best,” “helpful,” or “popular.”
Listen carefully and answer questions with respect.
Use role-play videos or live examples to illustrate tone, pace, volume, and body language (including culturally respectful gestures and te reo Māori expressions of politeness where possible).

4. Sales Pitch Practice (15 minutes)

Students practise their sales pitches in pairs or small groups, using their marketing plans as guides.
Set up role-play scenarios where one student acts as the salesperson and the other as a customer with a specific interest or question.
Encourage students to use volume, tone, gestures, and smiles to make their pitch engaging.
Rotate roles so everyone practices both selling and asking questions.
Teacher and peers provide positive feedback focusing on clarity, enthusiasm, and respectful communication.

5. Reflection and Discussion (5 minutes)

Whole class discusses what they found easy or hard about selling their product.
Highlight the importance of listening and adapting the pitch to different customers.
Reinforce manaakitanga and whanaungatanga in respectful customer interaction.
Set simple goals for Market Day such as “I will speak clearly” or “I will smile and listen to customers.”

Assessment

Formative Assessment: Teacher observations during pair and group activities, focusing on use of persuasive language, engagement in role-play, and application of communication techniques.
Self and Peer Assessment: Students use a simple checklist to reflect on their practice: Did I speak clearly? Did I use friendly body language? Did I listen well?
Success Criteria: Students present a concise marketing plan and deliver a confident sales pitch incorporating verbal and non-verbal communication strategies.

Teacher’s Notes

Use culturally relevant examples and language, including te reo Māori words like manaakitanga (hospitality, care) and whanaungatanga (relationships) to frame behaviours expected of salespeople.
Differentiate support with scaffolds such as sentence stems (e.g., “My product is... It is good because...”) to support language development.
Use visual prompts for non-verbal communication cues to support neurodiverse learners.
Encourage whakataukī or simple whakataukī-like sayings about communication and respect to conclude the lesson for cultural integration.

This lesson encourages creativity, interpersonal skills, and practical technology application through student-centred and culturally responsive approaches, in line with the ethos and learning objectives of Te Marautanga o Aotearoa and Year 4 Technology learning outcomes.

If you would like, I can also help create supplementary student worksheets or role-play cards based on this plan.

Teaching Instructions