Sweetie Jar Enterprise

Overview

This 30-minute lesson guides a small group of Year 4 students through the initial planning stage of a mini enterprise project focused on making and selling sweetie jars. This cross-curricular session embeds key aspects from the National Curriculum for England: Design and Technology, Maths, and PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic education), specifically aimed at nurturing creativity, budgeting, teamwork, and basic entrepreneurial skills.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils will be able to:

• DT/Design & Technology (KS2, Year 4): Use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of products that are fit for purpose, aimed at a target audience.
• Maths (Number - addition, subtraction, multiplication, division): Calculate simple budgets and prices using mental and written methods.
• PSHE (Economic wellbeing and financial capability): Understand the idea of a business enterprise and the concept of profit, costs, and pricing.
• English (Oracy and communication): Discuss ideas clearly and work cooperatively in a small group.

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Resources Needed

• Various empty jars and containers
• Sample sweets (pictures or real, controlled by school policies)
• Paper and coloured pencils
• Basic price lists for sweets and jars (printouts or handwritten)
• Whiteboard or flip chart
• Worksheet: "Sweetie Jar Planning Sheet" (includes sections: Target Audience, Jar Name, Design Ideas, Pricing, Budget)
• Calculator (optional, for maths support)

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National Curriculum Links

• Design & Technology:

  • Key Stage 2 – "Use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional products that are fit for purpose."
  • "Understand and apply the principles of a healthy and varied diet" (linking to sweet content awareness).

• Mathematics:

  • Number – addition and subtraction, multiplication and division – “Solve problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.”
  • Financial maths within budgeting exercises.

• PSHE:

  • Economic wellbeing and financial capability – "Understand that money is earned, saved and spent."
  • "Experience some of the ideas that underpin successful enterprise."

• English:

  • Spoken language – “Articulate and justify answers, arguments and opinions.”
  • Collaborative discussions.

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Lesson Plan Structure

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

• Greet the group and explain the goal: to design and plan a sweetie jar business.
• Show an example sweetie jar or picture. Ask students:
  • Who might buy this sweetie jar?
  • What should it look like?
  • How much should it cost?
• Link the activity to real-life business and money skills.

2. Exploring Audience and Jar Design (8 minutes)

• Discuss target audience for the sweetie jars (e.g., classmates, parents, teachers).
• Use the "Sweetie Jar Planning Sheet".
• Brainstorm and sketch possible jar designs and names (balloons, bright colours, themes).
• Discuss the importance of making the jar attractive and suitable for the audience.

3. Budgeting and Pricing (10 minutes)

• Present simple price lists of sweets and jars.
• Guide students to select sweets for their jars within a budget (£2 - £3).
• Do calculations together:
  • Price to buy sweets and jars.
  • Suggested selling price (think about profit).
• Discuss what profit means and why it’s important.
• Use mental maths and simple written methods to calculate costs and profits.

4. Group Sharing and Communication (5 minutes)

• Each pupil presents their jar’s name, design idea and pricing.
• Encourage questions and suggestions from peers.
• Use this time to foster clear communication, listening, and constructive feedback.

5. Conclusion and Next Steps (2 minutes)

• Recap what has been learnt: planning, budgeting, and teamwork.
• Explain that the next lesson will involve making the jars and marketing them.
• Praise their creative ideas and fantastic collaboration.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Observe pupils’ participation in discussions and teamwork (formative).
• Check completed "Sweetie Jar Planning Sheets" for understanding of budgeting and product design.
• Ask pupils to explain their pricing decisions to assess comprehension of profit and costs.
• Informal questioning during the session to check understanding of the enterprise concept.

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Extension Ideas (For after lesson or differentiated tasks)

• Introduce simple marketing ideas: slogans, posters, or social media-style adverts.
• Calculate break-even price or consider discounts.
• Explore healthy alternatives or allergy considerations as part of Design & Technology.

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Teacher’s Notes

• Ensure sweets comply with school policies on allergies and dietary considerations.
• Emphasise teamwork and collective decision-making, as this sets a strong foundation for enterprise skills.
• Adapt calculations based on pupils’ maths abilities; use calculators as scaffold if needed.
• Use positive reinforcement to build confidence in discussing money and ideas.

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This detailed plan offers a real-world context for core curriculum skills, engaging pupils through hands-on creativity and practical maths, while introducing them to basic business concepts and collaborative working in a fun, memorable way.