Coffee Mill Roles

Overview

This 45-minute introductory lesson helps 3rd-grade students understand the roles in a coffee shop coffee mill environment, focusing on teamwork and communication. It is designed for a small class (8 students) and accommodates different academic levels while closely aligning with Common Core State Standards (CCSS).

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Learning Objectives

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

• Identify and describe the key roles within a coffee mill: cashier, ticket giver, and drink maker.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how teamwork and communication contribute to running a coffee mill smoothly.
• For higher academic students: Prepare and deliver a short presentation about coffee mill roles.
• For lower academic students: Complete a role-matching worksheet correctly.

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Common Core State Standards Alignment

English Language Arts (ELA)

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.1
  Engage effectively in collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grade 3 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.4
  Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details.

Math and Science Integration (NGSS Alignment for 3rd Grade STEM practices)

• NGSS 3-5-ETS1-1
  Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.

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Materials Needed

• Role-matching worksheets (custom-designed with images and short descriptions)
• Role cards (cashier, ticket giver, drink maker)
• Whiteboard and markers
• Projector or chart paper for demonstration
• Timer or clock
• Colored pencils or crayons
• Paper/notebooks for presentations
• Simple props (optional: apron for cashier, papers for tickets, plastic cups for drink makers)

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Lesson Procedures

1. Warm-up and Introduction (5 minutes)

• Greet the students and ask: “Have you ever been to a coffee shop? What kinds of jobs do you think people do there?”
• Explain: Today, we begin our unit "STEM in Coffee Shop" by exploring the different roles in the coffee mill — the place your coffee gets prepared in the coffee shop.
• Briefly define the terms: cashier, ticket giver, and drink maker. Write these roles on the board.

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2. Role Exploration & Group Discussion (10 minutes)

• Divide students into pairs.
• Each pair receives one role card and discusses what they think that person does in the coffee mill.
• Bring the class back together. Ask each pair to share their ideas aloud (aligns with CCSS SL.3.1).
• Teacher elaborates on each role using an illustrated poster or projector:
  • Cashier: Handles payment, greets customers
  • Ticket Giver: Gives order tickets to drink makers
  • Drink Maker: Prepares the drinks
• Ask guided questions to emphasize teamwork and communication (e.g., “What happens if the cashier and drink maker don’t talk?”).

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3. Differentiated Activity: Role Presentation or Worksheet (20 minutes)

Higher Academic Students (4 students)

• In small groups or pairs, create a simple presentation (2-3 minutes) on one or more roles.
• Encourage drawings, labeled diagrams, or role-play as part of their presentation.
• Provide time to practice speaking clearly (CCSS SL.3.4).

Lower Academic Students (4 students)

• Complete the role-matching worksheet: Match descriptions or pictures to the correct role (cashier, ticket giver, drink maker).
• Teacher circulates to assist and encourages students to explain their choices verbally.

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4. Sharing & Wrap-Up (7 minutes)

• Invite each group of higher academic students to present their role summary.
• Review the completed worksheets with lower academic students aloud.
• Facilitate a short discussion: “Why is it important for these roles to work together? How can good teamwork help the coffee mill?”
• Reinforce how STEM skills like communication and problem-solving apply in everyday places like a coffee shop.

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Assessment

• Informal assessment during group discussions based on participation quality (CCSS SL.3.1).
• Evaluate presentations for clear communication and understanding of roles (CCSS SL.3.4).
• Check accuracy and understanding on the role-matching worksheet.
• Teacher observation notes on teamwork and communication skills demonstrated during activities.

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Extensions & Homework (Optional)

• Students can "interview" a family member or friend who has worked in any customer service role and share one thing they learned in the next class.
• Create a “Coffee Shop Role” poster at home illustrating one role with description to bring back to class.

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Reflection for Teacher

• Were students able to clearly identify and describe different coffee mill roles?
• Did the differentiated activities engage all academic levels?
• How effectively did students communicate during presentations and discussions?
• Adjust pacing or activity complexity for subsequent lessons based on student responses and comfort.

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This lesson integrates communication, social understanding, and STEM workplace concepts aligned with Common Core standards to engage 3rd graders in a meaningful and age-appropriate manner.