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).

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.

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.

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)

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.

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?”).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.