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Subject

English Language Arts (2005)

Assessment

• Success of business becomes part of evaluation.
• Teacher evaluates classroom participation on basis of observation.
• Teacher evaluates job application and interview.

Author

Alice S. Lammly, Ravena Coeymans Selkirk Middle School

Duration

2 weeks

Description

Objectives:

• Students will examine characteristics of successful entrepreneurial enterprises.
• Students will begin their own school business.

Activity:

• Teacher invites representatives from local businesses or the Chamber of Commerce to discuss various aspects of businesses, including issues involved with starting a business and identifying potential businesses.
• Students brainstorm businesses they could begin as a class, identifying those that would most likely be successful.
• Students work with a business mentor to determine the various departments (or jobs) that will be necessary for the business to operate.
  • Examples are quality control, design, research and development, production, finance, advertising, and accounting.
• Students complete job applications for the positions they want.
• Teacher discusses various interview skills, and students role-play interviews.
• Students engage in interview process, with the teacher as the interviewer.
• All students are given a position within the corporate structure of the school business. Each department has a student manager.
• Once products are manufactured, the students sell their products to the student population.
• Any profits (after paying back start-up money) are donated to a local charity.
• Students discuss the major learning points throughout the experience.

Materials/Resources

• Application forms (teacher-made)
• Start-up money
• Materials to make products
• Research resources
• Computer and related technology to manufacture goods

Comments/Modifications

Ensure that the products or services offered are within the capabilities of the students. This is a good activity for the holidays.

Source

Lammly, Alice S. “School Shopping Mall.” In Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) Resource Guide with Core Curriculum. New York State Department of Education, 131.

Related Academic Standards

New York State

CDOS.I.2.1.A Students apply academic knowledge and skills using an interdisciplinary approach to demonstrate the relevance of how these skills are applied in work-related situations in local, state, national, and international communities.

CDOS.I.2.1.C Students use academic knowledge and skills in an occupational context, and demonstrate the application of these skills by using a variety of communication techniques (e.g., sign language, pictures, videos, reports, and technology).

CDOS.I.3a.BS.1.A Students listen to and read the ideas of others and analyze what they hear and read; acquire and use information from a variety of sources; and apply a combination of mathematical operations to solve problems in oral or written form.

CDOS.I.3a.TS.2.A Students evaluate facts, solve advanced problems, and make decisions by applying logic and reasoning skills.

CDOS.I.3a.IS.4.A Students demonstrate the ability to work with others, present facts that support arguments, listen to dissenting points of view, and reach a shared decision.

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