Entrepreneurship: Teacher Notes - English
Introduction
There is much debate right now about enterprise education in schools. It is clear we need to find time in the school day to teach children about how wealth is created and how good ideas can be turned into businesses. In particular, we need to teach them how to think in an entrepreneurial way.
The kind of skills that entrepreneurs need to create successful businesses — resourcefulness, creativity, flexibility, determination, focus — are the very skills that young people will increasingly need to survive in a fast-changing workplace, where jobs for life are a thing of the past.
As the serial entrepreneur Doug Richard says, “You don’t have to become an entrepreneur to find an entrepreneurship education valuable. If we don’t teach people the economics of society and how the world works, and that most of the value in society comes from entrepreneurial activity, then all we create is a group of uninformed citizens who are simply prey to be taken advantage of.”
Learning entrepreneurship gives young people the confidence to think for themselves. In the race to excite our children about enterprise and entrepreneurship we also need to think hard about what values we are teaching them, and why. We need to be aware of the dangers of promoting the idea that making money is to be prized above all else. Instead the focus should be on finding better ways of doing things and on thinking in new ways to solve real problems.
Most successful entrepreneurs don’t start businesses just to make stacks of money; they start businesses because they are passionate about creating something, because they have found a better way of doing something and because they want to take control of their lives. It is important not to lose sight of that.
Wales has provided the materials required to carry out an entrepreneur challenge. The pathway for this activity is based upon the ‘Enterprise Troopers’ initiative which has been successfully used in Welsh schools over the last couple of years. The intention is that pupils create a business supported by an outside company. They will obtain sponsorship and advice to turn a loan into profit. Technology can be used to manufacture and promote the business. Spreadsheets will be used to support numeracy. A list of activities has been provided along with teaching notes and structured pro formas. Schools participating have or will adapt the process to suit their pupils.
Activity 1:What should we do?
Key Stage 2
Learning Objective
To generate ideas for an enterprise project.
Entrepreneurship Characteristics
Creativity
• Lateral thinking – ideas generation
• Spotting and creating opportunities
• Innovation
Organisation
• Decision making
Learning activities
Introduce the class to the Enterprise Troopers and the national enterprise competition.
Present the pupils with the Enterprise Trooper’s challenge i.e. to think of an enterprise project for the national competition.
Ask pupils to think about questions such as:
• “What are we good at?”
• “How could we use our skills?”
• “What events are coming up in school?”
• “What product/service could meet a need in school or the community?”
• “Who could help us?”
Working in groups, ask pupils to think of and prioritise ideas for a class product or service.
Groups explain their choices with reasons to the class. Opportunity for peer evaluation.
Ask the class to vote to make a collective decision on the best enterprise idea.
Learning outcome
Pupils will generate imaginative ideas and begin to identify needs by asking questions or thinking of ideas as a group.
Resources needed
• ICT
• Interactive whiteboard
Curricular links
1. Literacy and Numeracy Framework
Literacy
Oracy across the curriculum
Developing and presenting information and ideas;
• Speaking
• Collaboration and discussion.
2.PSE
• Understand that money is earned through work and can buy goods and services.
3.Design and technology
• Use a range of information sources to generate ideas for products.
Activity 2:Who shall we speak to?
Learning Objective
To help develop research and planning skills.
Entrepreneurship Characteristics
Relationships
• Presentation
• Communication
Organisation
• Planning
• Research – understanding the environment
Learning activities
Discuss the enterprise ideas generated in Activity 1.
Pose the question “Who could we ask to find out more about our enterprise idea?”.
Discuss inviting a representative from a local enterprise/business to visit the school.
In groups, using local directories, websites, newspapers, map of local area etc. pupils research local enterprises relevant to their project idea within their locality.
Groups present their findings to the class and a class decision is made about which local enterprise/business to invite.
Pupils write invitation letters and/or make a telephone call to the chosen enterprise to arrange a visitor.
Pupils use their research findings to prepare questions to ask the visitor.
Learning outcome
Pupils will begin to develop simple research and planning skills.
Resources needed
• Map of local area
• Local directories
• Newspapers
• Websites
Curricular links
1. Literacy and Numeracy Framework
Literacy
Oracy across the curriculum
Developing and presenting information and ideas;
• Speaking
• Listening
• Collaboration and discussion.
Writing across the curriculum
• Organising ideas and information
• Writing accurately.
Reading across the curriculum
• Locating, selecting and using information
• Responding to what has been read.
2.PSE
• Understand the range of jobs carried out by people in their community.
3.Geography
• To study their local area.
4.Curriculum Cymreig
Activity 3:Where shall we go?
Key Stage 2
Learning Objective
To help develop research and planning skills.
Entrepreneurship Characteristics
Relationships
• Communication
Organisation
• Planning
• Research – understanding the environment
Learning activities
Discuss the ideas generated in Activity 1.
Pose the question “Where could we go to find out more about our chosen idea?”
Discuss a group visit to a local enterprise. The visit could relate to a business providing a similar product/service or a charity or organisation that the enterprise will raise money for.
In groups, using local directories, websites, newspapers, map of local area etc. pupils research local enterprises relevant to their project area within their locality.
Groups present their findings to the class and a class decision is made.
As a literacy activity, pupils write letters and/or make a telephone call to the chosen enterprise to arrange a visit.
Pupils prepare questions to ask on the visit.
Learning outcome
Pupils will begin to develop simple research and planning skills.
Resources needed
• Map of local area
• Local directories
• Newspapers
• ICT
Curricular links
1. Literacy and Numeracy Framework
Literacy
Oracy across the curriculum
Developing and presenting information and ideas;
• Listening
• Collaboration and discussion.
Writing across the curriculum
• Organising ideas and information
• Writing accurately.
Reading across the curriculum
• Locating, selecting and using information
• Responding to what has been read.
2.PSE
• Understand the range of jobs carried out by people in their community.
3.Geography
• To study their local area
• To carry out fieldwork to observe and investigate real places and processes.
4.Curriculum Cymreig
Activity 4:What did we find out?
Key Stage 2
Learning Objective
To gather enterprise information by asking questions.
Entrepreneurship Characteristics
Relationships
• Communication
Organisation
• Research – understanding the environment
Learning activities
Pupils visit a local enterprise or are visited in school by a representative from a local enterprise.
Pupils gather information by asking previously agreed questions and any additional questions stimulated by the visit/visitor.
Pupils make a photographic record of their visit/visitor.
Pupils write a letter thanking the local enterprise.
Pupils organise the information collected and write a summary report of the new things they have discovered.
Pupils write simple “What to do” lists or/and prepare planning charts.
Learning outcome
Pupils will develop questioning skills and understand the range of jobs carried out by people in their community.
Resources needed
• Digital camera
Curricular links
1. Literacy and Numeracy Framework
Literacy
Oracy across the curriculum
Developing and presenting information and ideas;
• Speaking
• Listening
• Collaboration and discussion
Writing across the curriculum
• Organising ideas and information
• Writing accurately
2.PSE
• Understand the range of jobs carried out by people in their community.
3. Curriculum Cymreig
Activity 5:Can we plan?
Key Stage 2
Learning Objective
To enable pupils to develop simple planning and presentation skills.
Entrepreneurship Characteristics
Relationships
• Presentation
• Communication
Organisation
• Planning
• Vision and goal setting
Learning activities
All businesses need a plan that outlines how the enterprise will be set up and run.
Discuss with pupils the need for a business plan to organise their enterprise project.
Ask them to identify and consider key questions such as:
• What is their enterprise idea?
• Who will be working on your enterprise?
• Who will be your customers?
• Who are your competitors?
• How much money will you need?
• Where will you get the money?
• How will you keep track of the money?
• How much profit do you think you will make?
• What will you do with any profit?
• What help will you need?
• How long will your enterprise last?
In groups, pupils use the answers to prepare a simple business plan.
Alternatively, pupils use ICT to create their own business plan.
It is important that everyone involved in setting up the enterprise project knows and understands the contents of their business plan.
The pupils will need to present their business plan to the Head teacher
(and possibly a governor) to raise capital for their enterprise.
Learning outcome
Pupils will begin to develop simple planning and presentation skills.
Resources needed
• ICT
• Interactive whiteboard
Curricular links
1. Literacy and Numeracy Framework
Literacy
Oracy across the curriculum
Developing and presenting information and ideas;
• Speaking
• Listening
• Collaboration and discussion.
Writing across the curriculum
• Organising ideas and information
• Writing accurately.
Activity 6:Who is best at?
Key Stage 2
Learning Objective
To encourage pupils to develop decision making skills and gain an understanding of enterprise roles and responsibilities.
Entrepreneurship Characteristics
Attitude
• Competitiveness
Relationships
• Working with Others
• Negotiation, persuasion and influence
• Presentation
• Communication
Organisation
• Decision Making
Learning activities
Use the key word card sort activity to introduce and enable the pupils to discuss and understand the meaning of key enterprise terms e.g.
• Market research
• Finance
• Production
• Resources
• Advertising
• Selling
Discuss the various ‘jobs’ that need to be allocated to individuals or groups for the enterprise project and the skills required for each one.
Discuss with pupils what criteria they might use to allocate ‘jobs’ e.g.
• “What do you need to be good at to do that job?”
• “Who is best at…?”
• “Who will volunteer to do that job?”
Pupils discuss and decide the individuals (or groups) to take on each role. Pupils could be encouraged to stand for ‘election’ and give a brief presentation on why they should be chosen for the role.
Record the “appointments”, list the tasks to be undertaken and outline the skills identified needed for each task.
Learning outcome
Pupils will begin to recognise the skills required to carry out enterprise roles
and take responsibility.
Resources needed
• Activity 5 key word card sort
• Interactive whiteboard
Curricular links
1. Literacy and Numeracy Framework
Literacy
Oracy across the curriculum
Developing and presenting information and ideas;
• Speaking
• Listening
• Collaboration and discussion.
Writing across the curriculum
• Organising ideas and information
• Writing accurately.
2.PSE
• Identify personal strengths and weaknesses
• Develop the practical skills necessary for everyday life.
Activity 7:What shall we call ourselves?
Learning Objective
To encourage innovation and ideas generation.
Entrepreneurship Characteristics
Creativity
• Lateral thinking – ideas generation
• Innovation
Relationships
• Presentation
Organisation
• Decision Making
Learning activities
Ask the pupils to thought shower the names of businesses.
Ask the pupils to decide what makes a good name for a business:
• Easy to remember
• Tells people about the company
• Explains what the company does
Pupils work in groups to thought shower names for their enterprise. Ask the pupils to vote to decide the ‘company’ name.
Pupils collect different types of logos from magazines and newspapers.
Create a “Logo ladder”, by arranging the most effective logos at the top and the least effective at the bottom.
Discuss the merits and design features of the logos. In groups ask pupils to identify things they like and things they dislike about a logo. Consider features such as:
• the message it gives about the company
• the clients or customers it appeals to
• the use of colour; as it is expensive to print in colour consider if the logo will work well in black and white.
Pupils use ICT or art materials to make designs for logos for their enterprise. Pupils present their ideas to the class. Opportunity for peer assessment.
Ask the pupils to vote to decide the design for the logo.
Learning outcome
Pupils will begin to develop imaginative ideas.
Resources needed
• Examples of logos from magazines and newspapers
• ICT
• Art materials
• Interactive whiteboard
Curricular links
1. Literacy and Numeracy Framework
Literacy
Oracy across the curriculum
Developing and presenting information and ideas;
• Speaking
• Listening
• Collaboration and discussion.
Writing across the curriculum
• Organising ideas and information
• Writing accurately.
2.Art
• Design and make two-dimensional images.
3.Design and technology
• Develop and communicate their design ideas in a variety of ways,
using ICT where appropriate.
4.ICT
• Create and communicate information in the form of text and images,
using a range of ICT hardware and software.
Activity 8:What do people want?
Key Stage 2
Learning Objective
To help develop research and communication skills.
Entrepreneurship Characteristics
Relationships
• Working with others
• Communication
Organisation
• Research – understanding the environment
Learning activities
Ask pupils to identify ways of finding out what people want/like about a product/service.
In groups, ask the pupils think about the advantages and disadvantages of using different methods e.g. surveys, focus groups, one-to-one interviews.
Ask pupils to identify their target market and which method they would prefer to use and why?
Ask pupils to devise simple market research questions and decide how they will be used.
Remember to:
• keep the questions short and simple
• ask only one thing at a time
• use words that the people being interviewed understand.
Pupils carry out market research to help them find out more about the market place in which their product or service is to be sold.
Ask the pupils to collate the responses and present the data in appropriate forms e.g. tally charts, bar charts or line graphs.
Pupils write a summary of “What we found out?” and “Is our product/service a good idea or not?”
Pupils use this to inform their business planning.
Learning outcome
Pupils will develop simple research skills and will use appropriate questions
to acquire information.
Resources needed
• ICT
• Interactive whiteboard
Curricular links
1. Literacy and Numeracy Framework
Literacy
Oracy across the curriculum
Developing and presenting information and ideas;
• Speaking
• Listening
• Collaboration and discussion.
Writing across the curriculum
• Organising ideas and information
• Writing accurately.
Numeracy
Using data skills
• Collect and record data
• Present and analyse data
• Interpret results.
Activity 9:How can we advertise?
Key Stage 2
Learning Objective
To encourage pupils to think creatively.
Entrepreneurship Characteristics
Creativity
• Problem solving
• Innovation
• Lateral thinking – ideas generation
Learning activities
Pupils collect different types of adverts from magazines, posters and newspapers.
Pose the question: “What are the different types/styles?”
In groups, pupils sort the adverts into categories e.g. informative, attention grabbing, humorous.
Ask the pupils to discuss “Which are the most effective adverts and why?”
Pupils use ICT or/and art materials to create different types of adverts related to their enterprise e.g.
• a poster for notice boards
• a flyer to give to parents
• a newspaper advert
• a “special price” label for products.
Pupils evaluate their adverts (using Activity 8 ‘Creating an Advert’ checklist) and discuss ways to improve them. They decide which designs and formats they will use to promote their enterprise project.
Pupils work in groups to prepare leaflets and / or posters to promote their enterprise project.
Pupils prepare for the launch and marketing of their product or service.
Learning outcome
Pupils think creatively and evaluate the effectiveness of their work.
Resources needed
• Magazines, posters, newspapers illustrating different types of advert e.g.
informative, attention grabbing, humorous
• Activity 8 ‘Creating an Advert’ checklist
• ICT
• Interactive whiteboard
Curricular links
1. Literacy and Numeracy Framework
Literacy
Oracy across the curriculum
Developing and presenting information and ideas;
• Speaking
• Listening
• Collaboration and discussion.
Writing across the curriculum
• Organising ideas and information
• Writing accurately.
Reading across the curriculum
• Locating, selecting and using information.
2.Art
• Design and make two-dimensional images.
3.Design and technology
• Develop and communicate their design ideas in a variety of ways,