The article is a series of case studies on small businesses across Canada. There are two lessons related to this one article. This is lesson one.
Appropriate Subject Area(s):
Marketing, entrepreneurship
Key Questions to Explore:
- What are the unique qualities of each of the ventures described in the article?
Introduction to lesson and task:
This lesson explores the phenomenon of family-owned businesses, especially larger ones that have been in existence for many generations.
Action (lesson plan and task):
- Organize the class in groups of seven. Have students number off 1-7.
- In the “home” groups have students brainstorm small businesses in their community.
- Ask them to discuss what is unique about each of the ventures identified.
- Using the Jigsaw method, have students move to another group, so that all the same numbers are together, all the 1s, 2s etc. You will have seven groups of 2-4 students.
- Distribute one of the case studies from the article to each group. There are seven case studies in the article.
- In the “expert” groups have students read the case and answer the following questions:
- What is unique about the venture?
- How does the business owner describe success?
- What qualities can you identify that the owners have that contribute to their success?
Consolidation of Learning:
- Have students return to their home groups and share their case and the answers to the questions discussed in the expert groups.
Success Criteria:
- Students realize how small businesses identify success.
Confirming Activity:
- Have each group nominate one person to share highlights of their discussion.