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Posters
- Lesson Resources
- Intellectual Property Poster
- Keys to Entrepreneurial Success Poster
- Legal Structures Poster
- Money Talks: Kinds of Costs Poster
- Types of Businesses Poster
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All About Auctions
- Lesson Resources
- All About Auctions
- Your First Classroom Auction
- Gum Auction to Illustrate Inflation
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Planning Tools
The Youth Entrepreneurs curriculum is designed with flexibility in mind. You can implement it in a variety of ways. Get equipped to make it happen with our pacing guides, sample roadmaps and unit guides.
- Lesson Resources
- Sample Road Map: Year Long
- Sample Road Map: Semester Long
- Sample Road Map: 9-Week Block
- Pacing Guide
- I have 15 minutes left...Now what?
- Business Finance Content Map
- Economics Content Map
- Market Day Content Map
- Entrepreneurial Mindset Content Map
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- Materials List
- Optional: Roadmap
- Optional: Pacing Guide
- Lesson Themes
- You are the entrepreneur of your classroom!
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Classroom Currency
In the YE classroom, we bring markets to life by implementing a classroom economy. Central to the classroom economy is our own currency. Here’s why it helps students, plus how to make currency part of your own YE class.
- Videos
- 1. Intro
- Lesson Resources
- How To Use Classroom Currency
- Introducing Classroom Currency
- YE Bond
- YE Dollars - One Dollar
- YE Dollars - Five Dollars
- YE Dollars - Ten Dollars
- YE Dollars - Twenty Dollars
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- Materials List
- YE Dollar
- YE Bond
- Lesson Themes
- Introduce currency to your students.
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Foundational Values: Behavior Model
At Youth Entrepreneurs, the principles that guide behavior are called Foundational Values. These YE values are central to our curriculum and significant in helping our students grow. Learn about the Foundational Values Behavior Model.
- Lesson Resources
- FV Behavior Model
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Foundational Values Reflection
At Youth Entrepreneurs, the principles that guide behavior are called Foundational Values. These YE values are central to our curriculum and significant in helping our students grow.
- Lesson Resources
- Foundational Values Reflection
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Codec
Explore the Codec, to engage your students in entrepreneurial learning.
- Lesson Resources
- Codec
- Codec with descriptions
- How to Use The Codec
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- Materials List
- Codec
- Lesson Themes
- YE Foundational Values, Market Measure, The Four S's and Ricardo's Law
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FV: Win-Win Focus
The Youth Entrepreneurs value “Be principled” teaches students integrity, respect and toleration. Approaching life and work with principles leads to long-term success. In this series you will learn about this value and how to apply it in your classroom.
- Lesson Themes
- Win-Win Focus – Cooperation creates real value in society — for yourself and others.
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FV: Sound Judgment
Foundational Value Sound Judgment: Use economic thinking to create the greatest benefit while using the least resources.
- Lesson Themes
- The YE Foundational Values are at the heart of everything we do.
- The Foundational Values were developed with the elements of a flourishing society in mind.
- These eight values capture practical concepts that students can apply to their own lives.
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FV: Opportunity
Foundational Value Opportunity: You make your own opportunities.
- Lesson Themes
- The YE Foundational Values are at the heart of everything we do.
- The Foundational Values were developed with the elements of a flourishing society in mind.
- These eight values capture practical concepts that students can apply to their own lives.
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FV: Passion
Foundational Value Passion: Find fulfillment in your life by improving the lives of others.
- Lesson Themes
- The YE Foundational Values are at the heart of everything we do.
- The Foundational Values were developed with the elements of a flourishing society in mind.
- These eight values capture practical concepts that students can apply to their own lives.
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FV: Freedom
Foundational Value Freedom: Respect the rights of others and study the links between freedom, entrepreneurship and societal well-being.
- Lesson Themes
- The YE Foundational Values are at the heart of everything we do.
- The Foundational Values were developed with the elements of a flourishing society in mind.
- These eight values capture practical concepts that students can apply to their own lives.
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FV: Knowledge
Foundational Value Knowledge: Seek and use the best knowledge, drive change that benefits others, and exemplify humility and intellectual honesty.
- Lesson Themes
- The YE Foundational Values are at the heart of everything we do.
- The Foundational Values were developed with the elements of a flourishing society in mind.
- These eight values capture practical concepts that students can apply to their own lives.
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FV: Be Principled
Foundational Value Be Principled: Always act with integrity, respect and toleration.
- Lesson Themes
- The YE Foundational Values are at the heart of everything we do.
- The Foundational Values were developed with the elements of a flourishing society in mind.
- These eight values capture practical concepts that students can apply to their own lives.
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FV: Responsibility
Foundational Value Responsibility: Take responsibility for your own life. No one will ever be as concerned about your success as you.
- Lesson Themes
- The YE Foundational Values are at the heart of everything we do.
- The Foundational Values were developed with the elements of a flourishing society in mind.
- These eight values capture practical concepts that students can apply to their own lives.
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Foundational Values: How To Guide
At Youth Entrepreneurs, the principles that guide behavior are called Foundational Values. These YE values are central to our curriculum and significant in helping our students grow. Learn how to use the Youth Entrepreneur’s eight guiding Foundational Values in your classroom.
- Lesson Resources
- Foundational Values How To Guide
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Design Thinking How to Guide
This is a hands-on user-centered approach defined by the design thinking process, which is made up of five (5) stages; Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test.
- Lesson Resources
- Design Thinking How to Guide
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Ticket Out
There are many strategies for checking for student understanding of class material. One quick, easy and effective strategy is the “ticket out the door”. Students need to reflect as well as teachers, a ticket out provides this reflection time, as well as giving YE students valuable practice pitching. When we pitch and articulate ideas, it builds vocabulary, allows students to process and connect information, and builds confidence, as well as providing the teacher with valuable information as to the student’s level of understanding.
- Lesson Resources
- Ticket Out How To Guide
- Download All
- Materials List
- Prepared “ticket-out” cards with prompts, one per student (optional)
- Blank paper, scratch paper, or index cards for students to write prompt and response on (optional)
- YE Dollars (optional)
- Lesson Themes
- Check for student understanding of a lesson or concept, guiding the teacher on where to clarify for students or re-teach.
- Provides students the opportunity to process what they have learned and verbalize it, leading to deeper understanding and better long-term memory of the material.
- Provides students the opportunity to practice pitching their ideas and gain confidence in their ability to share ideas and accept feedback.
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BMC - Partner Pitch
This activity can be used at any time during a class. You can use partner pitches at the beginning of a session or in the middle to keep students engaged and to take ownership of their learning.
- Lesson Resources
- BMC Partner Pitch How to Guide
- BMC Partner Pitch Cards
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- Materials List
- BMC Partner Pitch Cards
- Lesson Themes
- The time for this activity can vary based on two things: the amount of time you give your students to pitch (typically 1 minute) and the amount of time you give them to write notes on their Partner Pitch card (typically 3-4 minutes).
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Bridge Building for Team Building
As we come together, we each have many talents, skills, and ideas which we can share with each other. This activity will give you a chance to share these talents with one another and to begin to work better together as a team.
- Lesson Resources
- Bridge Building for Team Building Activity Guide
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- Materials List
- Newspapers
- Masking tape - one roll of masking tape per group
- Timer and music
- Lesson Themes
- In the Bridge Building Activity, students will be tasked with building a bridge as a team.
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The Creativity Minute
This activity is all about developing our brains in a way that allows us to be creative problem-solvers.
- Lesson Resources
- Creativity Minute Activity Guide
- Creativity Minute PowerPoint
- Creativity Minute Handout
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- Materials List
- Creativity Minute PowerPoint
- Creativity Minute handout (optional)
- Lesson Themes
- The Creativity Minute is great bell-ringer that gives students an opportunity to regularly work to develop their creativity.
- In the activity students will look at a basic shape or set of lines and brainstorm ideas, creating a vision for what the shape could be or represent.
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S.M.A.R.T. Goals
During this activity, students will examine the difference between a well-written S.M.A.R.T. goal and a poorly written goal.
- Lesson Resources
- SMART Goals Activity Guide
- SMART Goals Graphic Organizer
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- Materials List
- Journal or Notebook (where goals can be written and easily reviewed)
- Student Handouts: “What do S.M.A.R.T. goals look like?”, “Practice Writing S.M.A.R.T. Goals.”
- Example cards – cut out goal example cards, one set per student or pair of students
- Lesson Themes
- Students will write S.M.A.R.T goals for the purpose of setting personal goals.
- Students will write S.M.A.R.T goals for the purpose of setting goals for their Market Day business.
- Students will write S.M.A.R.T goals for a prospective business or a business they are currently operating.
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Three-Legged Stool
In this lesson students will learn about the three-legged stool. The three-legged stool is an analogy for three things all businesses need to sustain long-term success. All businesses need “Raving-Fan Customers”, “Gung-Ho Employees” and “Financial Success”. Without any one of the three, the business will fail or fall just like a three-legged stool without one of its legs.
- Lesson Resources
- Three Legged Stool Activity Guide
- Three Legged Stool Graphic Organizer
- Three Legged Stool PPT
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- Materials List
- Three-Legged Stool: Three Things for Business Success PowerPoint
- Three-Legged Stool Graphic Organizer
- Lesson Themes
- The three-legged stool lesson ties in nicely with the CPV Triangle and a discussion of win-win transactions.
- One of the beauties of this lesson is its simplicity. It is a lesson students can easily remember and carry with them, something they can easily reflect on in assessing their business.
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Zoom
Zoom illustrates the costs and barriers to exchanging needed knowledge and information in a fun, interactive way.
- Lesson Resources
- Zoom Activity Guide
- Download All
- Materials List
- 2 copies of Zoom by Istvan Banyai
- Incentive (YE dollars, candy, money, gift cards, etc.)
- Lesson Themes
- Zoom should be used at the beginning of the school year following Cowboy Inkblot and Find the Numbers.
- Though there is no prior knowledge required for the students, the debrief discussion is aided by having discussed shared vision.
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Human Treasure Hunt
This is an activity to help your students get to know one another better and practice their soft skills.
- Lesson Resources
- Human Treasure Hunt Activity Guide
- Human Treasure Hunt Handout
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- Materials List
- Human Treasure Hunt Handout
- Writing Utensils
- Timer
- Lesson Themes
- It is best to use this lesson within the first week of class.
- This lesson is part of the overall Networking and Soft Skills discussion.
- Students do not need prior knowledge to do this activity.
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Personal Branding Project
This is a project to help your students understand brands and create a brand for themselves. This is a good time to discuss why creating a brand for yourself is important.
- Lesson Resources
- Personal Branding Activity Guide
- Personal Branding PPT
- Download All
- Materials List
- The materials required for this project will depend on what you ask your students to create.
- Lesson Themes
- It is best to use this lesson within the rst few weeks of class.
- This is great way for your students to understand basic business terms, branding and personal assessment (SWOT – strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats).
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What's in a Handshake?
For most of us adults, a handshake is simple, easy, and it comes naturally. That is not the case for most of our students. And unfortunately, there are a lot of ways a handshake can go wrong. Handshakes are very important in a professional environment.
- Lesson Resources
- What's in a Handshake Activity Guide
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- Materials List
- N/A
- Lesson Themes
- It is best to use this lesson within the first week of class.
- This lesson is part of the overall Networking and Soft Skills discussion.
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Marshmallow Towers
Marshmallow Towers is an activity that allows your students to gain a basic understanding of different business structures. Students, working in groups, are randomly assigned a business structure. The goal of their business is to build the tallest tower using only the provided resources.
- Lesson Resources
- Marshmallow Towers Activity Guide
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- Materials List
- Toothpicks - enough for each group to have 20
- White marshmallows - enough for each group to have 20
- Color marshmallows - enough for each group to have 20
- Lesson Themes
- You can use this lesson anytime depending on what you want to emphasize.
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PIT With Namecards
Pit is a fast-paced card game designed to simulate open outcry bidding for commodities. If you are familiar with this classic game, be aware that we don’t necessarily play by the rules, as written. We use the game as a way for students to learn about trade, simple negotiations, and focusing on the economic principle of comparative advantage. In this variation we use the concept of trade from Pit but NOT the Pit cards. Additionally, there is no buyer or seller needed. The purpose of this variation is to give your students the opportunity to practice the art of the trade while also getting to know their peers.
- Lesson Resources
- Pit-with-Name-Cards Activity Guide
- Download All
- Materials List
- Blank Notecards - 7 per student
- YE Currency
- Lesson Themes
- This variation of Pit can be used throughout the school year in a number of ways.
- It is best to do Pit with Name Cards within the first couple of days of class.
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Teaching Soft Skills
Soft skills are the personal attributes that complement an individual’s technical skill and knowledge. According to Career Builder, 77% of employers say that soft skills are just as important as hard skills. College professors identify the same skills as important to college success.
- Lesson Resources
- Teaching Soft Skills Guide
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- Materials List
- See Activity Guide for Resources for Activities and Lessons
- Lesson Themes
- Soft skills include: Personal work ethic and integrity, legal and ethical responsibilities, interpersonal skills, etc.
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A Decade of Entrepreneurs
The Decade of Entrepreneurship activity affords your students the opportunity to research an entire decade worth of entrepreneurs and share that knowledge with their peers.
- Lesson Resources
- Decade of Entrepreneurship Activity Guide
- Decade of Entrepreneurship Handout
- Decade of Entrepreneurship PPT
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- Materials List
- Handout to explain activity and/or PowerPoint slide to display
- Computers/laptops
- Lesson Themes
- Assign A Decade of Entrepreneurship after introducing your students to YE definition of entrepreneurship.
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100 Entrepreneurs
The 100 Entrepreneurs who Changed the World activity allows students the opportunity to independently research an entrepreneur from history who made an impact on their community, economy or the world.
- Lesson Resources
- 100 Entrepreneurs Activity Guide
- 100 Entrepreneurs Handout
- 100 Entrepreneurs PPT
- 100 Entrepreneurs Names XLS
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- Materials List
- Handout to explain activity and/or PowerPoint slide to display
- Computers/laptops
- Lesson Themes
- Assign 100 Entrepreneurs that Changed the World after introducing the YE definition of entrepreneurship to your students
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Invention Activity
There are many ways you can foster creativity in your students and the Invention Activity is one of them. In the Invention Activity there is no right or wrong, no impossible. There are no lines to color in. No box to stay in.
- Lesson Resources
- Invention Activity Guide
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- Materials List
- Lesson Materials (See Activity Guide)
- YE Currency and YE bonds
- Lesson Themes
- The Invention Activity can be used at any time throughout the school year.
- The more your students practice innovation and creativity, the more likely they are to think outside the box.
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Innovation Activity
The Innovation activity gives the student an opportunity to take an existing product and improve it. When doing this activity it is important to remind students that innovation is not just creating new products, but improving existing products to meet new needs, demands, requirements, etc.
- Lesson Resources
- Innovation Activity Guide
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- Materials List
- Butcher paper/large flipchart paper
- Markers/colored pencils
- Sample of item chosen for innovation
- Lesson Themes
- The Innovation activity is most effective after discussing innovation and creative destruction.
- The Innovation activity is one you can do throughout the duration of the course as it encourages creativity and problem solving.
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The Footwear Design Project
The Footwear Project is a fast-paced project leading students through the design thinking process. This project supports the same mindset, thinking and outcomes as The Extraordinaire’s project in less time (without needing The Extraordinaires Design Studio). Students pair up, show and tell each other about their footwear, ideate, and make a new solution that is “useful and meaningful” to their partner.
- Lesson Resources
- Footwear Project Activity Guide
- Footwear Design Packet
- Download All
- Materials List
- The Footwear Design Packet
- Colored Pencils
- Lesson Themes
- The Footwear Design Thinking Project can be used at anytime throughout your YE program.
- Students do not require any prior knowledge to be successful at design thinking.
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The Extraordinaires - Design Thinking
The Extraordinaire’s Design Project is set-up in a way that guides students through the practices of sharing knowledge, showing incomplete work, accepting feedback, and focusing on the user.
- Lesson Resources
- The Extraordinaires Design Project Activity Guide
- Getting To Know - Graphic Organizer
- Brainstorming - Graphic Organizer
- Evaluating - Graphic Organizer
- Download All
- Materials List
- The Extraordinaries Cards; Extraordinaire Persona Cards, Project Cards and Think Cards
- Graphic Organizers
- Idea Pad Paper
- Lesson Themes
- The Extraordinaires Design Project can be used at anytime throughout your YE program.
- Students do not require any prior knowledge to be successful at design thinking.
- You can repeat this project as many time as you like throughout your program.
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Speak Out, Speak Back
Speak Out Cards afford students the opportunity to practice standing in front of others and speaking extemporaneously. There is little risk but high return for the students during this activity.
- Lesson Resources
- Speak Out Speak Back Activity Guide
- Download All
- Materials List
- Speak Out Cards
- Timer
- YE Currency
- Lesson Themes
- You can do Speak Out – Speak Back for the rst or last 15 minutes of class.
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Three Simple but Not Easy Questions
The following activity will challenge your students. Many of them will fail to answer correctly. Correct answers are not the goal of this activity. For the purpose of the Youth Entrepreneurs curriculum, it helps introduce and reinforce concepts related to Sound Judgment, Be Principled, and, if deployed in conjunction with the YE Classroom currency (YE dollars) it can create an Opportunity for the students to build wealth by solving problems.
- Lesson Resources
- 3 Simple But Not Easy Questions Activity Guide
- 3 Simple But Not Easy Questions PPT
- Download All
- Materials List
- Notecards for each student to record answers
- Three Simple but Not Easy Questions slide presentation
- YE Currency
- Lesson Themes
- This lesson should be used within the rst week of class.
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Cowboy Inkblot and Find the Numbers
This lesson is all about vision and sharing knowledge. It is important that any group, organization or business communicates their vision, has a shared vision, and shares the knowledge required to reach common goals.
- Lesson Resources
- Cowboy Inkblot & Find the Numbers
- Cowboy Inkblot & Find the Numbers PPT
- Cowboy Inkblot Handout
- Find the Numbers Handout
- Download All
- Materials List
- Cowboy Inkblot and Find the Numbers PowerPoint
- Optional: Cowboy Inkblot handout
- Optional: Find the Numbers handout
- Lesson Themes
- You will want to do this lesson at the beginning of the year; ideally while introducing entrepreneurship.
- Students do not need any prior knowledge.
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Money Bowl
Money Bowl provides an applicable example of greed while exploring the effects of communication and trust within a group.
- Lesson Resources
- Money Bowl Activity Guide
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- Materials List
- Large Bowl
- Approx. 40 U.S. $1 bills or YE dollars
- 5 Blindfolds
- Lesson Themes
- Money Bowl is best when used prior to starting discussions about the different types of economic systems.
- The students do not need any prior knowledge to participate in Money Bowl.
- You will want to watch Stossel in the Classroom after you have played Money Bowl.
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Pitch It
The purpose of Pitch It is to help students experiment with different product or service concepts and then try to convince customers to choose their idea based on the perception of value. This activity requires students to be creative, think quickly, and be persuasive.
- Lesson Resources
- Pitch It Activity Guide
- Pitch It Customers
- Pitch It Words
- Pitching How to Teach Pitching
- Download All
- Materials List
- Pitch It customer and word pieces in resealable bags. You will need one set for each group of students
- YE Currency
- YE Bonds
- Lesson Themes
- Pitch It is an activity that can be used throughout the school year. Students do not need to have any prior knowledge.
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Speak Out Cards
Speak Out Cards afford students the opportunity to practice standing in front of others and speaking extemporaneously. There is little risk but high return for the students during this activity.
- Lesson Resources
- Pitching How to Teach Pitching
- Speak Out Cards
- Speakout Cards (Easy)
- Speakout Cards (Medium)
- Speakout Cards (Hard)
- Speakout Cards (Foundational Values)
- Download All
- Materials List
- Speak Out Cards
- Timer
- YE Currency
- Lesson Themes
- Speak Out – Speak Back can be used throughout the school year.
- Students do not need any prior knowledge to be successful at Speak Out – Speak Back. Speak Out—Speak Back WITH SPEAK OUT CARDS Time You can do Speak Out – Speak Back for the rst or last 15 minutes of class. You can do a certain number of students each day. You can do it until each student has gone once. It really just depends on what you would like to do and the amount of time you have available. ~90 min
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9 Questions
The 9 questions were derived from a well-known tool used in business (BMC). The 9 questions remove the intimidating concepts and questions and replaces them with prompts students find much easier to answer. This model will aid in kick-starting the entrepreneurial mindset, giving students insight into what action should be taken to create value for themselves and others. Watch the video to see how these questions were once used in a slightly unconventional way.
- Videos
- 1. 9 Questions
- Lesson Resources
- BIO Sheet Teacher Guide
- Business Idea Organizer
- Download All
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Business Model Canvas
YE instills an entrepreneurial vision in students. And as they create their own business ideas, the Business Model Canvas is a powerful tool to jumpstart the entrepreneurial process.
- Lesson Resources
- BMC Teacher's Guide
- BMC Map to Business Plan
- BMC Cheatsheet
- BMC Blank
- 22 Ways to Teach BMC
- BMC Resources
- BIO Sheet Teacher Guide
- Download All
- Materials List
- Business Model Canvas
- Post-it Notes
- Lesson Themes
- The BMC has nine building blocks.
- The upper left side of the canvas is operations and management (Key Partners, Key Activities, Key Resources), the right side is customer focused (Value Proposition, Channels, Customer Relationships, & Customer Segments).
- The bottom is financials (Cost Structure & Revenue Streams)
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Disruptus
Disruptus is a game that demonstrates the importance of being Opportunity Obsessed, Innovating and properly Aligned Value Creation. This activity puts the students in the position of knowing who their market is and properly aligning their innovation strategies with their market in order to create value for the customer, therefore creating value for themselves.
- Videos
- 1. Intro
- 2. Set-up
- 3. Activity
- 4. Debrief
- Lesson Resources
- Disruptus Activity Guide
- Download All
- Materials List
- Disruptus game
- Game Handout
- Whiteboard
- Lesson Themes
- Disruptus can be used at any time throughout the school year.
- Disruptus is a great tool to use to get your students thinking about ideas for Market Day and Business Models.
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Negotiating Game
Negotiating skills can be important to the success in the marketplace of business owners and consumers. In The Negotiating Game students will engage in buying and selling, making real transactions in order to experience what Win-Win looks and feels like, as well as looking at the market consequences.
- Lesson Resources
- Negotiating Game Activity Guide
- Download All
- Materials List
- Large chart or poster paper, white board etc., with CPV Triangle template on it
- Dry-Erase Marker or Sharpie appropriate for writing on board
- Two small post-it notes or pieces of paper per student
- Lesson Themes
- One important thing to remember when negotiating is that, although we are representing our own interests, negotiating is about compromise and creating value in the marketplace through mutually beneficial exchange.
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Activity
Tennis Ball Factory
This experiment uses student participation to teach the concept of diminishing marginal returns. Students are told they will be the employees in a widget factory. This game works equally well in small classes (less than 30 students) and also large lectures (more than 250 students). You will need enough space to place the buckets 16-20 feet apart. If you do not have a large room, you may want to complete the activity in the hallway, outside or in the gym.
- Videos
- 1. Intro
- 2. Set-up
- 3. Activity
- 4. Debrief
- Lesson Resources
- Tennis Ball Factory Activity Guide
- Candy Bar & Marg Utility Supplemental
- Tennis Ball Factory Ex. Spreadsheet
- Download All
- Materials List
- 24-36 tennis balls
- 2 five-gallon buckets
- Whiteboard or other method for recording results
- Lesson Themes
- This lesson should be used during the Economics Unit and/or before Market Day.
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Activity
I, Pencil
I, Pencil offers teachers the opportunity to reiterate many of the themes of previous lessons, but with a specific emphasis on the market process, the invisible hand, spontaneous order, and voluntary cooperation. The key text for this lesson is Leonard Read’s “I, Pencil” essay, which helps demonstrate how markets coordinate the actions of thousands of free individuals through market prices and incentives.
- Lesson Resources
- I, Pencil Activity Guide
- Download All
- Materials List
- #2 Pencils - one for each student
- I, Pencil text - one copy for each student (Optional)
- Lesson Themes
- I, Pencil should be used when discussing business nance.
- It is recommended you use I, Pencil as a way to introduce the concepts of costs and channels.
- Students should have a basic understanding of the market and economics.
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Towers
Towers is a game that demonstrates the importance of both doing business profitably and also doing it “the right way.” After completing Towers, students better understand the importance of conducting business using the Foundational Values to create long-term value.
- Lesson Resources
- Towers Activity Guide
- Towers Rating Form
- Download All
- Materials List
- Paper and newspaper
- Scissors
- Tape
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Activity
Bead-Ville
Students will have the opportunity to participate in the three basic economic systems. By working in each of the systems, students internalize the fundamental values present in each system. They also gain insights into the basic advantages and disadvantages of each system.
- Lesson Resources
- Bead-Ville Activity Guide
- Download All
- Materials List
- Colored beads: red, aqua, green, yellow, blue
- String - the string that comes in a ball tends to work the best
- Ruler
- Lesson Themes
- It is best to use Bead-Ville after you have covered the types of economic systems.
- This is a great activity to do after Money Bowl and having watched John Stossel’s Greed.
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Activity
10 Economic Principles
Youth Entrepreneurs follows ten economic principles that we believe are crucial for students to understand in pursuing their entrepreneurial ventures. In tandem with our Foundational Values, these principles are the platform for success in economics. Our Economic Principles include the Four S’s, the Four Market Measures, and Ricardo’s Law of Comparative Advantage. Watch these videos to learn why these principles are so important and get tips on how to teach them.
- Lesson Resources
- 10 Economic Principles PPT
- Download All
- Materials List
- Optional: 10 Economics Principles PPT
- Lesson Themes
- The Four S's
- 4 Market Measures
- Ricardo's Law of Comparative Advantage
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Activity
The Trading Game
The Trading Game engages students in a trading simulation designed to illustrate a complex marketplace in which goods and services are traded. Through several rounds of trade, students will see that the broader their access to trade, and the more choices they have for solutions to their problems, the greater their satisfaction.
- Videos
- 1. Intro
- 2. Set-up
- 3. Activity
- 4. Debrief
- Lesson Resources
- Trading Game Activity Guide
- Trading Game Satisfaction Chart
- Download All
- Materials List
- A large number of small, easily-exchanged items (e.g., miniature candy bars, boxes of raisins, small toys, packages of sticky notes, pencils, stickers, etc.)
- Items that go well together like a portable makeup mirror and a hairbrush or comb that can then be put into separate bags.
- Packages of items that have multiples in them like a box of candy bars, etc.
- Lesson Themes
- The Trading Game is best used within the rst two weeks of class.
- The students will not require any prior knowledge to successfully participate in The Trading Game.
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Activity
Boneyard
The Boneyard experience teaches students about communication and competition. Explore how to lead your class through the activity and teach market principles throughout.
- Videos
- 1. Intro
- 2. Set-up
- 3. Activity
- 4. Debrief
- Lesson Resources
- Boneyard Activity Guide
- Boneyard Price Sheets
- Boneyard Rule Sheet
- Download All
- Materials List
- 6 sets of double six dominoes
- Boneyard Rule Sheets - one per group
- Boneyard Price Sheets - one per group based on group size
- Lesson Themes
- It is recommended you play Boneyard during the Economics Unit.
- Boneyard builds on the learning established throughout Pit and The Trading Game.
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Activity
PIT - Just the Basics
Pit is a fast-paced card game designed to simulate open outcry bidding for commodities. We use the game as a way for students to learn about trade and simple negotiations, and focus on the economic principle of comparative advantage.
- Videos
- 1. Intro
- 2. Set-up
- 3. Activity
- 4. Debrief
- Lesson Resources
- PIT Activity Guide
- Download All
- Materials List
- Pit Cards or multiple decks of basic playing cards (remove the twos, face cards, and jokers)
- YE Currency
- One or Two tables – if you have assistance you will want one for selling and one for buying
- Lesson Themes
- Pit can be used throughout the entire school year.
- It is a great introduction into how markets work.
- Students do not need prior knowledge to be successful in Pit.
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Activity
Paper Airplane Factory
This activity engages students in the process of rapid prototyping, while facing challenges like scarcity and risk. Explore how to bring the Paper Airplane Factory to life in your classroom.
- Videos
- 1. Intro
- 2. Set-up
- 3. Activity
- 4. Debrief
- Lesson Resources
- Paper Airplanes Activity Guide
- Paper Airplanes Rules Sheet
- Paper Airplanes Score Sheet
- Paper Airplanes Test Flight Record
- Download All
- Materials List
- A multicolor ream of paper with at least 5 different colors, 25 sheets each
- Paper Airplanes Rule sheets for each group
- Paper Airplanes Test Flight Record Sheet for each group
- Lesson Themes
- This activity is repeatable and can be used as a way to help students form their Market Day groups.
- It works well during the Intro to Entrepreneurship unit and is an excellent bridge between the Entrepreneurship section and the Innovation & Creative Destruction section.
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Activity
Social Media Plan
This activity is designed to guide your students through the thought process and steps in creating a Social Media Plan. The purpose of this activity is to give students an opportunity to research and define who their customer is, utilizing the Persona Canvas, examine which social media their customer uses, what message students want to communicate to customers, and how they will use social media to communicate their plan. This activity culminates with students creating a Concept Board outlining their social media plan and pitching the plan for YE bonds.
- Lesson Resources
- Social Media Plan Activity Guide
- Social Media Plan Team Sheet
- Download All
- Materials List
- Social Media Plan Team Sheet
- Pencils
- Poster Board/Chart Paper
- Lesson Themes
- social media
- marketing
- customer segment
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Activity
Alphabet Soup
The purpose of Alphabet Soup is to reinforce the importance of a recognizable logo.
- Lesson Resources
- Alphabet-Soup-Activity-Guide
- Alphabet Soup Handout
- Download All
- Materials List
- Alphabet Soup Handout
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Activity
Invention Activity
There are many ways you can foster creativity in your students and the Invention Activity is one of them. In the Invention Activity, there is no right or wrong, no impossible. There are no lines to color in. No box to stay in. You get to allow your students to be as innovative as possible while using the supplies you have provided.
- Lesson Resources
- Invention Activity - Activity Guide
- Download All
- Materials List
- Required materials vary based on what supplies you choose to provide for students (Suggestions include: pipe cleaners, pom-poms, tape, glue, string, popsicle sticks, plastic cups, stickers, markers, ribbon, straws, seashells, construction paper, hole punches, or Play-Doh.)
- YE currency and YE bonds
- Lesson Themes
- The Invention Activity can be used at any time throughout the school year. The more often the better, as it allows for innovation, creativity, and pitching
- The earlier in the year you start doing activities like the Invention Activity the more comfortable your students will become sharing their ideas in front of others.
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Activity
Innovation Activity
The Innovation activity gives the student an opportunity to take an existing product and improve it. When doing this activity it is important to remind students that innovation is not just about creating new products, but improving existing products to meet new needs, demands, requirements, etc.
- Lesson Resources
- Innovation Activity - Activity Guide
- Download All
- Materials List
- Butcher paper/large flipchart paper
- Markers/colored pencils
- Sample of item chosen for innovation
- Lesson Themes
- The Innovation activity is most effective after discussing innovation and creative destruction.
- The Innovation activity is one you can do throughout the duration of the course as it encourages creativity and problem solving.
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Activity
Jones Soda Research & Development
The Jones Soda activity is a marketing activity that can be used to introduce the Marketing Mix to your students. It can also be used to dive deeper into marketing after having introduced the Marketing Mix. This activity can be used to show multiple different things and facilitate different discussions in the classroom.
- Lesson Resources
- Jones-Soda-Research-and-Development Activity Guide
- Jones-Soda-What-is-the-Flavor Handout
- Download All
- Materials List
- Unique flavors of Jones Soda. Thanksgiving/ Christmas packs must be purchased online from the website. Allow at least a week for the shipment to come in. Protip: One bottle can generally spread out into 25 samples in small Dixie cups.
- Dixie cups – enough for one per student per flavor
- “What’s the Flavor?” worksheets
- Lesson Themes
- You will only do this lesson one time.
- During Market Day or Business Model Canvas instruction, this activity can be used to discuss the importance of knowing your customer and how to entice them to buy your product.
- This lesson can be used to discuss Research and Development during your marketing instruction.
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Activity
Zip Code Lookup
Zip Code Lookup is a way for teachers to not only discuss what a market analysis is with students but also for students to conduct a brief market analysis of their own.
- Lesson Resources
- Zip-Code-Lookup Activity Guide
- Zip-Code-Lookup-Worksheet
- Zip Code Lookup PPT
- Download All
- Materials List
- Zip Code Lookup Worksheet
- Zip Code Lookup PowerPoint
- Computers/Laptops/Tablets for students to access the internet
- Lesson Themes
- This lesson should be done during the Marketing Unit.
- The teacher may also choose to discuss and conduct a market analysis during the Market Day project.
- Market analyses should take place while developing business models using the Business Model Canvas.
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Activity
Hershey's Market Research
This two-part activity is designed to familiarize your students with basic market research. The purpose of the activity is to give students an opportunity to, in Part 1, design a simple market research survey. In Part 2, your students will implement the results of the market research survey.
- Lesson Resources
- Hershey-s-Market-Research-Handout
- Hershey-s-Market-Research Activity Guide
- Download All
- Materials List
- Hershey’s Market Research handout
- Poster board/easel paper/ butcher paper/ large post-it paper
- Markers
- Lesson Themes
- To achieve the best results with this activity you should use it after having taught your students the basics of market research and the Marketing Mix.
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Activity
Garbology
Garbology is an activity that will give students an understanding of observational market research. It’s designed to test students’ assumptions and give them a fresh perspective on reaching their target audience.
- Videos
- 1. Intro
- 2. Set-up
- 3. Activity
- 4. Debrief
- Lesson Resources
- Garbology Activity Guide
- Download All
- Materials List
- Customer Profile worksheets
- Lesson Themes
- Garbology should be used during the Marketing Unit
- You can do Garbology more than once however if you repeat it you need to use different bags of trash.
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Activity
Lego COGS Activity
The Lego Cost of Goods Sold Activity provides students the opportunity to calculate the cost of goods sold for a prototype they designed. The activity also allows students to understand how those costs effect price and profit potential.
- Lesson Resources
- Lego COGS Activity Guide
- Lego COGS Activity Worksheet
- Download All
- Materials List
- Legos or similar type of building blocks
- Lego Cost of Goods Sold Worksheet
- Lesson Themes
- As a YE facilitator, this activity will offer you a chance to see how comfortable your students are with math computations.
- This knowledge can also help you decide how to proceed through the business finance content of the YE program.
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Activity
Going Bananas
This lesson will help your students understand how markets work by engaging them in an activity where the price of a product is determined by buyers and sellers voluntarily trading and cooperating with each other.
- Lesson Resources
- Going Bananas Activity Guide
- Buyer Cards
- Seller Cards
- Market Tally Sheet
- Student Transaction Sheet
- How to Play Going Bananas Handout
- Download All
- Materials List
- Student buyer and seller cards; 32 of each
- How to Play Going Bananas” Handout
- Student Transaction Sheet Handout - one per student
- Lesson Themes
- This activity will help students see how Market Day is a small market and they will recognize their role in that particular market.
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Activity
Ice Cream Sundae
The Ice Cream Sundae activity allows your students to continue to practice calculating COGS and Price and Profit. This activity will build upon that foundation by adding in labor costs.
- Lesson Resources
- Ice Cream Sundae Activity Guide
- Ice Cream Sundae Worksheet
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- Materials List
- Ice cream – one for each student to receive a minimum of one serving
- Chocolate syrup – enough for each student receive a minimum of one serving
- Cherries – enough for each student to receive a minimum of one serving
- Lesson Themes
- You can do the Ice Cream Sundae activity at any time during the Youth Entrepreneurs course.
- Students will need to have a basic understanding of Costs and Unit of Sale to be successful with this activity.
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Activity
Dirt and Worms
The Dirt and Worms activity allows your students to continue to practice calculating COGS. This activity will set the foundation needed for your students to develop an understanding of pricing and as well as funding.
- Videos
- 1. Intro
- 2. Set-up
- 3. Activity
- 4. Debrief
- Lesson Resources
- Dirt and Worms Activity Guide
- Dirt & Worms PPT
- Dirt and Worms COGS Worksheet
- Dirt and Worms Pricing & Profit Worksheet
- Download All
- Materials List
- Chocolate pudding cups – one for each student
- Oreo cookies – enough for each student to have 3 cookies
- Gummy worms – enough for each student to have 2 worms
- Lesson Themes
- You can do the Dirt and Worms activity at anytime during the Youth Entrepreneurs course.
- Students will need to have a basic understanding of Costs and Unit of Sale to be successful with this activity.
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Activity
Back of the Napkin
Hands on activities are crucial for learning in the Youth Entrepreneurs classroom. Most students learn values and concepts through experience better than through lecture. Back of the Napkin is an activity that you will be able to apply in many different scenarios in your classroom, and is designed to be a lasting tool for students in all their ventures, present and future. Watch these videos to learn why Back of the Napkin is a great tool and how to use it.
- Videos
- 1. Intro
- 2. Set-up
- 3. Activity
- 4. Debrief
- Lesson Resources
- Back of the Napkin Lesson Guide
- Download All
- Materials List
- Smartboard/Whiteboard/Chart Paper
- Dry Erase Marker/Marker
- Calculator
- Lesson Themes
- Back of the Napkin is a tool to help students when they are considering what to sell at Market Day.
- This activity can be used as an introduction to COGS.
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Activity
Market Day
Our experiential education model instills entrepreneurial and economic principles built for prosperity. YE transforms mindsets, empowering students to chase the opportunities that surround them. And one of the most transformational aspects of the YE experience is Market Day.
- Videos
- 1. What
- 2. Why
- 3. How
- 4. Debrief
- Lesson Resources
- Market Day Bid Expectations
- Market Day Bid Expectations Handout
- Market Day Cash Out Form
- Market Day Checklist Suggestions
- Food Handlers Safety Tips
- Market Day Individual Reflection
- Teachers Guide to Market Day
- Download All
- Lesson Themes
- Market Day combines a micro-loan program with a pop-up market.
- Students build and pitch a small business model to their teacher.
- Market Day is not just about students being successful and profitable. Students don’t have to get it perfect for this to be valuable; the most valuable learnings come from their failure or their false assumptions.
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Activity
Examples of Good Expense Reports
See examples of good expense reports in these resources. Need help with allocations? Open the Expense Allocation Guidance for examples and additional guidance.
- Lesson Resources
- Example Expense Reports
- Expense Allocation Guidance
- Download All
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Activity
Concur Solutions: Desktop Help
Need help with completing an expense report on your desktop? Check out these resources to help you complete an expense report, help you login to your Concur account, or update your personal information in Concur.
- Lesson Resources
- Concur Solutions Password Reset
- How to Update Your Personal Information
- Step by Step to Completing Expense Report
- Cheat Sheet to Completing Expense Report
- Download All
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Activity
Concur Solutions: App Help
There is a faster way to completing your expense reports! Use these resources to help you get started with setting up your Concur mobile app on your Smart phone (available on the App Store and Google Play).
- Lesson Resources
- Concur Mobile App PIN Setup
- How to Add an Allocation in the App
- Getting Started with Concur Mobile - iPhone
- Concur Mobile Attaching a Receipt - IOS
- Getting Started with Concur Mobile - Android
- Concur Mobile Attaching a Receipt- Android
- Download All
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Activity
Market Day Process
YE provides a way for educators to send and receive Market Day loans electronically, use these resources to know how. Also, open the YE Market Day Form with PayPal to see your Market Day payment flowchart and request your students’ loan.
- Lesson Resources
- YE Market Day Form with PayPal
- How to Pay Loan using PayPal.me Link
- How to Pay Loan using PayPal app
- PayPal How To Videos
- Download All
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Activity
Admin Forms
Help keep track of your classroom budget with the YE Classroom Funds Tracker, your classroom monthly incentives with the YE Incentive Form Tracker, and your expenses for reimbursement with the YE Reimbursement Form.
- Lesson Resources
- YE Classroom Funds Tracker
- YE Incentive Form Tracker
- YE Teacher Reimbursement Form
- Download All
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Activity
P-Card
Welcome to YE! We are here to help you have the resources you need to make your classroom successful. Read over your responsibilities related to having a P-card in your YE Teacher P-Card Training PowerPoint. Find your P-card application to help you set your P-card up. Find helpful tips to having your P-card in P-card Best Practices.
- Lesson Resources
- YE Teacher P-Card Application
- YE Teacher P-Card Training
- P-Card Best Practices
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