Lesson Topic:

Researching a Nebraska Entrepreneur Assignment and Presentation

Lesson Description:

The student will have the opportunity to chose an entrepreneur from Nebraska that has a business they can describe to the class. Prepare a slide presentation explaining the details about the business, the entrepreneur and the path to success for this individual.

Learning Goals/Outcomes:

The students will examine different ways of becoming an entrepreneur and the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods.

Nebraska Standards:

BMM.HS.3.28.e

Teacher Planning:

Equipment/Materials/Software Needed:

Computers for the student.

Time Required for Lesson:

The students will need to interview the entrepreneur on their own time.

One class time for research on the entrepreneur and preparing questions for the interview.

A second and possibly a third class period to present the slide shows to the class about the entrepreneur.

Diagram/Setup:

NA

Technology Use:

Software:

I would recommend PowerPoint or Google Slides

Hardware:

Computer and overhead projector

Instructional Plan:

Anticipatory Set/Pre-Activity:

Teach about:

 Entrepreneurship, 

Types of business: sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation.

Ways of starting a business: start the business from scratch, buy an existing business, purchase a franchise, or take over a family business

Pros and cons of business ownership

Benefits/Explanation/Real-World Connection:

Students will be able to determine if entrepreneurship is a good fit for them for a future career.

Activities (i.e. instructions, warm-up, lesson, cool-down):

Researching a Nebraska Entrepreneur Assignment:

Due: ________________________________________________

Please tell your teacher which entrepreneur you picked to report on.

Study an Entrepreneur of your choice. Some suggestions would include:

If possible, interview a business owner in your neighborhood. Otherwise, read up on an entrepreneur in newspapers, magazines, or on the Internet.

Examples: Warren Buffett, David Sokol, Walter Scott, Peter Kiewit, Willy Theisen (God Fathers), Sally Everett and Alex Brening (Runza), Harold W. Holmes and John Turner (Taco John’s), Sapp Brothers, Bosselman’s, Anderson family – Western Land Roller, Thom family – T & L Irrigation Company, Osborne family – Industrial Irrigation Company, Bob Allen – Allen’s Department Store, Dutton-Lainson/Lainson-Olson family, Pinnacle Bank – Dinsdale Family, Patrick and MaryJo Randolf – OK Café, many other businesses in Hastings, Governor Pete Ricketts, Butler-Volland Funeral Home/Butler Family, Larry the Cable Guy

 Objective:

Examine different ways of becoming an entrepreneur and the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods.

 Activity:

Lots of businesses in your neighborhood are operated by entrepreneurs – from the flower shop to your local McDonald’s – but those entrepreneurs did not all take the same path to owning their own businesses. Some started their businesses from scratch, while others purchased a business from someone else or took over a family business. Still others purchased a franchise.

Identify a successful entrepreneur and find out everything you can about the path he or she took to success. If possible, interview a business owner in your neighborhood. Otherwise, read up on an entrepreneur in newspapers, magazines, or on the Internet. Answer the following questions:

*Did this person start the business from scratch, buy an existing business, purchase a franchise, or take over a family business?

*How is the business organized: sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation? Why did the entrepreneur choose that form of organization?

*What is the entrepreneur’s background, their education and what does this person feel best prepared him or her for owning a business?

*What does the entrepreneur feel are the best and worst things about owning a business?

Now, develop a slide presentation that describes the entrepreneur’s path to success. Prepare one slide for each of the following topics: Title; entrepreneur’s name; entrepreneurs’ education’ career path; type of business organization; pros of entrepreneurship; cons of entrepreneurship; and keys to success. Be sure to include clip art or other art and graphics when appropriate to illustrate your point. Take or find pictures of your entrepreneur and pictures of the business (ask permission before taking the pictures).

 Please answer these questions in your presentation also:

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of buying an existing business versus starting your own?

2. How does the organization of a business affect the business’s future?

3. Why is it important for potential entrepreneurs to understand the background and experience of other entrepreneurs? 

Closure:

NA

Assessment :

Nebraska Entrepreneur Rubric for Class Presentation:

Please see attached rubric for this assignment.

Supplemental Information:

Modifications:

As needed

Safety Precautions:

NA

Comments (adaptations for various grades/ages, teaching styles, etc.)

Adapt as needed.

Resources:

 Researching a Nebraska Entrepreneur Project by Gwen Davidson of Hastings Public Schools | CC BY NC SA