aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type	Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson
Which subject	No subject
What age group	Doesn't matter
What topic	Week 1: Business & Finance W1.D1 Core Block Lesson Prompt Create a Day 1 Core Block lesson for a multi-age homeschool group (grades K–5) using the weekly theme “Business & Finance.” The mentor text is “Civic Square: The Grand Opening,” where AJ, Liam, Simay, and Onyx open shops in their city. Today’s lesson should focus on identifying the main idea from the first part of the story, writing one complete sentence, introducing declarative sentences, and rounding prices to the nearest dollar. Include a student-friendly “I Can” statement, a short mini-lesson for each subject (Reading, Writing, Grammar, Math), teacher modeling, guided practice, independent tasks for K–2 and 3–5, and a final reflection prompt about running a business. Format the lesson using: Hook, Teaching Point, Modeling, Guided Practice, Independent Work, Reflection.
Quantity	1
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Week 1: Business & Finance - Day 1 Core Block Lesson

Hook

Setting the Scene for Young Entrepreneurs
Gather the group in a circle and place a large box at the center labeled "Business Ideas Box." Ask everyone to imagine they are opening their own shop. Encourage each child to quickly brainstorm a business idea in their minds—what would they sell? Use props like play money, toy items, or pictures of different shops (grocery, toy, bakery) to visually stimulate their thoughts. After a minute, share excitement about each idea and say, “Today, we will meet some friends who opened their own shops in a story called Civic Square: The Grand Opening!”

Teaching Point

Learning Objectives

• I Can Statement: "I can identify the main idea of the story, write a complete sentence, understand declarative sentences, and round prices to the nearest dollar."

Mini-Lessons

1. Reading

Focus: Identifying the Main Idea

• Discuss the elements of a story (characters, setting, plot).
• Read the first few pages of Civic Square: The Grand Opening aloud.
• Ask students to think about what the main idea of the story could be.

2. Writing

Focus: Writing Complete Sentences

• Explain what a complete sentence is (subject + verb + complete thought).
• Model writing a sentence, e.g., "AJ opened a toy shop."
• Invite students to write their own sentence about what their shop would sell.

3. Grammar

Focus: Declarative Sentences

• Briefly explain declarative sentences as statements that provide information.
• Model a few examples: "Liam sells cookies" and "Onyx's shop is colorful."
• Highlight the importance of punctuation (periods at the end of each sentence).

4. Math

Focus: Rounding Prices

• Explain rounding to the nearest dollar using a number line.
• Model rounding a few example prices such as $2.49 to $2 and $4.75 to $5.
• Show how rounding helps in estimating costs effectively.

Modeling

Interactive Group Activity
With the class together, read the first section of the book again, emphasizing stopping points for students to share what they think the main idea is. Write their ideas on the board, then together choose one to frame as a clear main idea sentence. Next, model transforming one student's idea into a complete declarative sentence: for example, “The friends opened their shops in Civic Square.”

Guided Practice

Group Cooperation

• In pairs, have students look at illustrations from the book depicting prices of goods and practice rounding those prices to the nearest dollar.
• Together, ask each pair to write one complete declarative sentence based on what they have learned about their chosen characters.

Independent Work

For Grades K-2:

• Draw a picture of their shop, write a complete sentence about what they sell, and round a chosen price for an item in their store.

For Grades 3-5:

• Write a short paragraph identifying the main idea of the first part of Civic Square: The Grand Opening, and include:
  • Two complete declarative sentences.
  • At least three rounded prices of items they would sell in their shops.

Reflection

Wrap-Up Discussion
At the end of the lesson, gather students to reflect on the following prompt:

• "If you could run any business, what would it be, and why? What is one thing you think is important to remember when starting a business?"
  Encourage sharing and discussion in small groups, fostering creativity and application of learned concepts.

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This lesson plan is designed to engage multi-age learners, fostering a fun and interactive environment while teaching foundational concepts in business and finance.