aidemia--modules-lessonplan_request	Titles of parts of the lesson must be formatted as headings
What to create	Lesson plan
Which subject	No subject
What topic	Create a Day 1 Core Block lesson for a multi-age group (grades K–5) using the theme “Business & Finance.” The mentor text is “Grand Opening: A Civic Square Story,” where AJ, Liam, Simay, and Onyx prepare their stores for opening day. Academic focus: Reading: Identifying the main idea from the story's opening scenes. Writing: Writing a complete sentence about your store. Grammar: Introducing declarative sentences. Math: Rounding prices to the nearest dollar. Include a short overview paragraph and an Objectives section with “I Can” statements that show what the student will do, how they’ll apply it, and why it matters. Include a Hook that connects the mentor story to all four subject areas.
What length (min)	90
What age group	Doesn't matter
Include homework
Include images descriptions
Any other preferences	A very detailed, structured breakdown for each subject area (Reading, Writing, Grammar, Math) that includes: A clear Teaching Point Start this section with: “We are learning to…” that explains why the skill is important, how it connects to the student's role as a business owner, and what strategy or thinking skill will be used to approach it, Thorough Teacher Modeling with examples and teacher talk, and Guided Practice using discussion, partner work, manipulatives, or prompts This section should be well-developed and provide sufficient instructional depth to guide a multi-age group., partner work, or manipulatives A detailed Independent Work section with differentiated tasks for: K–2, 3–5 students. A Reflection section that links the day’s academic work to student roles in running a business in Civic Square. Use natural teacher voice, embedded examples, and scaffolded instruction across all levels.

Day 1 Core Block Lesson Plan: Business & Finance Theme

Overview

In this Day 1 Core Block lesson, students in grades K–5 will explore the theme of Business & Finance through the mentor text “Grand Opening: A Civic Square Story.” The story introduces characters AJ, Liam, Simay, and Onyx as they prepare their stores for the grand opening day. Students will engage in activities across multiple subjects to understand the entrepreneurial spirit and the foundational skills necessary for running a business. By the end of this lesson, students will recognize the importance of identifying the main idea, writing clear sentences, utilizing correct grammar, and applying basic math skills, specifically rounding prices.

Objectives

• I Can Statements:
  • Reading: I can identify the main idea from the opening scenes of the story. This helps me understand what’s happening and what my role could be in creating a successful business.
  • Writing: I can write a complete sentence about my store, which is important for communicating ideas effectively to customers.
  • Grammar: I can recognize and write declarative sentences, which help me express facts related to my business clearly.
  • Math: I can round prices to the nearest dollar, which is essential for pricing items in a business.

Hook (10 minutes)

Begin the lesson by asking students, “What do you think is important when you are trying to sell something?” Encourage them to share ideas. Then, introduce the book “Grand Opening: A Civic Square Story” and explain how the characters prepare for their store openings. Connect each discussion point to the subjects by saying things like, “Just like AJ and Liam need to know the prices of their items (Math), they also need to tell people about their stores (Writing) and explain what they sell clearly (Reading and Grammar).”

Reading (20 minutes)

Teaching Point

• We are learning to identify the main idea from the story’s opening scenes. Understanding the main idea is crucial as it helps us focus on what we want to communicate in our own businesses.

Teacher Modeling

• Read aloud the first few pages of “Grand Opening.”
• Pause to discuss key details and ask students what they think the main idea is. For example: “What do you think is happening in this part of the story? Why are AJ and Liam excited?”

Guided Practice

• In pairs, have students discuss what they believe the main idea of the opening scenes is. Provide sentence stems, like “The main idea is… because…”.
• Invite pairs to share their thoughts with the class. Facilitate discussion to clarify any misconceptions.

Writing (20 minutes)

Teaching Point

• We are learning to write a complete sentence about our store. This is important because a clear sentence can help others understand what our business offers.

Teacher Modeling

• Show an example sentence related to a store: “My store sells colorful balloons.” Explain the components of a complete sentence (subject + verb + complete thought).

Guided Practice

• Ask students to think about what they want to sell in their store. Use a graphic organizer to help them structure their sentence.
• Pair students to share their sentences, making sure they listen for completeness.

Grammar (15 minutes)

Teaching Point

• We are learning to recognize and write declarative sentences. This skill is critical for effectively communicating information in our businesses.

Teacher Modeling

• Write examples of declarative sentences on the board, e.g., “My store has five shirts.” Discuss components of a declarative sentence and when it is used in a business context.

Guided Practice

• Provide students with sentence strips where they can practice forming declarative sentences about their stores. Encourage them to share and check each other’s sentences in pairs.

Math (15 minutes)

Teaching Point

• We are learning to round prices to the nearest dollar. Understanding how to price items correctly is essential for running a successful business.

Teacher Modeling

• Demonstrate rounding with examples such as $4.49 to $4 and $4.51 to $5 on the board. Explain the rules of rounding and why it matters for pricing.

Guided Practice

• Distribute a few price cards with decimal amounts and ask students to work in small groups to round them to the nearest dollar. Circulate to assist and clarify as needed.

Independent Work (10 minutes)

Differentiated Tasks

• For K–2 Students:

  • Draw a picture of their store and write one complete sentence about what they sell using a helpful template.

• For 3–5 Students:

  • Write a short paragraph about their store, including the main idea, and round five prices for products they’d offer.

Reflection (10 minutes)

Bring the class together and discuss how today’s lessons connect to the idea of running a business in Civic Square. Ask questions like, “How does knowing the main idea help you sell your products?” and “Why is it important to have a complete sentence when telling customers about your store?” Encourage students to reflect on their roles as business owners and how each subject area contributes to that role.

Closure

Wrap up the lesson with a reminder that effective communication, clear pricing, and engaging storytelling are all essential skills not only in business but in life!