| Full lesson | Create for a teacher a set of content for giving a lesson, beginning with the lesson plan. Each new block of materials must begin with an H1 heading (other subheaders must be H2, H3, etc). When you describe required pictures, write those descriptions in curly brackets, for example: {A picture of a triangle} |
| Which subject | English |
| What topic | Dragons den |
| What length (min) | 40 |
| What age group | Year or Grade 7 |
| Class size | 6 |
| What curriculum | English |
| Include full script | |
| Check previous homework | |
| Ask some students to presents their homework | |
| Add a physical break | |
| Add group activities | |
| Include homework | |
| Show correct answers | |
| Prepare slide templates | |
| Number of slides | 5 |
| Create fill-in cards for students | |
| Create creative backup tasks for unexpected moments |
Dragons' Den
Year 7
English
6 students
40 minutes
| Step Number | Step Title | Length | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Dragons' Den | 5 mins | Begin with a brief overview of what Dragons' Den is. Show a short video clip of a pitch to illustrate the concept. |
| 2 | Understanding Persuasive Language | 10 mins | Discuss the importance of persuasive language in pitches. Introduce key persuasive techniques (e.g., ethos, pathos, logos) with examples. |
| 3 | Group Formation & Brainstorming | 10 mins | Divide students into pairs. Assign them to create a product idea they would pitch. Encourage them to brainstorm and make notes on their ideas. |
| 4 | Preparing the Pitch | 10 mins | Have each pair draft a simple outline for their pitch, applying the persuasive techniques discussed earlier. Provide templates if necessary. |
| 5 | Practice & Feedback | 5 mins | Allow pairs to practice their pitches with each other. Circulate to provide feedback and support. |
| 6 | Conclusion & Next Steps | 5 mins | Wrap up by summarising key concepts learned. Explain that homework will involve refining their pitches for submission without presentations. |
Evaluate the pitches based on clarity, use of persuasive language, creativity, and overall structure using the provided rubric.
This lesson aligns with the National Curriculum for English by focusing on speaking, listening, and engagement in creative writing activities. The emphasis on persuasive language supports the development of key literacy skills.
"Good morning, everyone! Today, we are going to dive into something really exciting called 'Dragons' Den'. Has anyone heard of it before? [Pause for responses].
Dragons' Den is a TV show where entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to a panel of wealthy investors, who are often referred to as 'Dragons'. Let’s watch a short clip to see how these pitches work in action. [Play the video clip].
What did you think of the pitch in the video? What stood out to you? [Encourage brief discussion]. Great observations! Now, let’s explore what makes a pitch effective."
"Now, let's talk about something really important in creating a pitch: persuasive language. Persuasive language helps to convince someone to support your idea.
There are three key techniques we will focus on:
Ethos: This is about credibility. For example, you might mention your experience or expertise related to your product.
Pathos: This is about appealing to emotions. You want to connect with your audience’s feelings.
Logos: This is about logic and facts. You should provide evidence or data to support your claims.
Let’s look at some examples together. [Provide examples for each technique].
Can anyone think of a time when someone used persuasive language effectively? [Encourage sharing]. Fantastic! Remember these techniques as we move forward, as they'll be essential in your pitches."
"Now, I’m going to divide you into pairs. [Assign pairs]. Each pair will come up with a product idea that you would like to pitch to the Dragons. It could be anything—an innovative gadget, a new snack, or a service that solves a problem.
I want you to brainstorm your ideas and jot down notes for around 10 minutes. Think about why your product is special and how it meets a need. Ready? Go! [Give them time to brainstorm]."
"Alright, time's up! Now, it’s time to draft an outline for your pitch.
Your outline should include an introduction to your product, why it’s needed, and how it stands out from the competition. Remember to include elements of ethos, pathos, and logos, as we discussed.
If you need help, I have some templates here that you can use. [Distribute templates if necessary]. You will have about 10 minutes to put this together. Let's get started!"
"Now that you have your outlines, it’s time to practice your pitches. Pair up with your partner and take turns presenting your pitch to each other.
As you practice, listen carefully to each other and think about how you can improve. I will be walking around to provide feedback and support, so feel free to ask questions. You have about 5 minutes for this. Go ahead!"
"Great job, everyone! I hope you found the exercise helpful. Today, we learned about Dragons' Den and the importance of persuasive language in pitches.
As for next steps, your homework is to refine the pitch you started today. Make sure to include the persuasive techniques we talked about. You will need to submit a written version of your pitch in our next lesson.
Thank you for all your hard work today! I’m looking forward to seeing the final pitches next time!"
| Slide Number | Image | Slide Content |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | {Image: A logo of Dragons' Den} | - Introduction to 'Dragons' Den' |
| - TV show where entrepreneurs pitch ideas to wealthy investors (the 'Dragons') | ||
| - Brief clip illustrating real pitch examples | ||
| - Open discussion about the pitch observed | ||
| 2 | {Image: Graphic depicting persuasive techniques} | - Understanding Persuasive Language |
| - Importance of persuasive language in pitches | ||
| - Key techniques: | ||
| - Ethos: Building credibility | ||
| - Pathos: Connecting with emotions | ||
| - Logos: Using logic and facts | ||
| - Examples of each technique | ||
| - Encourage sharing experiences of effective persuasion | ||
| 3 | {Image: Illustrative image of brainstorming} | - Group Formation & Brainstorming |
| - Divide into pairs for product idea brainstorming | ||
| - Ideas could include innovative gadgets, snacks, or services | ||
| - Encourage noting special features and needs that the product meets | ||
| - 10-minute brainstorming session | ||
| 4 | {Image: Template for pitch outline} | - Preparing the Pitch |
| - Drafting an outline for your pitch | ||
| - Outline should include: | ||
| - Introduction to the product | ||
| - Reasons why it’s needed | ||
| - Unique aspects of the product | ||
| - Incorporate ethos, pathos, and logos | ||
| 5 | {Image: Students practicing presentations} | - Practice & Feedback |
| - Pair up to present pitches to each other | ||
| - Listen and provide constructive feedback | ||
| - Teacher available for support and clarification | ||
| - 5-minute practice session | ||
| 6 | {Image: A checklist for next steps} | - Conclusion & Next Steps |
| - Recap of what was learned about 'Dragons' Den' | ||
| - Homework: Refine pitches using persuasive techniques discussed | ||
| - Submission of written pitch in the next lesson | ||
| - Thank you and anticipation for final pitches in future sessions |
How do you think using ethos, pathos, and logos can influence a potential investor's decision during a pitch?
Can you describe a product that you think is marketed well? What persuasive techniques do you think were used in its advertising?
If you had to sell a product that you believe is not very exciting, what strategies would you use to make it more appealing to the Dragons?
Think of a situation where someone successfully persuaded you to change your mind about something. What persuasive language did they use?
What qualities do you think make an entrepreneur stand out in a pitch? How can those qualities be represented through persuasive language?