In this English Language Arts (ELA) unit plan, students work in groups to create a small business idea. Throughout the unit, students develop a small business idea, interview small business owners in the community, strengthen their business plan based on ideas they gleaned from their interviews, and finally, pitch their ideas - using persuasive language and advertisements - to business owners in their community.

Creating a Small Business Plan

Creating a Small Business Plan

In this English Language Arts (ELA) unit plan, students work in groups to create a small business idea. Throughout the unit, students develop a small business idea, interview small business owners in the community, strengthen their business plan based on ideas they gleaned from their interviews, and finally, pitch their ideas - using persuasive language and advertisements - to business owners in their community.

English Arts

ELAGSE8L1

Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

ELAGSE8L3.a

Use verbs in the active and passive voice and in the conditional and subjunctive mood to achieve particular effects (e.g., emphasizing the actor or the action; expressing uncertainty or describing a state contrary to fact).

ELAGSE8SL1

Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 8 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.

ELAGSE8SL2

Analyze the purpose of information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and evaluate the motives (e.g., social, commercial, political) behind its presentation.

ELAGSE8SL3

Delineate a speaker's argument and specific claims, evaluating the soundness of the reasoning and relevance and sufficiency of the evidence and identifying when irrelevant evidence is introduced.

ELAGSE8SL4

Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with relevant evidence, sound valid reasoning, and well-chosen details; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.

ELAGSE8SL5

Integrate multimedia and visual displays into presentations to clarify information, strengthen claims and evidence, and add interest.

ELAGSE8SL6

Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate. (See grade 8 Language Standards 1 and 3 for specific expectations.)

ELAGSE8W1

Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.

ELAGSE8W7

Conduct short research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question), drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of exploration.

  • About the Teacher

    Lindsay Bowley

    Creekland Middle School
    Cherokee County Schools

    Lindsay Bowley is currently an Academic Facilitator at Teasley Middle School in Cherokee County, Georgia. When she entered this profession, she wanted to make a difference in students’ lives. In her new role as Academic Facilitator, she keeps reminders of the impact she had on her students. One of those reminders is a note posted right next to her computer that says, “To Ms. Bowley. Love you. No one has ever tried to see who I was. They only saw my cover.” Her best piece of teaching advice is to stay out of the proverbial "teacher's lounge,” and don't participate in griping or complaining. She was the 2013-2014 Cherokee County Teacher of the Year. Ms. Bowley holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Middle Grades Education from Kennesaw State University. She has a Masters of Arts in Middle Grades Language Arts from Piedmont College.