what it requires To be a good citizen.

Moral Character – A self-governing people must first govern themselves. This means adhering to virtue—honesty, responsibility, and courage.

Intellectual Curiosity – Education is not just about job training; it is about forming the mind to pursue truth. A good citizen seeks knowledge, understands history, and can think critically about the world.

Self-Reliance and Industry – Freedom is not merely a right; it is a responsibility. Free people must be capable of providing for themselves, working hard, and contributing to the well-being of their communities.

Commitment to Truth – In an age of relativism, it is more important than ever to stand firm in truth. A good citizen understands that truth exists, can be known, and must be defended against corruption and falsehood.

Patriotism – True love of country is not blind allegiance but a deep understanding of and commitment to its founding principles. It means respecting the Constitution, valuing the sacrifices of those who came before us, and striving to preserve what is good and just.

Why K-3 Matters?

The early years of education are a critical time for fostering curiosity, creativity, and Compassion.

Patriotism for Young Learners

  • Teaching children about fairness, kindness, and doing what’s right helps them understand the core values that make a country strong.

  • Simple stories about historical figures, community helpers, and even family members who have made sacrifices help kids see the importance of working together for the greater good.

  • By encouraging honesty, respect, and responsibility in daily life, parents can show children that being a good citizen starts with small actions—like being kind to a friend, helping a neighbor, or taking care of the environment.

  • through storytelling, community involvement, and hands-on learning, showing children that loving their country means understanding its values and working to make it even better for everyone. 🇺🇸✨

Moral Character in Young Learners

  • Encourage truthfulness by praising honesty, even when it’s hard. Simple phrases like, “Telling the truth helps people trust you,” make a big impact.

  • Give children small, age-appropriate tasks—like putting away toys or feeding a pet—to help them understand accountability.

  • Whether it’s standing up for a friend, trying something new, or admitting a mistake, bravery comes in many forms. Teach kids that courage means doing the right thing, even when it’s difficult.

  • depends on people who choose to do what is right—not because they are forced to, but because they understand and believe in the value of good character. By nurturing these traits in young children, parents lay the groundwork for a future generation that acts with integrity, kindness, and strength. 🌟

Teaching Self-Reliance & Hard Work

  • Building Independence: Simple tasks like tying shoes, making their bed, or pouring their own cereal teach kids that they are capable and responsible for themselves. Letting them try (even if they struggle at first) builds confidence and resilience.

  • Introduce age-appropriate chores, like setting the table or helping wash the car. When kids see their efforts making a difference, they take pride in their work. Use phrases like, “Hard work helps us grow and makes life better for everyone.”

  • Contributing to the Community: Show children how their actions impact others—whether it’s sharing with a sibling, helping a neighbor, or participating in a lemonade stand or car wash. These early lessons in teamwork and responsibility lay the foundation for future success.

  • it’s about having the ability to take care of oneself and contribute to the world. By teaching self-reliance and industry early, we empower our children to become confident, capable individuals who take responsibility for their own future. 🌱💪

Qualities of a Business owner

Personal Mindset

  • Bounces back after mistakes or disappointments.

  • Keeps working toward a goal, even when it’s hard.

  • Comes up with imaginative and fun solutions.

  • Tries different ways to fix or figure out a challenge.

  • Practices honesty and stands by what’s right.

  • Takes responsibility for actions and tries to make things right when mistakes happen.

  • Loves asking questions and discovering how things work.

  • Focuses on what can be done rather than what can’t.

  • Keeps going, even when something feels tough or takes a few tries.

  • Believes in their ability to do tasks and learn new things.

People & Communication Skills

  • Learns to see things from others’ perspectives and shows genuine concern for friends’ feelings.

  • Practices giving full attention to the person speaking, asking questions, and offering thoughtful responses.

  • Enjoys working in groups, sharing ideas, and collaborating to reach common goals.

  • Treats classmates and adults with kindness, patience, and good manners.

  • Uses words to discuss problems, seeks fair solutions, and aims to maintain friendships during disagreements.

  • Shows generosity and compassion in everyday interactions, helping create a positive environment.

  • Learns to guide others by setting a good example, offering help, and encouraging peers.

  • Recognizes their own feelings and understands how to respond appropriately to others’ emotions.

  • Enjoys group activities that highlight everyone’s strengths and fosters a sense of unity.

  • Motivates friends and classmates by offering supportive words and celebrating small successes together.

Problem-Solving Skills

  • Encourages asking “why” and exploring how things work to foster a love for learning.

  • Inspires children to come up with imaginative solutions to everyday problems.

  • Teaches kids to take the first step in solving a challenge instead of waiting for help.

  • Helps children practice step-by-step thinking to understand patterns and find solutions.

  • Encourages paying attention to details and noticing things that others might miss.

  • Guides students to make thoughtful choices and understand the outcomes of their decisions.

  • Shows kids how to use what they have to solve problems creatively and efficiently.

  • Teaches children to break problems into smaller pieces to make them easier to solve.

  • Encourages trying different approaches and being open to new ways of solving challenges.

  • Helps children stay focused on finding a solution, even when a problem seems tricky.

Overall Guiding Principles

Developmental Appropriateness

K-3 learners thrive on short, focused instructional segments combined with hands-on activities. Research suggests that younger students benefit most from 15–20 minute blocks of direct instruction, followed by active practice or collaborative projects.

Entrepreneurial Concepts

Whenever possible, connect core subjects to real-life scenarios: running a pretend store, designing a simple product, or role-playing as a service provider. This context helps solidify academic skills in a meaningful way.

Hands-on learning experiences designed to spark creativity & build confidence.

It Takes a Village: Help Us Grow Together.

At Ashlyn’s Business Works, we know that no one is perfect—and that’s what makes us stronger. We believe in constant growth, learning, and collaboration, just like the children we guide. Your feedback helps us improve and create a better experience for every teammate. If you see a way we can grow, we want to hear from you. Simply click the button below and submit your thoughts through our feedback form. Together, we can make this journey even better for everyone involved.

  • At Ashlyn’s BW, we make learning business skills fun! From running a pretend store to creating their own lemonade stands, our students learn through hands-on activities.

  • Through play! Kids use pretend money in activities like shopping at the classroom store or running a lemonade stand, learning about counting, spending, and saving without even realizing it!

  • We encourage imagination! Students come up with their own business ideas, like selling crafts or art, and then get to "sell" their products to friends and family.

  • We read fun stories about things like lemonade stands and recycling projects to introduce the idea of BIG businesses, helping students understand entrepreneurship in a way they can relate to.

Exploration & Curiosity
(First 3 months)

  • This phase encourages teammates to explore their natural curiosity and begin understanding the basics of how things work. The focus is on introducing them to broad concepts, both academically and entrepreneurially.

  • Math: Introduction to counting, basic addition/subtraction (business focus: how numbers relate to money).

    Language Arts: Basic reading/writing skills (e.g., reading instructions, writing simple ideas).

    Science: Observing and exploring the natural world (how products work).

    Business Concepts: Introduce the idea of products/services, “What does a business do?”

  • Create a Simple Product: Teammates come up with a small “product” (e.g., a drawing or craft) and learn how to explain its value.

    Market Stand: Set up a mini marketplace where they "sell" items (pretend currency).

Problem Solving & Teamwork (Months 4-6)

  • This phase focuses on collaborative activities and learning to solve problems together, fostering a team-oriented entrepreneurial spirit.

  • Math: Expanding into counting money, making change.

    Language Arts: Writing simple product descriptions or customer experiences.

    Science: Experimentation and testing (business idea: “How do I make this better?”).

    Business Concepts: Understand teamwork, roles in a business (introduce different roles like CEO, marketer, etc.).

  • Create a Simple Product: Teammates come up with a small “product” (e.g., a drawing or craft) and learn how to explain its value.

    Market Stand: Set up a mini marketplace where they "sell" items (pretend currency).

Planning & Execution (Months 7-9)

  • Now teammates will begin learning about setting goals and making plans. This phase focuses on connecting long-term thinking with execution.

  • Math: Simple budgeting (learning how to save and plan).

    Language Arts: Writing simple product plans or instructions.

    Science: Exploring “cause and effect” (testing hypotheses and understanding results).

    Business Concepts: Introduction to business planning (what’s needed to make a product).

  • Mini Business Plan: Each teammate creates a basic plan for their product, including materials needed and steps to make it.

    Production Day: Team-based “production line” where teammates make their own product as a group and see the results.

Presentation & Reflection (Months 10-12)

  • The final phase will have teammates present their ideas and reflect on what they’ve learned. It reinforces confidence, communication, and evaluating results.

  • Math: Keeping track of expenses, understanding profit (on a basic level).

    Language Arts: Presenting and explaining their products to others (public speaking for young children).

    Science: Reflecting on what worked or didn’t (evaluating their “experiments”).

    Business Concepts: Discuss what went well and what can be improved, introducing the concept of growth.

  • Mini Business Plan: Each teammate creates a basic plan for their product, including materials needed and steps to make it.

    Production Day: Team-based “production line” where teammates make their own product as a group and see the results.

Team Building and Exploration

Day 1 at Ashlyn’s BW sets the stage for an exciting and productive week!

Arrival/Morning

  • Quiet Zone:
    Early arrivers are welcomed into a calm, cozy space with beanbags and soft lighting. Your child can choose from relaxing activities like puzzles, coloring, or reading to ease into the morning. For those feeling tired, rest time is always an option.

    Breakfast:
    We provide simple, healthy options like cereal, fruit, and milk to start the day right. During breakfast, we encourage social skills like saying “please” and “thank you” and foster friendly conversations around the table.

    Tinkering Station:
    Hands-on building materials like blocks and magnetic tiles spark creativity. Teachers engage children with questions like, “What can you create today?” to inspire curiosity and exploration.

    Freedom to Choose:
    Teammates can decide how they spend this time. Whether they eat, play, or rest. Teachers circulate to greet each child and connect with them about their morning activities or creations.

  • Greeting & Community Building:
    We begin the day in a welcoming circle, greeting each child by name to help them feel seen and valued.

    Exploration & Curiosity Theme:
    We introduce the day’s theme with a fun story about a child who turned a creative idea into a simple business, like a lemonade stand. This sets the tone for hands-on learning and sparks your child’s imagination.

  • Mini Lesson:
    Your child will explore an age-appropriate reading concept, such as short vowel sounds for younger students or comprehension skills for older ones.

    Engaging Read-Aloud:
    We read a short, lively story about making or sharing something special, pausing to introduce new words like “product” or “customer.” This builds vocabulary while keeping your child engaged.

  • Movement & Fun:
    We incorporate a quick activity like “Simon Says” or stretching to refresh minds and bodies. These playful moments help your child stay focused and energized.

  • Creative Expression:
    A short lesson introduces a writing skill, such as forming sentences or organizing ideas for older children.

    Hands-On Activity:
    Your child will draw or write about something they love to create. A fun prompt like, “If you could make anything to share or sell, what would it be?” encourages imagination and creative thinking.

    Sharing & Celebration:
    Students have the chance to share their work with the group, boosting confidence and fostering a supportive environment.

  • Mini Lesson:
    Math concepts come alive as we connect them to real-world situations. Younger kids practice counting and basic addition, while older students explore the idea of cost using pretend coins.

    Hands-On Practice:
    Fun challenges like, “If your product costs 2 coins and your friend has 5 coins, how many can they buy?” help children build problem-solving skills.

Lunch & Transition

  • Introduction & Brainstorming:
    Children explore examples of simple crafts like bookmarks or decorated pencils. We encourage them to brainstorm what makes their creations special and why someone might want to “buy” them.

    Crafting Time:
    Using materials like paper, crayons, and stickers, your child will begin designing their unique product, combining creativity with hands-on fun.

  • Relaxed Social Time:
    Lunch is a chance for kids to refuel and connect with friends. Guides encourage casual conversations about their creations and ideas for improvement.

  • Active Exploration:
    Outdoor play lets your child burn off energy, enjoy fresh air, and work on social skills through cooperative games. Indoor movement activities are available on rainy days.

Afternoon/Aftercare

  • Finishing Touches:
    Students finalize their creations, adding personal touches that make their products unique.

    Pitch Practice:
    Each child practices explaining their creation, sharing what makes it special. This builds communication skills and confidence.

  • Hands-On Role Play:
    Children set up a pretend market, pricing their items and practicing greetings like, “Hi! Would you like to buy my bookmark?” Using play money, they take turns being buyers and sellers.

    Real-Life Skills:
    This activity teaches social interaction, responsibility, and the basics of decision-making.

  • Celebrating Achievements:
    During group reflection, students share what they enjoyed most and discuss what they learned about creating and sharing. Guides encourage pride in their accomplishments while teaching responsibility by involving kids in cleanup.

  • Smooth Transition:
    Guides help children gather belongings and prepare for aftercare, ensuring a calm end to the structured part of the day.

  • Snack & Wind-Down (3:00 – 3:30 PM):
    A healthy snack helps kids recharge while they chat quietly or rest in a calm environment.

    Free Exploration (3:30 – 5:00 PM):
    Children choose between art, building projects, STEM challenges, or outdoor play, giving them freedom to explore their interests.

    Reflection & Pick-Up (5:00 – 6:30 PM):
    Students share highlights of their day, then help clean up and organize materials. When parents arrive, they get a glimpse of what their child created or learned that day.

Why This Day Matters:
Day 1 at Ashlyn’s BW is all about building connections, sparking creativity, and developing real-world skills.

Exploring needs and wants

Day 2 builds on the excitement of creating and selling by introducing children to the concepts of "needs" and "wants."

Arrival/Morning

  • Quiet Zone:
    Early arrivers are welcomed into a peaceful space with beanbags, books, and puzzles. Children can choose to rest or engage in calm, self-directed play, creating a relaxed start to the day.

    Healthy Breakfast:
    A simple breakfast of cereal, fruit, and milk is served, with an emphasis on fostering positive table manners and friendly conversations.

    Tinkering Station:
    Hands-on materials like magnetic tiles and blocks are available for creative play. Teachers ask curiosity-sparking questions like, “What can you build today that might be useful for someone?”

    Freedom to Choose:
    Whether they prefer to eat, rest, or play quietly, children are encouraged to make their own choices. Teachers greet families warmly and connect with students about their morning activities.

  • Greeting & Recap:
    Students gather in a circle to reflect on yesterday’s market stand activity. Teachers encourage sharing by asking, “Who remembers what they made? How did it feel to ‘sell’ your product?”

    Introducing Needs vs. Wants:
    The day’s theme explores why people buy certain things. Teachers explain the difference between “needs” (things we must have, like food or clothes) and “wants” (things we enjoy but don’t need, like toys).

  • Mini Lesson:
    Teachers introduce an age-appropriate literacy concept, like identifying sounds or finding the main idea in a story.

    Read-Aloud:
    A short story about characters trading or buying items keeps students engaged. Teachers highlight words like “needs,” “wants,” and “trade” to reinforce vocabulary.

  • Movement Activity:
    A quick game like “Freeze Dance” or simple yoga poses helps students recharge, improving focus for the next activity.

  • Creative Writing Prompt:
    Children are asked to write or draw something they need and something they want. Younger students can illustrate their ideas, while older children add sentences explaining their choices.

    Sharing:
    A few students share their work with the group, and teachers celebrate their creativity with encouraging feedback like, “What a thoughtful idea!”

  • Money Math Concepts:
    Teachers use play money to introduce math concepts. For younger children, it might be counting by 5s, while older kids explore basic addition and subtraction with pretend purchases.

    Hands-On Practice:
    Students solve simple word problems, like, “If you have 5 coins and spend 2 coins on a snack (need) and 2 coins on a toy (want), how many coins do you have left?”

  • Needs vs. Wants in Action:
    Students examine their Day 1 creations, answering the question: “Is your product something people need or something people want?”

    Improving Their Creations:
    Children brainstorm small changes, like adding a new color or feature, to make their products more appealing. Teachers guide them to think about how those changes might affect “buyers.”

Lunch & Transition

  • Relaxed Lunchtime:
    Lunch is served in a calm, social setting. Teachers encourage informal conversations about what students learned so far, like, “What’s another example of a need or a want?”

  • Fun & Teamwork:
    Children enjoy free play outdoors or participate in group games. Teachers encourage teamwork and exploration, fostering both physical activity and social bonding.

Afternoon/Aftercare

  • Introduction to Market Research:
    Teachers explain market research in simple terms: “Figuring out what people like or need.”

    Interactive Survey Activity:
    In small groups, children ask each other questions like, “Would you use this at home or for fun?” They tally answers or create simple bar graphs to visualize their results.

    Entrepreneurial Thinking:
    Students reflect on their findings and decide if they want to change their product’s price or design to better meet the needs of their “customers.”

  • Reflecting on Changes:
    Teachers prompt discussions with questions like, “Which changes made your product more of a ‘need’ or a ‘want’?” and “What did you learn about making your product more useful or enjoyable?”

    Cleanup:
    Children help organize materials and tidy their workspace, reinforcing responsibility and teamwork.

  • Preparing for Aftercare:
    Guides assist children in gathering their belongings and taking restroom breaks, ensuring a smooth transition to the next part of the day.

  • Snack & Wind-Down (3:00 – 3:30 PM):
    Students enjoy a healthy snack while relaxing with quiet music, chatting, or listening to a story.

    Free Exploration (3:30 – 5:00 PM):
    Kids choose from activities like designing new products, experimenting with STEM challenges, or engaging in outdoor play if weather permits.

    Reflection & Pick-Up (5:00 – 6:30 PM):
    Children share highlights of the day, and parents can see what they’ve created or learned. Teachers celebrate their successes and encourage positive reflections.

Why This Day Matters:
Day 2 helps your child understand the value of their creations while exploring real-world concepts like needs, wants, and customer preferences.

basic advertising and marketing language

Day 3: Students learn how to share the value of their creations with others, develop important communication skills, and explore how advertising connects to everyday life.

Arrival/Morning

  • Quiet Zone:
    Early arrivals are welcomed into a cozy, peaceful space with beanbags, books, and puzzles. Children can choose to relax, read, or engage in gentle, self-directed play.

    Healthy Breakfast:
    We provide a light, nutritious breakfast featuring fruit, cereal, and milk. During this time, we encourage positive social interactions and simple table manners, such as saying “please” and “thank you.”

    Tinkering Station:
    Hands-on materials like Lego blocks and magnetic tiles are set out for children to spark creativity. Teachers may ask, “Did you think of any new ideas for your product last night?” to gently encourage curiosity.

    Freedom to Choose:
    Children can decide how to spend their morning—whether eating, playing, or resting. Teachers greet each family and engage children in warm conversations to start the day.

  • Greeting & Recap:
    We gather in a circle to revisit Day 2, asking, “Who remembers discussing needs and wants? Did you change your product to make it more useful or fun?”

    New Concept: Advertising & Showcasing:
    Teachers introduce the idea of “advertising” as a way to tell people why they should want or need your product. Through simple language, we explain that advertising helps share what makes something special.

  • Mini Lesson:
    Age-appropriate literacy skills are introduced, such as recognizing sight words for younger students or identifying persuasive language for older ones.

    Engaging Read-Aloud:
    We read a short story about a character who advertises something—such as a lemonade stand or a yard sale. Words like “amazing,” “special,” and “exciting” are highlighted to show how persuasive words can make a product stand out.

  • Movement & Fun:
    A quick activity, like a silly song, “Freeze Dance,” or yoga stretches, helps re-energize students and prepare them for the next lesson.

  • Persuasive Language Mini Lesson:
    We teach children simple persuasive phrases like “Buy this!” or “It’s so fun!” (younger students) and “This is the best choice because…” (older students).

    Activity:
    Students write or dictate a short advertisement for their product. Younger children might write 1–2 words and draw a picture, while older students write sentences explaining why someone should want their creation.

    Sharing:
    A few children share their ads with the group. Teachers celebrate creativity with encouraging comments like, “That’s such a great idea!”

  • Mini Lesson:
    Using play money, we review simple math concepts like counting, addition, and subtraction. Older students are introduced to the idea of “profit” in basic terms: “If it costs 1 coin to make your product, and you sell it for 2 coins, you make 1 coin profit!”

    Hands-On Practice:
    Students role-play small transactions in pairs or groups, using pretend shops to practice pricing and making change.

Lunch & Transition

  • Guiding Question:
    “How will people know about your product? What words or pictures will you use to show how special it is?”

    Creative Activity:
    Children use markers, crayons, stickers, and large paper to create mini-posters advertising their product. Teachers encourage bold visuals and simple phrases, like “Get Your Paper Flowers Here!”

  • Fun Conversations:
    Lunchtime includes informal discussions about real-world advertising. Teachers may ask, “What’s your favorite commercial? Do you think ads always tell the truth?”

  • Active Play:
    Children enjoy free outdoor play or indoor activities (if weather doesn’t permit). Teachers encourage teamwork and inclusion during games.

Afternoon/Aftercare

  • Market Stand Practice:
    Students set up their products alongside the posters they created earlier.

    Role-Playing Sellers & Buyers:
    In pairs, children practice “selling” their products by explaining what makes them special and answering buyer questions like “How much is it?”

    Teacher Guidance:
    Teachers provide gentle feedback, encouraging polite interactions and enthusiasm.

  • Reflecting on Advertising:
    Teachers prompt discussions with questions like, “What did you like about making your advertisement?” and “How did it help people understand your product better?”

    Cleanup:
    Children help organize materials and store their posters for future lessons, practicing responsibility.

  • Smooth Transition:
    Guides help children gather belongings, take restroom breaks, and prepare for aftercare.

  • Snack & Wind-Down (3:00 – 3:30 PM):
    A healthy snack is served in a calm, quiet atmosphere. Children can chat, relax, or enjoy a short story.

    Free Exploration (3:30 – 5:00 PM):
    Children have the freedom to refine their products or advertisements, explore the Maker Space, or participate in STEM challenges. Outdoor play is encouraged, weather permitting.

    Reflection & Pick-Up (5:00 – 6:30 PM):
    During group reflection, children can share their posters or discuss what they learned about advertising. Families are welcomed with highlights of the day, and students leave feeling accomplished and proud.

Why This Day Matters:
Day 3 helps your child develop creative communication skills by exploring how to showcase and promote their ideas.

Recap & Team Collaboration

Day 4 is all about teamwork! After several days of exploring ideas, creating products, and learning about advertising, students will work together to combine their ideas and present a group product.

Arrival/Morning

  • Quiet Zone:
    Early arrivers are welcomed into a calm space with books, puzzles, and sketch pads. This low-key start allows children to ease into the day with quiet, independent activities.

    Healthy Breakfast:
    A light breakfast of fruit, cereal, and milk is served. Teachers encourage friendly conversation about what students have enjoyed learning so far this week.

    Tinkering Station:
    Creative materials like blocks and magnetic tiles are available for children to build or draw something inspired by their week’s projects. Teachers may ask, “Can you make something that reminds you of your product?”

    Freedom to Choose:
    Students can eat, rest, or play quietly. Teachers mingle to engage children in conversations, prompting them to share their favorite moments from the week.

  • Greeting & Reflection:
    Students gather in a circle to review the week’s focus on creativity, curiosity, and exploring new ideas. Teachers ask, “What’s something new you learned about making or selling a product this week?”

    Preview of Day 4:
    The day’s activities are introduced: “Today, we’ll work in small teams to combine our ideas and practice everything we’ve learned—like needs vs. wants, advertising, and teamwork!”

  • Mini Lesson:
    Teachers reinforce a literacy skill, such as short vowel sounds for younger students or summarizing for older ones, tying it to the theme of teamwork.

    Read-Aloud:
    A short story about characters working together to solve a problem or create something is shared. Key words like “team,” “collaboration,” and “idea” are highlighted to connect the story to the day’s activities.

  • Team-Building Game:
    Children participate in a quick, active game like “Human Knot” (if developmentally appropriate) or a simpler circle game where they pass a ball and say something nice about a teammate. This fosters communication and builds trust.

  • Mini Lesson:
    Students practice writing complete sentences or short paragraphs about teamwork. Younger students may focus on using words like “help” or “share,” while older students expand on how teamwork can bring ideas to life.

    Activity:
    The prompt for this session is, “Write or draw about how your team can turn an idea into a product.” Younger students can illustrate their team working together, while older students write 2–3 sentences describing their teamwork.

    Sharing:
    A few students present their reflections to the group, and teachers highlight positive group-focused words or ideas.

  • Mini Lesson:
    Teachers introduce a simple group problem-solving scenario, such as: “If your team wants to buy 5 craft supplies that each cost 1 coin, how many coins do you need in total?”

    Hands-On Practice:
    Small groups work together to solve a short “shopping list” challenge using pretend money. This encourages collaboration and reinforces basic math skills like addition and subtraction.

Lunch & Transition

  • Recap & Group Formation:
    Teachers briefly review the steps of developing a product—coming up with an idea, deciding its use, setting a price, and advertising it. Students are then grouped into teams of 2–4.

    Activity:
    Each team combines or builds on their individual products to create a “group product.” They design a quick pitch, deciding who will present and how to showcase their idea. Teams prepare a short explanation: “Our product is special because…”

  • Relaxed Conversation:
    Lunch is a chance to discuss what students enjoyed most about the team activity so far. Teachers float around, asking questions like, “What makes your group’s product unique?”

  • Cooperative Games:
    During outdoor play, children participate in team-based games like relay races or passing a ball in a circle. These activities promote teamwork and help children build social skills in a fun, active way.

Afternoon/Aftercare

  • Final Touches:
    Teams spend 5–10 minutes adding finishing details to their posters, signs, or spoken lines.

    Presentations:
    Each team takes turns presenting their group product to the class. They use persuasive words learned earlier in the week and discuss whether their product meets a “need” or a “want.”

    Peer Feedback:
    Other students clap, give compliments, or ask simple questions like, “How does it work?” or “How much does it cost?”

  • Reflection Prompts:
    Teachers ask reflective questions, such as:

    “How did it feel to work in a team to share your ideas?”
    “Was it easier or harder to create something with other people’s help?”

    Cleanup:
    Students clean up their team’s presentation area, learning responsibility and respect for shared materials.

  • Smooth Transition:
    Children gather their belongings and prepare for aftercare, with teachers encouraging them to share 1–2 highlights from their presentations.

  • Snack & Wind-Down (3:00 – 3:30 PM):
    Students enjoy a healthy snack and relax with quiet activities or storytelling.

    Free Exploration (3:30 – 5:00 PM):
    Children can refine their products, draw new ideas, or participate in STEM challenges. Outdoor play is encouraged if weather allows.

    Reflection & Pick-Up (5:00 – 6:30 PM):
    During group reflection, children share what they enjoyed about working as a team. Parents are welcomed with highlights from the day, and children leave feeling proud of their teamwork and creativity.

Why This Day Matters:
Day 4 focuses on collaboration and teamwork, helping children understand the value of combining ideas and working together to create something meaningful.

Day 5 – Celebration & Showcase

Day 5 wraps up the first week with a fun and engaging celebration! Students will reflect on their achievements, showcase their creativity, and share their entrepreneurial ideas with peers.

Arrival/Morning

  • Quiet Zone:
    Children are welcomed into a calm space with beanbags, books, puzzles, and sketch pads. This quiet time helps them ease into the day with low-key activities.

    Healthy Breakfast:
    A light breakfast of cereal, fruit, and milk is served, encouraging relaxed conversations about the week’s highlights and favorite moments.

    Tinkering Station:
    Creative materials like blocks and craft supplies are available for students to play and build. Teachers ask, “If you could create anything today, what would it be?” to spark curiosity and excitement.

    Freedom to Choose:
    Whether eating, resting, or playing, students are free to choose their activities. Teachers chat with them about their favorite moments from the week, helping set a positive tone for the day.

  • Greeting & Reflection:
    Teachers welcome everyone and recap the week’s big ideas—creativity, curiosity, teamwork, and product-making. Students are asked, “What’s one new thing you learned this week that you’re proud of?”

    Preview of Day 5:
    The day’s “celebration showcase” is introduced, and students are encouraged to think about how they’ll present their product or idea to their classmates and teachers.

  • Mini Lesson:
    Teachers review a literacy skill, such as sight words for younger students or context clues for older ones, tying it to the week’s theme of reflecting and summarizing.

    Read-Aloud:
    A fun, upbeat story about creativity or teamwork is shared. Teachers prompt students to notice how the characters work together or solve challenges, connecting the story to their own experiences this week.

  • Movement Activity:
    A quick dance party or stretch session energizes students while keeping the mood light and fun. This helps them transition into writing time with focus and enthusiasm.

  • Reflection Writing Prompt:
    Students are asked to write or draw about their favorite moment from the week. Younger students can illustrate their favorite activity, while older children write 2–3 sentences describing what they enjoyed most about creating a product or working with teammates.

    Sharing:
    A few students share their reflections with the group. Teachers celebrate their creativity and teamwork with positive feedback, encouraging applause from their peers.

  • Mini Lesson:
    Teachers lead a quick review of counting, addition/subtraction, or money math. Older students revisit the concept of profit with fun examples like, “If it costs 2 coins to make something and you sell it for 3 coins, how much is the profit?”

    Hands-On Practice:
    Students participate in a “Price is Right” style guessing game using pretend coins to make learning interactive and fun.

Lunch & Transition

  • Set Up:
    Students gather their product prototypes, advertisement posters, or drawings created during the week. Teachers help organize the room so each child has a small display area.

    Practice:
    Students rehearse their 1–2 sentence “pitch,” practicing persuasive language and sharing whether their product is a “need” or a “want.”

  • Fun Conversations:
    Lunchtime includes informal discussions about real-world advertising. Teachers may ask, “What’s your favorite commercial? Do you think ads always tell the truth?”

  • Active Play:
    Children enjoy free outdoor play or indoor activities (if weather doesn’t permit). Teachers encourage teamwork and inclusion during games.

  • Community Building:
    Students eat lunch together and chat about their excitement for the upcoming showcase. Teachers encourage fun conversations about what they’re most proud of from the week.

  • Recess Fun:
    Children enjoy free play outside (weather permitting) or indoor games. Teachers encourage teamwork and social interaction while keeping the mood playful and positive.

Afternoon/Aftercare

  • Setup:
    Desks or tables are arranged to create a small “gallery” where students can display their products or ideas.

    Showcase Time:
    Students take turns presenting their product or idea to classmates and teachers. For younger students, the focus is on sharing with a smile and confidence. Older students practice explaining why someone might want or need their product and how it works.

    Audience Participation:
    Peers and teachers give compliments and ask simple questions like, “How did you make it?” or “What’s your favorite part of your product?”

    Celebration:
    Teachers lead group applause, recognizing everyone’s creativity and effort. Students are praised for their hard work and enthusiasm throughout the week.

  • Reflection Questions:
    Students are asked:

    “What was your favorite part of sharing your idea today?”
    “What’s something you learned about being creative or working as a team?”

    Cleanup:
    Children help tidy up the showcase space and organize materials, reinforcing responsibility and teamwork.

  • Smooth Transition:
    Teachers assist students in gathering belongings and thanking them for a fantastic first week.

  • Snack & Wind-Down (3:00 – 3:30 PM):
    Students enjoy a light snack in a calm environment. They can chat quietly about the showcase or relax with a book or puzzle.

    Free Exploration (3:30 – 5:00 PM):
    Children can revisit the Maker Space, refine their product ideas, or create something new in the Art Corner. Outdoor play is also encouraged to let them celebrate the end of the week.

    Reflection & Pick-Up (5:00 – 6:30 PM):
    During group reflection, students share one thing they’re excited to tell their family about the showcase. Teachers help them clean up and organize the space for the next week.

Why This Day Matters:
Day 5 celebrates everything your child has accomplished during the week. Through reflection, sharing, and fun activities, students build confidence, practice communication skills, and feel proud of their hard work. This joyful day sets the stage for continued learning and creativity in the weeks ahead.

Week 1 Recap: Exploring New Ideas

Teammates began their entrepreneurial journey by learning about creativity and curiosity. They explored how businesses turn ideas into products and began working together on team-based activities.

Week 2 Recap: PROBLEM-SOLVING & Teamwork

This week, teammates focused on collaboration and problem-solving. They learned the value of working together and how businesses overcome challenges through teamwork.

Week 3 Recap: Planning & Execution

Teammates practiced setting goals and planning projects. They learned how to manage resources and make thoughtful decisions, key skills in any successful business.

Week 4 Recap: Leadership & Communication

This week, teammates explored leadership roles, learning how to communicate effectively and guide a team. They practiced making decisions and supporting their peers in group activities.

Week 5 Recap: Learning from Mistakes

Mistakes are part of learning! This week, teammates focused on how businesses grow by turning mistakes into opportunities for improvement. They embraced challenges and practiced problem-solving.

Week 6 Recap: Expressing Ideas

Teammates worked on developing their communication skills by explaining ideas clearly and listening to others. They learned the importance of sharing ideas effectively in business and teamwork.

Week 7 Recap: Choices and Consequences

Teammates explored how every choice in life and business has consequences. They worked on decision-making skills and saw how their choices impacted their projects and results.

Week 8 Recap: Innovation & Creativity

Creativity was the focus this week! Teammates learned how businesses innovate by thinking outside the box. They used creative thinking to come up with new ideas and solutions to challenges.

Week 9 Recap: Problem Solving in Business

Teammates applied their problem-solving skills to real-world scenarios, learning how businesses tackle challenges and adapt to new situations. They focused on resilience and adaptability.

Week 10 Recap: Teamwork and Leadership

This week, teammates strengthened their leadership and teamwork skills by working on group projects. They learned how to support their team and take responsibility for leading others.

Week 11 Recap: Budgeting and Resources

Teammates learned the basics of budgeting and resource management, important skills for any entrepreneur. They practiced setting budgets for their projects and making decisions based on their available resources.

Week 12 Recap: Collaboration & Communication

This week, teammates focused on improving their communication within teams. They learned how businesses succeed by sharing ideas and working together toward a common goal.

Week 13 Recap: Learning from Feedback

Teammates explored the importance of feedback, both giving and receiving. They learned how businesses use feedback to grow and improve and practiced using feedback to refine their own projects.

Week 14 Recap: Developing Resilience

Resilience was the theme this week. Teammates learned how businesses face challenges and bounce back from failure. They practiced overcoming obstacles and learned the value of persistence.

Week 15 Recap: Planning for the Future

This week, teammates worked on setting long-term goals and planning for the future. They learned how businesses create plans for growth and success and began thinking about their own future projects.

Week 16 Recap: Team Dynamics

Teammates explored team dynamics and how different roles contribute to the success of a project. They practiced working together and learned how to support their teammates in achieving shared goals.

Week 17 Recap: Resourcefulness

This week, teammates focused on resourcefulness, learning how to make the most of the materials and time they have. They practiced finding creative solutions to challenges with limited resources.

Week 18 Recap: Problem Solving in Teams

Teammates worked on collaborative problem-solving, learning how teams come together to solve complex challenges. They practiced breaking down problems into manageable tasks.

Week 19 Recap: Innovation in Action

Innovation was the theme this week as teammates explored how businesses create new products and ideas. They used creative thinking to come up with solutions to real-world problems.

Week 20 Recap: Leadership Challenges

This week, teammates took on leadership challenges, learning how to guide a team through a project. They practiced decision-making and learned how to support their peers in achieving success.

Week 21 Recap: Learning from Failure

Failure is part of success! This week, teammates focused on learning from failure and using mistakes as opportunities for growth. They practiced resilience and adaptability in their projects.

Week 22 Recap: Team Communication

Teammates worked on improving their team communication, learning how businesses succeed by sharing ideas and listening to others. They practiced active listening and clear communication.

Week 23 Recap: Budgeting for Success

This week, teammates explored the basics of budgeting and resource management. They learned how businesses plan for expenses and practiced creating their own project budgets.

Week 24 Recap: Collaboration in Business

Collaboration was the focus this week as teammates learned how businesses work together to achieve success. They practiced teamwork and communication in group projects.

Week 25 Recap: PROBLEM-SOLVING in Business

Teammates applied their problem-solving skills to real-world business challenges. They learned how businesses overcome obstacles and worked together to find solutions to problems.

Week 26 Recap: Developing Leadership Skills

This week, teammates focused on developing their leadership skills. They practiced guiding teams through projects and learned how to make decisions that support their team's success.

Week 27 Recap: Innovation and Creativity

Creativity and innovation were the themes this week. Teammates learned how businesses come up with new ideas and practiced thinking outside the box to solve challenges.

Week 28 Recap: Team Dynamics

Teammates explored how different roles contribute to a team's success. They practiced working together and learned how to support their teammates in achieving shared goals.

Week 29 Recap: Learning from Feedback

This week, teammates focused on the importance of feedback. They practiced giving and receiving constructive feedback and learned how to use it to improve their projects.

Week 30 Recap: Overcoming Challenges

Teammates learned how businesses face and overcome challenges. They practiced resilience and adaptability, focusing on how to keep moving forward in the face of obstacles.

Week 31 Recap: Communication in Teams

This week, teammates focused on improving their communication within teams. They learned how to share ideas clearly and listen to their peers to achieve success in group projects.

Week 32 Recap: Budgeting and Resource Management

Teammates explored the basics of budgeting and resource management, learning how to plan for expenses and make decisions about resource allocation in their projects.

Week 33 Recap: Problem Solving & Innovation

Problem-solving and innovation were the themes this week as teammates worked on creative solutions to business challenges. They practiced thinking outside the box and collaborating with others.

Week 34 Recap: Developing Leadership

This week, teammates took on leadership roles, guiding their teams through projects. They practiced making decisions and supporting their teammates in achieving shared goals.

Week 35 Recap: Teamwork & Collaboration

Teammates worked on improving their teamwork and collaboration skills. They learned how businesses succeed by working together and practiced supporting their teammates in group projects.

Week 36 Recap: Learning from Mistakes

Mistakes are part of learning! This week, teammates focused on how businesses grow by turning mistakes into opportunities for improvement. They embraced challenges and practiced problem-solving.

Week 37 Recap: Innovation in Business

Teammates explored how businesses create new products and ideas. They used creative thinking to come up with solutions to real-world challenges and practiced innovation in their projects.

Week 38 Recap: Leadership & Team Dynamics

This week, teammates focused on developing leadership skills and understanding team dynamics. They practiced guiding their teams through projects and supporting their peers in achieving success.

Week 39 Recap: Resilience in Business

Teammates learned how businesses face challenges and bounce back from failure. They practiced resilience and adaptability, focusing on how to overcome obstacles in their projects.

Week 40 Recap: Communication & Collaboration

This week, teammates worked on improving their communication within teams. They practiced sharing ideas clearly and listening to their peers to achieve success in group projects.

Week 41 Recap: Budgeting for Success

Teammates focused on budgeting and resource management, learning how businesses plan for expenses and make decisions about resource allocation in their projects.

Week 42 Recap: PROBLEM-SOLVING in Teams

Teammates applied their problem-solving skills to real-world business challenges. They worked together to find solutions to problems and practiced resilience and adaptability.

Week 43 Recap: Developing Leadership Skills

This week, teammates focused on developing leadership skills, practicing decision-making and guiding their teams through projects. They learned how to support their peers and lead by example.

Week 44 Recap: Innovation & Creativity

Creativity and innovation were the themes this week as teammates explored how businesses create new products and ideas. They practiced thinking outside the box to solve challenges.

Week 45 Recap: Team Dynamics & Leadership

Teammates continued to explore leadership roles and team dynamics. They worked on guiding their teams through complex projects and learned how to effectively communicate and make decisions as leaders.

Week 46 Recap: Learning from Failure

This week focused on the importance of failure in the learning process. Teammates explored how businesses use failures as stepping stones to success and practiced resilience by overcoming challenges in their projects.

Week 47 Recap: Communication in Business

Teammates concentrated on improving their business communication skills. They learned how to clearly present their ideas, listen to feedback, and collaborate with others to achieve shared goals in a business setting.

Week 48 Recap: Budgeting for Business Growth

This week, teammates explored how businesses use budgeting to plan for growth and success. They practiced creating and adjusting budgets for their projects, making decisions based on available resources and future goals.

Week 49 Recap: Problem Solving for Success

Teammates applied their problem-solving skills to challenging business scenarios, working together to find creative solutions. They focused on how businesses use problem-solving to overcome obstacles and achieve success.

Week 50 Recap: Innovation & Entrepreneurship

This week, teammates focused on entrepreneurship and innovation. They practiced using creative thinking to come up with new business ideas, learning how innovation drives business success and growth.

Week 51 Recap: Leadership & Accountability

Teammates practiced taking responsibility for their projects and learned how accountability plays a role in effective leadership. They explored how businesses rely on responsible leaders to guide teams toward success.

Week 52 Recap: Reflecting on Growth

The final week focused on reflection and celebrating progress. Teammates looked back on their journey, discussed what they had learned, and reflected on how far they had come in developing their business and leadership skills. They set new goals for the future and celebrated their accomplishments!