
Entrepreneurship
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GREAT VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
GREAT VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL
Entrepreneurship
Business/Technology Elective
Grade Level: 10th, 11th and 12th
Length of Course: Semester
Periods Per Cycle: 3 periods/cycle
Credit: .25 credit
Duration of Session: 47 Minutes
District Phone Ext: 2125
Teacher: Mr. Balderson
Email Address: kbalderson@gvsd.org
COURSE DESCRIPTION
As the American economic system shifts to an information and service economy, and as worldwide competition in the global economy increases, a greater understanding of entrepreneurship is needed. This course encompasses all the social sciences and develops skills in communications, human relations, mathematics, decision-making, and critical thinking. This course utilizes nontraditional teaching techniques such as computer simulation (students will own and operate a computerized generated business), cooperative learning groups, role-playing, and emphasizes a link with small businesses through experiential learning activities within the entrepreneurial environment. Local and/or regional business owners will share their entrepreneurial experiences with the class at various times throughout the course.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Defining entrepreneurship
Evaluating & recognizing opportunities
Completing a self-assessment
Creating an “idea”
Developing a comprehensive BUSINESS PLAN
Running a business – Virtual Business RETAILING simulation
Managing money and personnel
Understanding the needs of the market in terms of service, products, and price
TEXTBOOKS / RESOURCES
ENTREPRENEURSHIP, Ideas in Action, Cynthia L. Greene, Thomson-South Western, 2006.
The Teen Entrepreneur, Anthony Masala, Business Education Publishing, 2006.
SOFTWARE
Virtual Business - Retailing, Knowledge Matters, Inc.
All resources will be kept in the classroom and available to all students at any point during the school day.
PROCEDURES FOR EVALUATION
A Total Points system of grading is used in this class. Each assignment, project, quiz, etc., is worth a certain number of points. The points the students earn are recorded in the electronic grading program. At the end of the marking period, the students’ quarter grade will be determined by dividing the total number of possible points into the total number of points earned by each student. Because the teachers at Great Valley use an electronic grading program, students and parents have the ability at any time to know what his or her current average is. There will generally be no homework given for this course (although students may be required to bring in pictures and or other materials to use for various projects).
Class Participation
Students are required to participate in all classroom discussions as well as classroom projects demonstrating the various units of study.
Course Performance Criteria
· Class participation
· Activities
· Cases and exercises
· Worksheets
· Computer simulation
· BUSINESS PLAN