Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Business Studies
Lesson Topic: the main functional areas of a business, e.g. operations, marketing, finance, human resources
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the four main functional areas of a business and their key responsibilities.
  • Explain how each functional area contributes to achieving business objectives in a simple organisational structure.
  • Analyse the interaction and communication flow between functional areas in a small business.
  • Evaluate the advantages and limitations of a simple structure for small owner‑run enterprises.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector or interactive whiteboard
  • Slide deck summarising functional areas
  • Handout with a simple organisational chart
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Sticky notes for group activity
  • Exit ticket slips
 Introduction:

Begin with a quick poll: “What jobs do you think exist in a small family bakery?” Students share ideas, linking to prior knowledge of business roles. Explain that today they will explore the four core functional areas that keep any business running and outline the success criteria: identify each area, its responsibilities, and how they interact.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5') – Students list jobs they know; share; teacher records functional areas on board.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10') – Present slides on Operations, Marketing, Finance, HR, highlighting key responsibilities and typical activities.
  3. Group activity (15') – In small groups, students receive a simple‑business scenario and map tasks to the appropriate functional area on a worksheet.
  4. Whole‑class discussion (10') – Groups present their mappings; teacher clarifies interactions and short communication lines in a simple structure.
  5. Diagram creation (10') – Students draw a basic organisational chart showing the owner/manager and the four functional branches.
  6. Quick check (5') – Kahoot quiz or exit ticket with three questions to assess understanding.
Conclusion:

Recap the four functional areas and their role in supporting business objectives, emphasizing the quick decision‑making in a simple structure. Students complete an exit ticket summarising one advantage and one limitation of the simple organisational model. Assign homework: research a local small business and identify its functional areas.