Lesson Plan
Lemonade Stand Launch
Students will explore essential employability skills—teamwork, communication, and planning—by reading a lemonade stand story and then collaboratively planning and presenting their own mini-venture.
Introducing these skills through a familiar, hands-on context helps 5th graders see how clear roles, effective communication, and thoughtful planning apply both to a fun class project and to real-world jobs.
Audience
5th Grade Class
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Reading, discussion, and group planning activities.
Materials
- Chart Paper and Markers, - Sticky Notes, - Running Our Business Slide Deck, - From Idea to Startup Reading, and - Team Talk Circle Discussion Guide
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review Running Our Business Slide Deck
- Print copies of From Idea to Startup Reading
- Familiarize yourself with the Team Talk Circle Discussion Guide
- Set up projector and arrange chart paper on the board
- Gather markers and distribute sticky notes for reflections
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Welcome students and explain the day’s goal: learn workplace skills through a lemonade stand example
- Ask: “What makes a team work well together?”
- Record key ideas on chart paper: teamwork, communication, planning
Step 2
Reading Activity
10 minutes
- Distribute From Idea to Startup Reading
- Students read individually or in pairs
- As they read, underline examples of teamwork, planning, or communication
- Invite one or two volunteers to share a highlighted example
Step 3
Slide-Deck Discussion
10 minutes
- Project Running Our Business Slide Deck
- Walk through slides on roles, budgeting, and marketing
- After each section, ask: “How does this relate to communication or teamwork?”
- Jot student responses on chart paper
Step 4
Team Talk Circle
15 minutes
- Form groups of 3–4 and give each group chart paper and markers
- Use the Team Talk Circle Discussion Guide
- Prompt groups to:
- Assign clear roles (e.g., supply manager, cashier, marketer, quality checker)
- Outline a simple marketing idea for their stand
- Plan a basic budget (cost vs. price)
- Groups record ideas and pick one spokesperson to share
Step 5
Wrap-Up & Reflection
5 minutes
- Invite each spokesperson to share one skill their group focused on
- Ask: “How could we use these skills in other jobs?”
- Students write one employability skill they want to improve on a sticky note and post it on the reflection board
- Summarize key takeaways: teamwork, planning, communication
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Slide Deck
Running Our Business
Let’s explore the key parts of running a small business using our lemonade stand example:
• Roles & Responsibilities
• Budgeting Basics
• Marketing Strategies
• Communication & Teamwork
Get ready to see how each piece fits together!
Welcome students and set the stage: “Today we’ll see how our lemonade stand story helps us learn about working together, planning money, and sharing ideas.”
Roles & Responsibilities
Typical lemonade stand roles:
• Supply Manager – Orders cups, lemons, sugar
• Cashier – Handles money and gives change
• Marketer – Designs posters and social media blurb
• Quality Checker – Tastes and ensures drink consistency
Assigning clear roles helps everyone know what to do.
Explain that every team member has a job and share why defining roles is important.
Budgeting Basics
Key budgeting terms:
• Cost – Money you spend (cups, ingredients)
• Price – Money customers pay per cup
• Profit – Price minus cost
Example:
• Cost per cup: $0.50
• Selling price: $1.00
• Profit per cup: $0.50
Planning your budget keeps your business sustainable!
Walk students through basic budgeting: cost vs. price, profit.
Marketing Your Stand
Marketing helps people notice you:
• Create colorful signs (“Cool Lemonade—50¢!”)
• Use fun slogans (“Squeeze the Day!”)
• Share on school bulletin or morning announcements
Good marketing draws in more customers and boosts sales.
Discuss simple, catchy marketing ideas for a kid-friendly stand.
Communication & Teamwork
• Regular check-ins keep everyone on track.
• Listening to teammates prevents mistakes.
• Sharing ideas helps you solve problems faster.
Remember: Good communication is as important as having a plan!
Highlight how teamwork and communication tie all these pieces together.
Key Takeaways
- Clear roles make teamwork smoother.
- Budgeting ensures you don’t lose money.
- Marketing attracts customers.
- Communication ties it all together.
Next: Let’s form our teams and put these skills into action!
Wrap up by summarizing the main points and transition to group activity.
Reading
From Idea to Startup
A Thirsty Idea
It was a hot Tuesday afternoon at Lincoln Elementary, and Ms. Rivera’s 5th-grade class wiped sweaty foreheads after recess. Leo sighed, “I wish we had something cool to drink.” Maya’s eyes sparkled. “What if we sell lemonade?” she said. Instantly, everyone buzzed with excitement. They grabbed a big sheet of chart paper and wrote at the top: Sunny Sips Lemonade Stand. Underneath, they jotted down questions: Where will we set up? How many cups? How much will it cost?
Dividing the Work
To turn their idea into reality, the class knew they needed a plan. They gathered in a circle and talked through each step.
• Supply Manager (Jamal): “I’ll list what we need—cups, lemons, sugar, ice.”
• Cashier (Sofia): “I’ll handle the money and keep the tally of sales.”
• Marketer (Anika): “I’ll make bright posters and write an announcement for the PA system.”
• Quality Checker (Leo): “I’ll taste-test every pitcher to make sure it’s just right.”
Each team member wrote their role on a sticky note and placed it on the chart paper. Then they created a simple budget: cups cost 5¢ each, ingredients cost $2 per pitcher, and they decided to charge 25¢ per cup. Together they calculated that every pitcher needed to sell at least 10 cups to cover costs and earn a little profit.
Checking In
On the big day, Sunny Sips opened at lunch. Every 15 minutes, the team held a quick huddle under the shade of the oak tree.
“Only five cups of lemonade left,” called out Leo.
“I’ll run inside for more ice,” said Jamal and dashed off.
“Let’s move that colorful sign closer to the playground,” suggested Anika.
“Sales are up when we greet customers with a smile,” Sofia reminded everyone.
These check-ins helped them fix small problems before they became big ones—and they attracted more thirsty friends passing by.
Ready, Set, Go!
By the end of lunch, the team had sold all their lemonade and counted their earnings. They high-fived and realized that teamwork, clear roles, and constant communication were just as important as making the lemonade itself.
Your Turn
As you read, underline each example of:
- Planning (how the team divided roles and set prices)
- Teamwork (how they helped one another during the sale)
- Communication (their quick huddles and shared ideas)
Get ready to share what you find!
Discussion
Team Talk Circle Discussion Guide
Purpose
Help students apply teamwork, planning, and communication to design their own lemonade stand.
Group Setup
- 3–4 students per group
- Each group gets chart paper, markers, and sticky notes
Discussion Prompts
- Assign Roles (5 minutes)
- Question: What roles do we need for our lemonade stand? (Supply Manager, Cashier, Marketer, Quality Checker)
- Follow-up: Why is it important that each role has clear tasks?
- Planning the Budget (5 minutes)
- Question: What costs will we have (cups, lemons, sugar, ice)? How will we set the price per cup?
- Follow-up: How many cups must we sell to cover our costs? And to make a profit?
- Marketing Strategy (5 minutes)
- Question: How will we attract customers? What slogans or designs will we use?
- Follow-up: Where will we display our poster or announcement?
- Communication Check-Ins (5 minutes)
- Question: How will we share updates during our sale? (e.g., quick huddles)
- Follow-up: What problems might come up and how will we communicate fixes?
Sharing Out (5 minutes)
- Each spokesperson shares one key decision for roles, budget, and marketing.
- Class discussion: How did clear communication help your planning?
Facilitator Tips
- Encourage every student to speak.
- Ask for examples from the reading (From Idea to Startup Reading).
- Gently prompt quieter students with direct questions (e.g., “Alex, what idea do you have?”)
Reflection
- Ask: Which skill was most challenging to use? Why?
- Students jot down one skill to improve on a sticky note and post on reflection board.