Students will build literacy skills by researching a retail company. They will synthesize the information they uncover into a written paper, a slideshow/presentation, and a poster/infographic which they will then present in front of an audience.

This lesson invites students to use their understanding of modern experiences with digital technologies to make active meaning of an older text, such as Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, by asking students to create their own modern interpretation of specific events from the drama. Students first brainstorm a list of technologies they use, and then imagine what would happen if Romeo and Juliet were set in a modern-day world and that technology was available to the characters. Students work in small groups to create technology profiles for characters in the play, and then discuss their ideas with the class. Next, students select from a variety of projects in which they re-imagine a scene from the play with modern technology incorporated. Finally, students share their projects with the class and discuss why they made the choices of scene and technology that they did.

Project Description: This project introduces students to entrepreneurship as well as economic systems, developing nations, and transitional economies. Each team will conduct thorough research on the economies of three diverse nations and determine which of those countries is most hospitable and supportive of entrepreneurship and private business ownership. After identifying which of the three is most ideal for entrepreneurship, the team will create promotional pieces of its choice (e.g., television commercial, series of advertisements, podcast, etc.) to persuade would-be entrepreneurs to start their businesses in that particular country.The attached project document (found in the Resource Library) includes step-by-step instructions, templates, briefings, resources, and rubrics to help guide the project. Driving Question: Which countries are most supportive of entrepreneurship and personal business ownership? Timeframe: 2 weeks

Project Description: This project focuses on economic indicators and their use as measures of an economy’s strength. Student teams will gather historical and current economic data, analyze these data, and use their findings to determine the current phase of the business cycle. Then, each team will predict the health of the U.S. economy over the next 12 months, including which phase(s) of the business cycle the economy will experience, and based on this forecast, determine what industry would be best for a venture capitalist to invest in during that time. Each team will develop charts and tables that contain its research findings and economic forecast, develop a short report of its recommendation, and present its work to a venture capitalist, economic development coordinator, or local entrepreneur. The attached project document (found in the Resource Library) includes step-by-step instructions, templates, briefings, resources, and rubrics to help in executing this project.Driving Question: What phase(s) of the business cycle do you expect the U.S. economy to experience over the next 12 months, and what industry should a venture capitalist invest in during that time? Timeframe: 2 weeks