Entrepreneurship · Grade 11

Active learning ideas

Characteristics of Entrepreneurs

This topic introduces students to the foundational traits that drive entrepreneurial success in Canada. Students explore the distinction between being an employee and being an enterprising person who takes initiative within an organization. We look at characteristics like resilience, risk tolerance, and curiosity, while acknowledging that these traits manifest differently across diverse cultural contexts, including Indigenous and newcomer communities.

• Ontario Curriculum Expectations
• BDI3C Overall Expectation 1: Analyse the characteristics and contributions of enterprising people.
• BDI3C Specific Expectation 1.1: Identify the skills and characteristics associated with entrepreneurship.

• 20–45 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 3 activities

Activity 01

• Gallery Walk
• 45 min · Small Groups

Gallery Walk: Entrepreneurial Archetypes

Place profiles of diverse Canadian entrepreneurs around the room, including Indigenous business leaders and social entrepreneurs. Students move in small groups to identify three specific traits for each and provide evidence from the profile. They then rotate to add a 'challenging trait' that might be needed for that specific industry.

What are the key traits of successful entrepreneurs?

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Create
• Relationship Skills
• Social Awareness

Activity 02

• Formal Debate
• 30 min · Whole Class

Formal Debate: Nature vs. Nurture

Divide the class into two sides to debate whether entrepreneurial traits are innate or can be taught. Students must use examples from the Ontario Curriculum expectations, such as specific skills like financial literacy or networking. This helps them distinguish between personality traits and learned competencies.

How do enterprising people differ from entrepreneurs?

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Decision-Making

Activity 03

• Think-Pair-Share
• 20 min · Pairs

Think-Pair-Share: The Enterprising Employee

Students reflect on a time they took initiative in a part-time job or volunteer role. They pair up to categorize their actions into specific entrepreneurial characteristics like 'opportunity recognition' or 'resourcefulness.' Finally, they share with the class how these traits benefit an employer even if they don't own the business.

Can entrepreneurial skills be learned?

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Awareness
• Relationship Skills

A few notes on teaching this unit

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• Entrepreneurs must be extroverted risk-takers who love the spotlight.

  Many successful entrepreneurs are introverted and focus on calculated risk mitigation rather than gambling. Active peer discussion helps students see that analytical skills and quiet persistence are just as vital as charisma.

• You are either born an entrepreneur or you aren't.

  Entrepreneurship is a mindset and a set of skills that can be developed through practice. Using hands-on simulations allows students to experience 'failing forward,' which builds the resilience necessary for the field.

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Methods used in this brief

• Gallery Walk
• Formal Debate
• Think-Pair-Share