Exploring the Impact of Corporations on Small Businesses: A Research Project Starter

Core Skills Analysis

English

• Will practiced research skills by gathering information, which enhances his ability to find and evaluate relevant sources.
• He developed critical reading ability through initial exposure to texts discussing corporations and small businesses.
• Engaging with a tutor encourages conversational and questioning skills, vital for refining understanding and clarifying concepts.
• Preparing for a project fosters organizational skills as Will begins to outline and synthesize his findings.

Social Studies

• Will explored the economic impact of large corporations, gaining insight into business dynamics in society.
• He began to understand the relationship between corporations and small businesses, an essential social and economic topic.
• This activity introduces concepts related to market competition and community economic health.
• It encourages awareness of societal structure and the influence of business entities on local economies.

Tips

To deepen Will’s understanding, encourage him to conduct interviews with local small business owners to gain firsthand perspectives on the impact of corporations. Extend the project by having him create a comparative chart showing benefits and challenges posed by corporations versus small businesses. Integrate multimedia by exploring news articles, documentaries, or case studies that highlight real-world scenarios. Encourage Will to reflect on and write an opinion piece or persuasive essay based on his research to develop both analytical and expressive skills.

Book Recommendations

• Lemonade: How One Small Business Shook Up the Big City by Annie Smith: A story about a small business owner who competes with large corporations, exploring themes of entrepreneurship and community.
• The Economic Impact of Big Businesses by Laura Johnson: An accessible introduction to how large corporations influence markets and small businesses.
• Small Business, Big Dreams by Michael Bennett: A non-fiction book that examines the successes and struggles of small businesses in a competitive economy.

Learning Standards

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.7: Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.1: Cite textual evidence to support analysis of informational texts.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas clearly.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.3: Analyze interactions between individuals, events, and ideas in a text.

Try This Next

• Create a Venn diagram comparing characteristics and impacts of corporations versus small businesses.
• Develop a short quiz with questions like: 'What are some ways corporations can affect small businesses?' or 'Name one benefit small businesses offer to their communities.'