Core Skills Analysis
English
Arrie planned and began creating an advertising poster for her dog-walking service. She communicated her ideas clearly, considered how information should be presented to potential customers, and discussed pricing in a way that required purposeful language for an audience. Arrie also practised conversational skills by explaining her business idea to SW and involving SW in her interests. This activity supported early persuasive, informative and audience-aware communication.
Mathematics
Arrie explored pricing options by considering different charges based on the length of a dog walk and the size of the dog. She used practical mathematical thinking to compare variables and connect a service price with the amount of work provided. Although no calculations were recorded, the activity introduced decision-making involving comparison, categories and potentially time and money. Arrie also practised flexible problem-solving while developing a realistic business plan.
HASS
Arrie considered how a service could meet a need in her community by helping people walk their dogs. She thought about customers, service choices and how to communicate an offer through a poster. This helped her begin understanding participation in the local community, responsibility and the relationship between work and income. Her idea also provided a possible future pathway for community access, although no community access occurred during the session.
Health and Physical Education
Arrie participated in active movement on the gymnastics mat and later independently took approximately 15 minutes away from Roblox for body movement. She transitioned between screen-based and physical activities appropriately and returned to the online activity afterward. This demonstrated awareness of the value of movement within a longer session and supported emotional regulation. Arrie also maintained positive interactions with SW while sharing interests and seeking support.
Tips
Tips: Help Arrie turn her idea into a simple business plan by listing the service, possible customers, prices and safety rules. Create sample dog-walking prices using short and long walks, then compare totals with practical money problems. Role-play a customer conversation so Arrie can practise explaining her service, answering questions and agreeing on expectations. For a hands-on extension, design a pretend poster and map a safe imaginary walking route while discussing appropriate adult supervision and responsible pet care.
Book Recommendations
- The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate: A story that encourages empathy, responsibility and thoughtful consideration of animals.
- Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo: A warm novel exploring friendship, community connections and the impact of caring for a dog.
- Dog Man by Dav Pilkey: A humorous, accessible graphic novel that connects with Arrie’s interest in dogs and supports visual literacy.
Learning Standards
- English – AC9E3LY01: Arrie planned and began creating an informative and persuasive poster, using communication suited to a potential audience.
- English – AC9E6LY01: Arrie used interaction skills to explain her idea, involve SW and seek support during discussion.
- Mathematics – AC9M6N05: Her comparison of prices based on walk length and dog size provided an authentic context for developing multi-step money problem-solving.
- HASS – WAHASS31: Arrie explored a possible service for local community members and considered how it could meet a community need.
- Science and other listed standards: No direct evidence in this session supported the supplied Science standards.
Try This Next
- Create a pricing worksheet: compare 15-, 30- and 60-minute walks for small, medium and large dogs.
- Design and edit a dog-walking poster with a service name, prices, audience-friendly wording and illustrations.
- Role-play a customer phone call using three questions about dog size, walk length and safety.
- Make a movement-break tracker showing activity type, duration and how Arrie felt afterward.