The resource does have an agenda, but it is to open students minds to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), how social enterprises are contributing to the realization of those goals and what their class might do to contribute to the realization of those goals by planning and undertaking a social enterprise initiative. Within this framework, however, students undertake their own analysis of issues and decide how they will respond.  

Social enterprise initiatives are primarily entrepreneurial or economic activities but in examining the case studies provided to illustrate the concept, students recognize how these initiatives have environmental and social implications. In considering what social enterprise they might undertake, students are required to consider the potential impacts of a given action and to create charts which illustrate that impact in terms of the relative social and environmental consequences. 

The lesson helps students to recognize that while it may be necessary for the United Nations to identify 17 Sustainable Development Goals, the Goals are not separate and distinct entities but are interconnected so that efforts to promote decent work and economic, for example, will reduce inequalities and help build sustainable communities. 

In discussing what social enterprise they might undertake, students begin to realize they have limited resources and therefore if they choose to do A, they cannot do B and thus must carefully weigh the relative merits of A and B. In making that comparison, they must identify the web of consequences that may follow from a given choice.

Lessons four and five asks students to act on what they have learned in the earlier lessons. In lesson 4, they brainstorm ideas for potential social enterprise project, learn about the concept of a business plan and review a simple business plan. In lesson 5, they create a business plan and an action plan with deadlines, individual roles and responsibilities identifie , and plan for the launch of the social enterprise.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are based upon an implicit set of values. Social enterprise actions are intended to put those values into practice. In working their way through this resource students will have an opportunity to clarify their own values.

Many of the case studies that the resource includes to illustrate the benefits of social enterprise projects profile individual who are struggling and who have been helped to find decent work as a result of a particular social enterprise. Reading these stories of challenges and success will encourage greater empathy for the people who face and overcome terrible difficulties.

In learning about the concept of social enterprise and in developing their own entrepreneurial plan, students learn that many of the problems addressed by the SDGs have their origin in environmental conditions and that their proposed plans must be respectful of the environmental consequences that will follow implementation.

The students are introduced to a number of case studies to illustrate the concept of social enterprises and the link between social enterprises and jobs and how each might support the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These case studies are largely found in the developing world. Once this background or framework is in place, students are asked to  explore with the class possible problems or issues within the local community that they are interested in and feel that they could help with or improve. Students then develop a business plan, followed by an action plan and the implementation of that plan.

Students learn that the purpose of social enterprises is to address a current challenge faced by individuals or communities so as to ensure a better future. In developing an action plan to realize that end, organizers must identify those traditional elements or practices that may be responsible for the current difficulties.

The lessons do make certain assumptions; i.e. sustainable development is central to building a better world, that certain goals are fundamental to achieving sustainable development, and that social enterprises offer a practical plan for realizing some of these goals. In examining the SDGs however, students can be expected to realize how complex each is in terms of the challenges faced in  working towards their realization. Rather than being overwhelmed by that complexity, however, the lesson offers some practical or doable actions that others have taken and that they might attempt.

Collectively, the six lessons in this resource touch upon a variety of subject areas - geography, citizenship, math, environment, business studies, social studies, art and design - not as separate entities but in an integrative manner. 

Students learn about the elements of social enterprises by extrapolating these from a number of case studies they examine. They decide what constitutes a decent job; what the qualities of an effective entrepreneur are; what makes for a good business plan; and what needs to be done to manage a successful action plan.

There is a range of student activities here. Students work in groups to match various social enterprises with Sustainable Development Goals. They sort out and explore what they know by completing KWL charts. They undertake a community walk  to identify the needs of their community. They carry out individual studies and report their findings to the class in a media of their choice. They work collectively to analyze case studies of effective social enterprises. They explore with the class possible problems or issues they could help to improve and they brainstorm possible solutions. Finally, they create and carry out a business plan.

Students encounter the 'real world' in a series of case studies that illustrate the daily lives of people and how they have been helped by various social enterprise projects. They next move to a consideration of the 'real world' in their community and plan and implement a local social enterprise project to address a perceived challenge.

There is considerable group activity as students move through the six lesson plans in this resource. Small and large group discussion is designed to help students share their understanding of the SDGs, to identify the features of social enterprise projects, to delineate the characteristics of effective entrepreneurs, to map their community needs, and to brainstorm and carry out a local social enterprise initiative. 

Students also learn from the individual research undertaken and presented by their classmates. 

There are a number of tools provided that allow teachers to measure the understanding of students. KLM charts indicate what students know about a given topic, what the wonder about, and what they have learned at the conclusion of the lesson. Another chart assesses student understanding of the interplay between social and environmental factors. Other charts require students to outline the steps in their business and action plans.

The final lesson is a reflective exercise that asks students to consider

• What went well?

• What did they learn?

• What skills did they develop?

• What could make their social enterprise even better?

The various group discussions, brainstorming exercises and individual presentations enable students to benefit from the knowledge and creativity of their classmates.   

The use of case studies is one of the strengths of this resource. Students learn what is meant by social enterprise by investigating a number of case studies presented. They arrive at an understanding of what makes for a good entrepreneur by analyzing a number of examples provided. Finally, they look at their own community as a case study in what challenges are there and what they can do to help.

The resource is just that - a resource. It provides the teacher and students with ideas and materials that allow the student to investigate certain topics or issues and arrive at their own conclusions about those topics or issues.