You’re the Boss: Lifeskills & Entrepreneurship Program 
by Bonnie Drew (Published by The Bureau for At-Risk Youth, 2000)
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Summary:
This comprehensive curriculum, designed for students in grades 6-12, includes both a leader’s guide and a student workbook. Although the curriculum is not explicitly faith-based, it is an effective and adaptable tool for FBOs desiring to develop a youth entrepreneurship program. The student workbook is an active learning tool. Rather than simply stating information, the lessons incorporate probing questions to help the students think about the business principles that are being taught. The lessons also provide multiple real-life stories about young entrepreneurs to further illustrate the new material. Using graphs, questionnaires, illustrations, word problems, and sample documents, the Student Guide effectively teaches the essentials of entrepreneurship. The You’re the Boss Leader’s Guide is a vital accompaniment to the Student Guide. The Leader’s Guide provides over 100 lesson plans that enhance the written lesson plans in the Student Guide.
Why does FASTEN recommend this resource?
The Student Guide includes hands-on activities and this is a curriculum with classroom activities and games that get the students on their feet and interacting with one another. In addition to detailed lesson plans, The Leader’s Guide provides a step-by-step guide for the “Business Plan Workshop,” which develops over the third trimester of the program. The “Business Plan Workshop” begins with the students creating business plans, then inviting guests, and, finally, presenting their business plans to the class. The leader is given instructions for carrying out this workshop, including practice rehearsals for the students and materials needed for the final presentation, such as extra chairs, microphone, speaker’s podium, etc.
The strength of the You’re the Boss curriculum is its thoroughness. This is the only material one needs to run a successful youth entrepreneurship program from start to finish.
