Year 4, Lesson 1.10: Pitching your project

Semester Learning Goal

Students will investigate community needs, reflect on personal values, and apply design thinking to develop a values-aligned project idea. Through research, collaboration, and iteration, they will explore what it means to do Good Work as a good person, good worker, and good citizen.

Lesson Goal

Students will build confidence and clarity in communicating their Capstone project ideas through values-driven storytelling and presentation practice. This pitch is an opportunity to refine their thinking and prepare for project implementation in Semester 2.

Assessment

  • Observe student participation in storytelling and pitch rounds.

  • Provide feedback on clarity, alignment with project goals, and ability to connect the project to personal or community values.

  • Use peer or teacher rubrics if desired.

Casel Alignment

Self-Awareness, Relationship Skills, Responsible Decision-Making, Social Awareness

Portfolio Documentation

Resources

Prerequisites

  • Year 4, Lesson 1.9

Total Time

45 minutes

Instructions

  • Students worked to revise their earlier prototype last class. Today, they will work towards developing a pitch for their project.

Optional Opening Framing: 

  • You’re learning to communicate clearly and responsibly—skills that matter for any good worker, and help you inspire others as a good citizen.

1. Opener: Why Storytelling Matters (5 minutes)

  • Ask:

    • Why do you think storytelling is important when it comes to creating change?

  • Explain that facts are powerful, but stories are what people remember. A pitch isn’t just explaining your idea—it’s helping others see its purpose and potential.

  • Tell students: Today you’ll begin shaping how you want to present your project to others—in a way that is clear, confident, and values-based. This pitch isn’t the end of your Capstone—it’s a key checkpoint in your design phase. You’re developing a clear way to talk about your idea now, so you’re ready to bring it to life next semester.

2.  Storytelling Circles (10 minutes)

  • Place students in small groups of 3–4. Ask each student to tell a 1–2 minute version of:

  • Why they care about their project

  • What need they noticed

  • Who it serves and why it matters

  • Encourage them to include personal moments, observations, or values.
    You may offer optional sentence starters:

    • I first noticed this issue when…

    • This project matters to me because…

    • One thing I hope to change is…

  • After everyone shares, group members can offer feedback:

    • What part of the story felt strongest?

    • What stuck with you?

    • What could be clearer?

3. Pitch Planning & Structure (10 minutes)

  • Distribute the Pitch Planning Sheet. Go over a simple pitch structure students can use:

    • Hook – Grab attention with a story, question, or quote

    • Problem – Describe the issue and who it affects

    • Idea – Explain what your project will do and how it works

    • Values – Share the values behind your project (ethics, excellence, engagement, etc. )

    • Ask – What support, action, or next step are you hoping for?

  • Students begin filling in their pitch plan and outlining what they want to say.

4. Hot Seat Practice (15 minutes)

  • Bring students together in small groups or form an inner “fishbowl” circle.

  • Each student gives a short 1-minute pitch preview, then sits in the “hot seat” to receive 2–3 follow-up questions from their group.

  • Use these Hot Seat prompt ideas:

    • What inspired your idea?

    • What makes your solution different or creative?

    • What challenge do you expect and how will you handle it?

    • What value does your project express most clearly?

  • Groups rotate quickly to ensure everyone gets a chance.

  • Consider recording these pitches for students to review for themselves later. 

5. Closing Exit Ticket

  • Ask students to complete the Lesson 1.10 Exit Ticket

  • Encourage them to keep refining their message in a way that’s honest, ethical, and engaging.

  • Students should save their Pitch Planning Sheet in their Good Work Portfolio.

Optional Extension – Practice Pitching:

Share a 1-minute version of your pitch with someone outside of school. Ask them what stood out most. Did they understand your project? Were they interested? What might you revise?