Who does what in a business? A 25-minute role card game, grades 3–5
What it is: a grades 3–5 card game where teams meet four business roles (the leader, the maker, the marketer and the money keeper) and decide which role should handle each everyday problem. Students learn that a business needs different skills and that teams share the work.
Time: about 25 minutes. Grade: 3rd to 5th grade.
Materials: four role cards with a symbol each (crown, tools, megaphone, coin), 12 problem cards ("We ran out of cups.", "No one knows our stand is open.", "A customer paid too much.", "Two team members disagree.", "The sign fell down.", "We need a new product idea.").
- Introduce the four roles with one sentence each. The leader helps the team decide, the maker builds the product, the marketer finds customers, the money keeper tracks money in and out.
- Teams of four each hold one role card.
- Draw a problem card and read it aloud. Every team discusses for 30 seconds, then the player holding the matching role holds up the card.
- If teams disagree, each one explains. Some problems need two roles: a customer who paid too much needs the money keeper and the leader.
- Play 8 to 10 cards. Rotate role cards halfway so students hold a new role.
- Ask: "Which role would you want in a real business? Which role would be hardest for you?"
Differentiation: students who need support play with two roles first (maker and money keeper). Students who are ready write two new problem cards for the class. English learners can use the role symbols and the frame "This is a job for the ___."
Quick check: read "Nobody visited our booth today" and ask: "Which role leads the fix and what could they try?"
Save this activity to your library so it is ready when you need it.
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About this resource
- Shared by
- @UpOnlyLearning · Curriculum team
- Posted
- Oct 30, 2026
- Type
- Lesson plan
- Grade
- Grades 3–5
- Subject
- Business
- Language
- English
- License
- Free for classroom, co-op and tutoring use. Please don't resell.