Economics and Business: Teach Entrepreneurship with the Pursuit of Happyness

The preview includes only 2 of the 8 questions that the students are to fill out while watching the movie.

Before watching the movie, students complete the handout titled "Entrepreneurs," which explains a one-page quick write that students are to write regarding their chosen entrepreneur.

Students then watch the hit movie "Pursuit of Happyness" in class. This movie is connected to capitalist entrepreneurs because Chris Gardner, after being hired by a brokerage firm, started his own brokerage firm called "Gardner Rich and Co." Students complete a handout during the movie (answer key included).

After the movie has concluded, students use the handout "Chris Gardner or...?" to make an argument for which entrepreneur is more inspirational/overcame more obstacles on his/her way to success.

As your class finishes each of the activities, allow some time for a class discussion on how the entrepreneurs overcame adversity, and how students can find connections to their own lives. The big picture idea is how the American entrepreneurial spirit has been instrumental in America's business/economic success.

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