Understanding the Departments in an Organization Business Studies JSS 1 First Term Lesson Notes Week 6

Business Studies JSS 1 First Term Lesson Notes

Subject: Business Studies
Class: JSS 1
Term: First Term
Week: 6
Age: 10-12 years
Topic: The Departments in an Office/Organization
Sub-topic: Functions of Various Departments
Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioural Objectives:

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. List the different departments in an organization.
2. Explain the functions of various departments.
3. Describe how departments work together to achieve organizational goals.

Keywords: Department, organization, functions, cooperation, teamwork

Set Induction:

The teacher asks the students if they have visited any offices or organizations and what activities they observed in different sections of the office.

Entry Behaviour:

Students are likely familiar with school departments like the administrative office and staffroom.

Learning Resources and Materials:

• Whiteboard/Chalkboard
• Markers/Chalk
• Business Studies textbook
• Organizational chart

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:

Students may have observed how different people in their school perform various tasks based on their roles (e.g., the principal, teachers, and administrative staff).

Embedded Core Skills:

• Teamwork
• Organizational skills
• Critical thinking

Learning Materials:

• Lagos State Scheme of Work (JSS 1 Business Studies)
• Business Studies textbooks

Instructional Materials:

• A diagram showing the structure of a typical office organization
• Flashcards with the names of different departments and their functions

Content:

1. Different Departments in an Organization:
   An organization is divided into different departments, each responsible for specific tasks. These departments ensure the smooth running of the organization. Some common departments include:
   • Human Resources Department (HR): This department manages employee-related issues like hiring, training, and staff welfare.
   • Finance Department: Responsible for managing the organization’s money, including budgeting, accounting, and financial planning.
   • Marketing Department: In charge of promoting the organization’s products or services to the public.
   • Production Department: Handles the production of goods and services in an organization.
   • Sales Department: Responsible for selling the organization’s products or services.
   • Customer Service Department: Ensures that customers are satisfied with the products or services provided by the organization.
   • Administration Department: Coordinates all the activities within the organization and ensures the smooth running of daily operations.
   • Research and Development Department (R&D): Responsible for improving and developing new products or services for the organization.
2. Functions of Various Departments:
   Each department in an organization has a specific function:
   • Human Resources (HR): Hiring new staff, training employees, managing salaries, and ensuring that workers are comfortable and productive.
   • Finance: Prepares financial reports, manages company funds, handles tax issues, and ensures that the organization’s finances are well managed.
   • Marketing: Creates awareness of the company’s products through advertisements, promotions, and public relations.
   • Production: Oversees the manufacturing process to ensure that products meet quality standards and are delivered on time.
   • Sales: Responsible for selling products, meeting sales targets, and developing customer relationships.
   • Customer Service: Handles complaints, feedback, and questions from customers to ensure customer satisfaction.
   • Administration: Keeps records, schedules meetings, and handles office supplies and general office management.
   • Research and Development: Develops new ideas and products to improve the company’s performance and innovation.

Evaluation (Fill in the Blank):

1. The department responsible for managing employee issues is the __ department.
   a) Finance
   b) Human Resources
   c) Sales
   d) Production
2. The __ department manages the company’s money and finances.
   a) Marketing
   b) Administration
   c) Finance
   d) HR
3. The __ department promotes the organization’s products to the public.
   a) Production
   b) Marketing
   c) Research
   d) Sales
4. The department responsible for customer complaints is __.
   a) Sales
   b) Production
   c) Customer Service
   d) Finance
5. The __ department develops new products and services.
   a) Administration
   b) Research and Development
   c) Finance
   d) Sales
6. The __ department sells the organization’s products.
   a) Sales
   b) HR
   c) Finance
   d) Research
7. The __ department ensures the smooth running of all office activities.
   a) Marketing
   b) Research
   c) Administration
   d) Sales
8. The __ department is responsible for the manufacturing of products.
   a) Finance
   b) Production
   c) Marketing
   d) Administration
9. The __ department handles employee recruitment and training.
   a) Marketing
   b) Sales
   c) Human Resources
   d) Administration
10. The __ department ensures that products meet quality standards before they are sold.
    a) Production
    b) Sales
    c) Finance
    d) Marketing

Class Activity Discussion (FAQs):

1. What is a department in an organization?
   A department is a specific section of an organization responsible for particular tasks.
2. Why do organizations have different departments?
   To divide responsibilities, improve efficiency, and ensure smooth operations.
3. What is the role of the Human Resources (HR) department?
   The HR department handles employee-related matters like hiring, training, and managing staff welfare.
4. What does the Finance department do?
   The Finance department manages the company’s money, prepares budgets, and keeps track of financial records.
5. How does the Marketing department help an organization?
   The Marketing department promotes the company’s products or services through advertisements and other promotional activities.
6. What is the role of the Production department?
   The Production department is responsible for making the organization’s products.
7. Why is the Customer Service department important?
   It handles customer complaints, feedback, and questions to ensure customer satisfaction.
8. What is the function of the Sales department?
   The Sales department is responsible for selling the organization’s products and meeting sales targets.
9. How does the Administration department contribute to an organization?
   It coordinates all office activities, keeps records, and ensures smooth daily operations.
10. What does the Research and Development department do?
    It develops new products and services and improves existing ones.

Presentation:

• Step 1: The teacher revises the previous topic on the right attitude to work.
• Step 2: The teacher introduces the new topic by explaining the meaning of departments and their functions in an organization.
• Step 3: The teacher allows the students to list departments they know and discuss how each department functions.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Explains the different departments in an organization.
• Describes the functions of each department.
• Gives examples of how departments work together in an organization.

Learners’ Activities:

• List the departments found in an organization.
• Discuss the function of each department.
• Take notes and ask questions.

Assessment (Short Answer Questions):

1. What is a department in an organization?
2. List four departments found in an organization.
3. What is the function of the Human Resources department?
4. How does the Finance department contribute to the organization?
5. What is the role of the Sales department?
6. Mention the responsibility of the Production department.
7. What does the Administration department do?
8. Why is Customer Service important in an organization?
9. Explain the function of the Research and Development department.
10. How do different departments work together in an organization?

Conclusion:

The teacher moves around the class, checking students’ work, providing corrections, and giving feedback to ensure they understand the various departments and their functions in an organization.