"A Mighty Mouse"Introduction
In this lesson students will read about the business and management
structures of a conglomerate, and they will see that a conglomerate
must stay focused on its future goals to grow. Lesson
Description
Students will use information from the DisneyOnline Web site
to read the company's annual report. Students will read the
CEO's letter and browse through the report to answer four
questions. They will then use what they have learned to write
letters to the shareholders regarding their visions for the
company's next ten years. Previous
Knowledge Expected
conglomerate: a large corporation made up of smaller
corporations dealing in unrelated businesses Applied
Content Standards (from the National Council on Economic Education)Standard 10: Institutions evolve in market economies
to help individuals and groups accomplish their goals. Banks,
labor unions, corporations, legal systems, and not-for-profit
organizations are examples of important institutions. A different
kind of institution, clearly defined and well-enforced property
rights, is essential to a market economy. Instructional Objectives
- Students will understand the business and management structures
of a conglomerate and the many businesses comprising a conglomerate.
- Students will be able to review an annual report from a
corporation to gain important financial information about
that company.
- Students will use this knowledge to imagine they are the
CEO of the corporation and write letters to the shareholders
for the annual report.
Student Web Activity Answers
1-4. Answers will vary.
5. Students' letters will vary, but they should include information concerning the growth of business segments, competitive concerns, and acquisitions. | 
