Richard Benjamin Harrison Jr., known as Richard Benjamin, is a prominent American television personality and entrepreneur. He was born on March 4, 1941, and passed away on June 25, 2018. As a co-founder of the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas and a main cast member on the TV show “Pawn Stars,” he had a significant influence on popular culture. Educators looking to educate their students about his life and contributions will find useful advice in this article.
Lesson Plans
1. Introduction to Richard Benjamin
Begin by giving students an overview of Richard Benjamin’s life and work. This lesson can cover his early life, career, and achievements. Supplementary materials such as documentaries or articles will help provide context for students.
2. The Gold & Silver Pawn Shop
Students should learn about Richard’s role in founding and managing the famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas. Discuss the impact that it has had not only on Richard’s life but also on the broader pawn industry.
3. The TV Show “Pawn Stars”
Introduce students to the show “Pawn Stars” which features Richard Benjamin, his son Rick Harrison, grandson Corey Harrison, and family friend Austin “Chumlee” Russell. Show clips from the show, specifically highlighting episodes involving Richard, to give them an understanding of his unique character and expertise in the pawn world.
4. Popular Culture Influence
Discuss how “Pawn Stars” helped bring awareness about pawn shops to mainstream media and how it contributed to dispelling common misconceptions about the industry. Engage your students in a conversation about reality television and its effects on public opinion.
5. Entrepreneurship Lessons from Richard Benjamin’s Life
This is an opportunity to engage students in understanding entrepreneurship concepts by analyzing some examples from Richard Benjamin’s entrepreneurial journey with Gold & Silver Pawn Shop. This can cover risk-taking, perseverance, market analysis, and the importance of family and mentoring in building a successful business.
6. Legacy and Impact
Ask your students to think critically about Richard Benjamin’s life and discuss how his legacy would live on. Encourage them to appreciate the contributions he made not only to the pawn industry but also as a public figure who had a significant influence on popular culture.
Classroom Activities
1. Research Project
Encourage students to do independent research on Richard Benjamin and present their findings in the form of a written report or multimedia presentation.
2. Role Play Activity
Assign roles related to Richard Benjamin’s life story or the pawn industry in general (e.g., Richard Benjamin, Rick Harrison, Chumlee), and have students act out scenes showcasing major events from his life or core business principles.
3. Debate
Organize a debate about the impact of reality TV shows, like “Pawn Stars,” on viewers’ perceptions of pawn shops within ethical boundaries.
Conclusion
Teaching students about Richard Benjamin can be engaging while offering valuable lessons related to entrepreneurship, popular culture, and critical thinking. By incorporating the lesson plans and activities outlined above into their curriculum, educators can effectively introduce students to this influential personality while fostering important discussions on broader concepts.
