One activity you can do to gauge students’ prior knowledge about small scale industries is to conduct a brainstorming session. Here’s how you can organize it:

1. Divide the students into small groups of 3-4 members.
2. Provide each group with a large sheet of paper and markers.
3. Ask the groups to write down as many small scale industries as they can think of within a given time frame (e.g., 5 minutes).
4. Encourage them to think beyond the obvious industries and consider various sectors such as manufacturing, food processing, handicrafts, etc.
5. After the time is up, ask each group to share their list with the rest of the class.
6. As they share, write down the industries mentioned on the board or a shared document visible to everyone.
7. Facilitate a discussion by asking questions like:
   • Which industries were mentioned the most? Why do you think that is?
   • Were there any industries that surprised you or that you hadn’t considered before?
   • Can you think of any examples of small scale industries that have been successful in your local area or country?
   • What are some challenges that small scale industries face?
8. Summarize the discussion by highlighting the key points and common themes that emerged.
9. Conclude the activity by explaining that this was just a starting point to assess their prior knowledge, and throughout the course, they will learn more about small scale industries, their significance, challenges, and opportunities.

This activity will not only help you understand the students’ existing knowledge but also encourage them to think critically and engage in a discussion about small scale industries.