Inside the IB: Grade 4 Business Fair

An inside look at the International Baccalaureate curriculum in an International School of Indiana classroom

Students at the International School of Indiana (ISI) participate in a universal International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, meaning every student, from our youngest learners to our seniors, engages in the holistic course of study that most U.S. schools reserve for only their top five percent of students or fewer. Students aged 3 through grade 5 participate in the first of three IB programmes taught at ISI, the Primary Years Programme (PYP).

The PYP Framework

The PYP offers an inquiry-based, transdisciplinary curriculum framework that builds conceptual understanding. The PYP has evolved to become a world leader in future-focused education. It is an example of the best educational practices globally, responding to the challenges and opportunities facing young students in our rapidly changing world. 

The PYP curriculum framework begins with the premise that students are agents of their own learning and partners in the learning process. It prioritizes people and their relationships to build a strong learning community.

Inside a Grade 4 Classroom

ISI grade 4 students have been working on their unit, How We Organize Ourselves: Businesses arise and evolve to meet the needs of the community. The unit works as an inquiry into the interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities, the structure and function of organizations, societal decision-making, economic activities, and their impact on humankind and the environment. 

Throughout their time at ISI, students revisit the How We Organize Ourselves unit with different, age-appropriate depth and breadth. In grade 4, students spend the unit delving into the world of businesses, exploring their origins, transformations, and integral roles in our communities. 

During this unit, ISI grade 4 students explored three exciting lines of inquiry:

• Different Types of Businesses - Students embarked on a journey exploring a myriad of businesses, understanding their core operations, and identifying the variety of needs they address within our society.
• The Evolution of a Business - Through a historical lens, students traced the evolution of select businesses, understanding factors that influenced their transformations and the reasons behind their adaptability.
• The Responsibility of a Business to its Community - Central to this inquiry is the exploration of ethical considerations and the responsibilities businesses hold toward their communities beyond just profits.

ISI grade 4 students’ learning through the unit continuously ties back to the same central idea across different subjects. Our teachers incorporate hands-on and interactive activities into their daily instruction to provide young learners with a variety of opportunities to explore and understand these fundamental concepts in fun and engaging ways. 

Major Project: Integrating Economics and Creativity at the Business Fair

Grade 4 students embarked on an entrepreneurial journey through their Business Fair project, brilliantly blending social studies standards with practical business skills. Throughout this project, students explored key economic concepts such as supply and demand, the importance of budgeting and financial planning, and the dynamics of the marketplace.

Engaging in activities like creating a product with a detailed business plan, students learned the intricacies of entrepreneurship. They delved into the process of designing, marketing, and selling a product, understanding the responsibilities and challenges of running a business. The project also included elements of market research and understanding consumer behavior, allowing students to adapt their products based on feedback and suggestions.

Furthermore, the project emphasized community interaction and responsibility, encouraging students to consider the impact of businesses on their local communities. Through this hands-on experience, students not only developed a deeper understanding of economic principles but also honed their problem-solving, critical thinking, and creative skills, setting a solid foundation for their future academic and professional endeavors.

Other class activities included: 

• Growth of social skills and formulating questions - Students had the opportunity to interview local business owners, inquiring about parts of the business that interest each individual.
• Creating real-world connections - Students take an in-depth look at the businesses in their communities and the effect they can have on the people around them. This real-world application deepens understanding and curiosity. 
• Exploring fractions and decimals in practical contexts - Our grade 4 students delved into the world of fractions and decimals, applying these concepts to real-life scenarios. They worked on finding equivalent fractions and comparing fractions using models, which helped them visualize and understand the relationships between different fractions. This was especially useful in understanding business concepts like market share and financial divisions. 

Want to learn more about the IB curriculum and what sets ISI apart from other schools? Schedule a personal tour or sign up for an Info Session today!