Grade 4 Entrepreneurs: Turning Classroom Lessons into Real-World Change

Written by Sophie Pinard, Intern, Class of 2022

ISP prepares students to contribute responsibly to the changing world. This winter, Grade 4 students transformed from curious students into competent entrepreneurs and compassionate changemakers.

The journey began with curiosity. Leading up to the winter break, Grade 4 students embarked on a dynamic PYP Market Unit. Students gained inspiration from the real world by visiting local Christmas Markets for the festive feel and to conduct product research. Students interviewed the stall owners to gain insights into how stalls are set up, which products sell the best, and how they decide on the price. 

This sparked their creativity as they moved into the design phase, tasked with creating unique items that were not only desirable but also sustainable. True competence is built through community. In a wonderful display of ISP’s collaborative spirit, the Grade 4 entrepreneurs partnered with Grade 12 Business students.

This mentorship allowed the younger students to pitch their ideas, Shark Tank style, and receive critical feedback to refine their products. This inter-grade connection bridged the gap between Elementary and Upper School, reinforcing a culture of shared learning.

The culmination of this hard work was the Grade 4 Market, generating over 30,000 CZK in sales. However, the true measure of success wasn't the revenue, but the purpose behind it.

“Students used their creative-thinking skills to develop sustainable products, with proceeds going to Dobrý Anděl.”

Jennifer Johnson, Grade 4 Teacher

All sales generated were dedicated to Dobrý Anděl (Good Angel), a charitable organisation founded by Petr Sýkora and Jan Černý that provides critical financial aid to families facing serious illness.

To deepen the students' understanding of their impact, Petr Sýkora visited ISP on the 21st of January. He didn't just thank the students, he engaged them in a dialogue about empathy and the nature of altruism.

He left the students with a profound definition of what it means to be a compassionate global citizen:

“What constitutes giving? It is giving the right thing to the right person at the right time without expecting anything back.”

Petr Sýkora, Co-Founder of Dobrý Anděl

By combining business concepts with a heart for service, these Grade 4 students have proven that you are never too young to make a difference. They are not just learning for the future, they are learning for the future by being responsible changemakers.