Introduction:Curriculum Overview

The Business Education 8 to 10 IRP describes part of a curriculum that spans Kindergarten to Grade 12. Business Education 8 to 10 provides a bridge between the Kindergarten to Grade 7 business education curriculum and learning outcomes prescribed for senior business education courses.

In the Business Education 8 to 10 curriculum, students will have opportunities to:

develop and apply appropriate business skills
further develop skills in using technology to produce business communications
understand the impact of technological change on business
understand how business responds to social, economic, and geographic diversity
enhance their abilities in creative and critical thinking, problem solving, team building, and leadership
understand the basics of finance and business management
understand and apply basic economic principles
examine the process of marketing and its relevance to successful business ventures
characterize, explore, and engage in entrepreneurial activity
investigate occupations and job opportunities in a range of businesses

These learning experiences will help students understand the interconnectedness of jobs, work, and the individual's place in the national and global economy. They will also provide students with practical skills that they can apply in their daily lives, now and in the future, and enhance students' employability skills.

The Business Education K to 12 Overview chart provides 'snapshots' of learning in business education by grade cluster. These snapshots are not the prescribed curriculum and are intended only as descriptions of some of the more salient aspects of learning in business education. They are meant to give the teacher a sense of the gradual shift in curriculum focus from the personal to business spheres as students move from Kindergarten through Grade 12.

Business Education K to 12 Overview
Grades K to 3
Students become aware that transactions are all around them. They begin to understand the role of business communication in their lives and explore technology as a helpful tool. Students identify jobs done by individuals and groups in their schools and communities. They use money as a medium of exchange and understand business from a personal perspective.
In grades K to 3, students' learning includes opportunities to:

look at business technology tools used in the home and school
make choices independently and in groups about which technologies to use for particular tasks
participate in the collection, organization, and presentation of financial information
practise respectful communication when carrying out personal transactions
talk about some elements of the marketplace
Grades 4 to 7
Students gain an understanding of the personal, community, and global nature of effective business communication using a variety of methods. Students begin to appreciate the impact that business transactions have on individuals and society. They become more proficient at gathering, organizing, and presenting information using business tools to identify and understand problems and to generate possible solutions.
In grades 4 to 7, students' learning includes opportunities to:

work with simple business forms and types of record keeping
use computers and touch keyboarding for business communication
understand the roles of consumers and business in the economy
look at entrepreneurial activity and explore its role in an economy
expand their understanding of tools of exchange and currencies
investigate the potential of advertising in marketing
explore the contribution of public, private, and not-for-profit activities

Grades 8 to 10
Students become increasingly sophisticated in their use of business technology. They reach a higher level of performance in business literacy and learn about social responsibility in the world of work. They consider cultural, ethical, and legal implications of applied business practices.
In grades 8 to 10, students' learning includes opportunities to:

use a variety of business technologies, including software, to conduct research and to solve business problems
model ethical and acceptable behaviour when engaged in business communication and when making business transactions
strive for a high level of proficiency using an alphanumeric keyboard for business communication
use interpersonal and teamwork skills in business opportunities and in resolving business problems
explore the financial requirements and obligations associated with establishing and operating a small business
design and produce business plans to market products, services, or ideas
provide examples of entrepreneurial activity

Grades 11 and 12
Students make use of sophisticated tools to increase and refine their skills and knowledge while solving complex and varied business problems. They prepare for postsecondary and employment opportunities through meaningful activities within their school and community. In this way, students grasp the relevance of employability skills and the significance of their business education experience.
In grades 11 and 12, depending upon the courses selected, students' learning includes opportunities to:

investigate the potential of the Internet to identify and explore business opportunities
understand the integration of business technologies and their use in the workplace
analyse and demonstrate personal skills applicable to a business setting
develop high levels of proficiency in using alphanumeric keyboards for business communication
explore marketing as it applies to organizations and individual initiatives, locally and globally
carry out accounting procedures and practices using industry-standard software
understand and appreciate the contribution of entrepreneurial activity to the economy

**Business Education K to 12 Overview**
Grades K to 3 Students become aware that transactions are all around them. They begin to understand the role of business communication in their lives and explore technology as a helpful tool. Students identify jobs done by individuals and groups in their schools and communities. They use money as a medium of exchange and understand business from a personal perspective.	In grades K to 3, students' learning includes opportunities to: look at business technology tools used in the home and school make choices independently and in groups about which technologies to use for particular tasks participate in the collection, organization, and presentation of financial information practise respectful communication when carrying out personal transactions talk about some elements of the marketplace
Grades 4 to 7 Students gain an understanding of the personal, community, and global nature of effective business communication using a variety of methods. Students begin to appreciate the impact that business transactions have on individuals and society. They become more proficient at gathering, organizing, and presenting information using business tools to identify and understand problems and to generate possible solutions.	In grades 4 to 7, students' learning includes opportunities to: work with simple business forms and types of record keeping use computers and touch keyboarding for business communication understand the roles of consumers and business in the economy look at entrepreneurial activity and explore its role in an economy expand their understanding of tools of exchange and currencies investigate the potential of advertising in marketing explore the contribution of public, private, and not-for-profit activities
Grades 8 to 10 Students become increasingly sophisticated in their use of business technology. They reach a higher level of performance in business literacy and learn about social responsibility in the world of work. They consider cultural, ethical, and legal implications of applied business practices.	In grades 8 to 10, students' learning includes opportunities to: use a variety of business technologies, including software, to conduct research and to solve business problems model ethical and acceptable behaviour when engaged in business communication and when making business transactions strive for a high level of proficiency using an alphanumeric keyboard for business communication use interpersonal and teamwork skills in business opportunities and in resolving business problems explore the financial requirements and obligations associated with establishing and operating a small business design and produce business plans to market products, services, or ideas provide examples of entrepreneurial activity
Grades 11 and 12 Students make use of sophisticated tools to increase and refine their skills and knowledge while solving complex and varied business problems. They prepare for postsecondary and employment opportunities through meaningful activities within their school and community. In this way, students grasp the relevance of employability skills and the significance of their business education experience.	In grades 11 and 12, depending upon the courses selected, students' learning includes opportunities to: investigate the potential of the Internet to identify and explore business opportunities understand the integration of business technologies and their use in the workplace analyse and demonstrate personal skills applicable to a business setting develop high levels of proficiency in using alphanumeric keyboards for business communication explore marketing as it applies to organizations and individual initiatives, locally and globally carry out accounting procedures and practices using industry-standard software understand and appreciate the contribution of entrepreneurial activity to the economy

Revised: October 29, 1997

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