Programs
Imagine fifth-graders rushing to the bank to deposit their paychecks, as sales clerks creating merchandise displays, and as reporters interviewing local business leaders to get the most up-to-date story. Across the way the restaurant prepares for the lunch hour and the mayor meets with the workforce to get an understanding of current economic trends. This could be any city in the country, but it is an image that perfectly describes a day at JA City.
JA City is an actual mini-city with a City Hall, Town Square and over 15 public and private businesses. Before visiting the facility, students complete a four-week in-class curriculum where they learn basic economic skills such as how to manage their personal bank accounts. The lessons lead students through business principles, career exploration, banking procedures, business decisions, and economic terms. Everything students will need to become productive, functioning citizens is covered prior to the visit, including elections, job interviews, business plans, and loans. Jobs range from retail sales professionals, accountants, business managers, and medical professionals to TV and newspaper reporters, and even a mayor!
The JA City Fifth-Grade Program vividly illustrates the connection of hard work and tangible success while allowing students to gain a firsthand understanding and responsibility of their roles as citizens, consumers and workers in a free-market economy.
This program provides students a learning-by-doing experience that shows them how math, language arts, and social studies apply in real life. The JA City Fifth-Grade Program correlates to state standards and benchmarks.
Local Businesses include
- Bank
- Restaurant
- TV and Radio Station
- Wellness Center
- Real Estate
- City Hall
- Public Utilities
- Newspaper
- Print Shop
- Car Dealership
Concepts
- Banking
- Business
- Careers
- Citizenship
- Competition
- Consumers
- Demand
- Employment
- Marketing
- Resources
- Saving
Skills
- Analysis
- Applying information
- Budgeting
- Critical thinking
- Decisions-making
- Planning
- Problem-solving
- Taking Responsibility
- Teamwork
Program Components
- Training:
Teachers, parents and volunteers are trained to guide students through activities.
- Curriculum:
A comprehensive six-week classroom curriculum prepares students for a day as consumers, employees and citizens.
- Visit:
Students travel to Junior Achievement City to apply their classroom learning through the operation of the City.
- Back in the classroom:
A two-week curriculum allows students to reflect upon their experiences and discuss the flow of goods, labor and money.
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