Posted in My Homeschool FAQs

My kids started Jr. Achievement yesterday through our homeschool group.  This is a fantastic FREE program. 

What is JA?

Junior Achievement uses hands-on experiences to help young people understand the economics of life. In partnership with business and educators, Junior Achievement brings the real world to students, opening their minds to their potential.

Here is what my Kindergartner is learning:
Story time and small children. JA uses compelling stories about helping, working, earning, and saving along with hands-on activities to engage the students.

Ourselves introduces the economic roles of individuals.

Ourselves^® uses compelling stories read aloud by the volunteer, along with hands-on activities, to demonstrate helping, working, earning, and saving. Five required, volunteer-led activities.

Concepts–Barter, Benefit, Buying, Choices, Consumer, Costs, Earning, Entrepreneurs, Giving, Goods, Incentives, Income, Money, Resources, Rewards, Saving, Scarcity, Selling, Spending, Voluntary exchange, Wants, Work

Skills–Abstract thinking, Coin recognition, Coin valuation, Decision-making, Drawing, Following directions, Interpreting information, Listening responsively, Matching, Responsibility, Sequencing, Teamwork

Here is what my 7th Grader is learning:
Is economics relevant? Because money, labor, and goods and services flow through individuals in households, each one of us plays a role in the economy. JA classroom volunteers reveal how students’ decisions about education, careers, spending, and investing impact their economic role in society.

Personal Economics focuses on personal skills and interests, career options, and personal and family financial management.

Personal Economics^® focuses on skills and interests, career options, and personal and family financial management, while lesson plans reveal how students’ decisions about education, careers, spending, and investing affect their economic role in society. Eight required, volunteer-led activities.

Concepts–Budgets, Careers, Choices, Credit, Demand, Employment, Exchange, Expenses, Income, Investment, Jobs, Markets, Money, Opportunity costs, Price, Saving, Stock, Supply

Skills–Analyzing situations, Budgeting, Charting, Critical thinking, Decision-making, Filling out forms, Interpreting information, Interviewing, Math computation, Problem-solving, Teamwork

Click HERE to read an overview of the Elementary Programs.

Click HERE to read an overview of the Middle School Programs

Click HERE to find a JA near you!