JA Our Community®

JA Our Community curriculum cover

Elementary School
Implementation:
Classroom Based

Pillars of Student Success
Work Readiness High Work Readiness
Financial Literacy Moderate Financial Literacy
Entrepreneurship Minimal Entrepreneurship
Program Overview
JA Our Community introduces students to the intersection of work readiness and early elementary grades social studies learning objectives, including how citizens benefit from and contribute to a community's success.

Following participation in the program, students will be able to:

-Describe a community.
-Identify the variety of careers people have in a community and how each job requires specific skills.
-Identify how business and government jobs help a community.
-Explain how taxation supports government services.
-Recognize voting as a way responsible citizens act.
-Describe the flow of money in a community's economy.

Program Basics

Includes a series of five sessions recommended for students in second grade.
-Average time for each session is 40 minutes.
-Materials are packaged in a self-contained kit that includes detailed plans for the volunteer and materials for 30 students.
-Students develop a sense of career awareness and how all jobs help a community.
-Session-specific, age-appropriate materials increase student interaction and emphasize JA's experiential approach to learning.
-Correlates to state social studies, English, and math standards, as well as to the Common Core State Standards in English language arts and mathematics.

Program Concepts

Businesses, Careers, Citizenship, Coins, Community, Government, Innovation, Jobs, Production, Goods and services, Needs and wants, Skills, Taxes, Voting

Skills Students Learn

  • Creativity
  • Critical thinking
  • Collaboration
  • Decision making
  • Idea development
  • Making choices
  • Map reading
  • Problem solving
  • Role-playing
  • Speaking and listening
  • Teamwork

Program Resources

Alignment with State and National Standards

Common Core Standards

For those states that follow common core standards, Junior Achievement’s curricula have been reviewed for alignment with these standards! Learn more by selecting the appropriate grade level below.

National Standards

While educational standards are determined primarily at the state level, many national standards serve as guidelines for the development of these state standards. See how Junior Achievement curricula align with the national standards listed below.

State Standards

Junior Achievement curricula are created to align with state standards. To see how our programs align with your state’s standards, explore the options below.

Scope and Sequence

Junior Achievement learning experiences cover financial literacy, career and work readiness, and entrepreneurship. Our extensive scope and sequence helps explain how our programs cover these subjects at various grade levels.

Request a Presenter to Teach Curriculum

A Junior Achievement Volunteer teaches students
Junior Achievement lessons are delivered by volunteers from the community. These presenters are prepared by JA to facilitate engaging learning activities that focus on financial literacy, work and career readiness, and entrepreneurship. This results in an enriched learning experience that helps students make the connection between what they learn in school and the world outside the classroom.

Steps to Request a Presenter

1) Request Info

Once you’ve decided to have a JA volunteer in your classroom, fill out the form on this website. You will receive information on next steps.

2) Pick Schedule

You will be able to coordinate a schedule that works for your class either online or in conjunction with a JA representative.

3) Meet Presenter

Once a volunteer is identified for your class, JA will connect you with the presenter to discuss roles, expectations, and logistics.

4) Empower Students with Standards-Based Education

After all details are in place, the JA volunteer will deliver lessons to your students either virtually or in-person.

Request Information about this Learning Experience



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