JA BizTown®JA BizTown combines in-class learning with a day-long visit to a fully-interactive, simulated town. The program helps students connect the dots between what they learn in school and the real world.
Lesson Titles and Summaries
Unit One – Community and EconomyLesson One: What Is a Community?Students learn how people are members of a community in which they live, work, share, and trade with others. They play a game to learn about the rights and responsibilities of citizens.Lesson Two: What Is an Economy?Students learn about the circular flow of an economic activity model. Through problem-based learning activities, they examine the real flow of goods, services, and resources (human, natural, and capital) between people and businesses, as well as the money flow that occurs for exchange purposes. Lesson Three: What Is Free Enterprise?Students learn about how to allocate scarce resources. Through a series of critical-thinking exercises, students recognize that resources are scarce and that people cannot have everything they want. Lesson Four: Why Do I Pay Taxes?Students learn that markets cannot provide everything that people want. As they engage in a series of hands-on learning activities to prepare them for the JA BizTown simulation, students learn that governments play an important role in an economy by providing public goods and services, paid for bytax dollars. Lesson Five: What Is Philanthropy?Students learn that philanthropic activities are an important part of the free enterprise system. Students actively participate in critical-thinking exercises as they begin to realize that people donate their “three Ws” – work, wealth, and wisdom – to help others.
Unit Two – Financial LiteracyLesson One: Why Use a Financial Institution?Students learn that financial institutions play an important role in helping money flow between people and businesses. Lesson Two: How Do I Make a Deposit?Students complete a bank account application and practice making deposits, money management, and maintaining a check register correctly.Lesson Three: How Do I Write a Check? Students learn the importance of maintaining their checking accounts. Using classroom-embellished stories about Criminal Chris and Goofy Gordan, students witness what happens when checks are bounced due to non-sufficient funds—something they will want to avoid when they participate in the JA BizTown simulation. Lesson Four: Why Open a Savings Account?Students learn the relevance of compound interest, savings, and the Rule of 72 in financial planning. Through a series of critical-thinking exercises, students learn the importance of saving and investing as key elements of financial literacy.
Unit Three – Work ReadinessLesson One: Will I Be Ready for Work?Students learn how their interests and skills can be linked to various career alternatives. Through a series of active learning strategies, students have the opportunity to practice work-related “soft skills,” which include being punctual, resolving conflict, and getting along with others. Lesson Two: Why Is Teamwork Important?Students learn the value of teamwork as they participate in several problem-based learning activities. Through a series of role-play exercises, students begin to understand the importance of conflict resolution, negotiation, and networking in the workplace, all of which play a critical role at JA BizTown.Lesson Three: How Do I Get a Job?Students learn about the various steps required to apply for and obtain a job. In addition, they engage in hands-on activities, including the completion of a job application and participation in practice job interviews. Lesson Four: How Do I Get Paid?Students learn how to understand payroll deductions to enhance their understanding of why their paycheck amount may be less than expected. The lesson explains gross and net pay, and why peoplepay taxes.
Unit Four – Business ManagementLesson One: What Is a Quality Business? Before moving into JA BizTown business teams, students spend time brainstorming the characteristics of good businesses. They are appointed to a Quality Task Committee to create a Best Practices Guide.Lesson Two: How Do Businesses Succeed?Students receive their JA BizTown job assignments and begin to work in business teams. They learn about JA BizTown business sponsors.Lesson Three: What Are Business Costs?Students learn about various factors associated with operating a business. In preparation for their visit to JA BizTown, students work in business teams to determine the components of a successful business operation. Lesson Four: Which Price Is Best?Students learn about the importance of pricing goods and services to make a profit. In preparation for their experience at JA BizTown, students work in business teams to understand factors that affect the selling price. Lesson Five: Why Advertise?Students learn about the importance of advertising as a method of marketing the goods and/or services offered by various businesses. They produce ads for their businesses. Lesson Six: What Else Should Be Prepared? Student business teams review their best practices for a quality business as they make final preparations for their visit to JA BizTown. They complete a Philanthropy Commitment Pledge to help their community.
Unit Five – After-Visit Debriefing Lesson One: What Did I Learn About Business?Students reflect on the JA BizTown experience. The debriefing yields valuable opportunities to highlight learning lessons for the students. Students evaluate their team performance and describe their experience in a business letter. Lesson Two: Did I Learn About Economics?Students realize that JA BizTown skills can be applied beyond their JA BizTown experience. They review the aspects of business management, economics, free enterprise, and the circular flow of economic activity.
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