JA BizTown: Homeschool Edition - March 2, 2016

What is JA BizTown?

They are not old enough to drive, work, date, or be the boss but thousands of students in  fourth through seventh grade will have the opportunity to run banks, manage restaurants, read utility meters, write checks, and even vote.

JA BizTown is JA Worldwide’s site-based, elementary school program. It combines in-class learning with a day-long visit to JA BizTown. It is a fully interactive, true-to-life, simulated town where students learn the fundamental relationship between academics and life beyond school.

Walking around JA BizTown writing checks, applying for bank loans, and assuming the role of a CEO, CFO, or radio station disc jockey may feel like fun and games for the students, but the fact is, JA BizTown puts the game of life into serious context for kids by helping them connect the dots between what they learn in school and how financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship – the economics of life – play out in the real world.

The JA BizTown program begins with a curriculum that encompasses financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship while providing a strong focus on social studies, reading, writing, and mathematics skills. The curriculum aligns with state education standards and is delivered by the students’ teacher. Students study the rights and responsibilities of citizenship as well as the circular flow of goods, services, and resources in an economy. Through a series of critical thinking exercises, they realize that resources are often scarce and learn the important distinction between wants and needs. They come head-to-head with taxes as they learn how government administers tax dollars to support public goods and services. They also learn how people donate their “three Ws” – work, wealth, and wisdom – while exploring philanthropy and its role in the community.

But for students to fully understand how all these concepts play out in the real world, especially when they visit JA BizTown, they are asked to think from two perspectives: that of the consumer and that of the business person. As consumers, they receive a paycheck and a checkbook, and must balance their checkbook register while making deposits and writing checks to purchase items. They also handle JA BizTown cash and, hopefully, make good decisions with their money.

As business people, they are responsible for managing staff, working as a team, accounting for business expenses, and juggling their professional and personal responsibilities. Business assignments for this special Homeschool Edition will be arranged by the local JA staff and students will attend a special session to complete business preparation.

When the JA BizTown curriculum has been completed, students go to JA BizTown for the day-long, hands-on experience. Once there, the fun begins and learning occurs. Through the JA BizTown experience, they quickly see how success in the workplace means showing up on time and getting along with other people. And for those playing the role of a business owner, the challenge is to pay their business expenses and still take in enough money to make a profit.

Click on the link below to see a video about JA BizTown.

 - Video Link -

Program Requirements

Each student will need to be taught a series of lessons to prepare them for their experience. Lessons can be taught at the student's pace, but must be completed prior to the March 4th visit experience. Educator Materials for this specific program experience are available for $20 per teacher. Guides may be shared within homeschools/groups/organizations.