Contact:
Kortney CastlemanJunior Achievement of Northern Indiana
kortney.castleman@ja.org
(260) 484-2543
2021 JA Remote Learning Programs:
Home-Based Edition
We are excited to offer remote learning JA programs to homeschool and remote learning students for the 2020-2021 school year! The remote learning JA programs offered here are an ALTERNATIVE to the 2021 JA In A Day "Homeschool Edition" event. For more information on JA In A Day "Homeschool Edition," please click here.
The remote learning programs will be led by a parent with a recorded volunteer component, meaning the parent will be delivering the JA program at their own pace with the support of volunteer video recordings.
Student materials will be mailed by March 8th, 2021. You are free to begin the program as soon as your materials arrive. Parents will use digital materials, including a Volunteer Guide, to lead the program. Links to volunteer video recordings will be provided.
Cost: Non-refundable fee of $5 per student, max fee $25 per family for program materials and shipping
Registration Deadline: Monday, February 22, 2021
Who We Are: Junior Achievement USA® is the world's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students in pre-kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. Last year, Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana served over 129,000 students in 30 counties (27 in northern Indiana, two in Michigan, and one in Ohio).
Curriculum:
With a remote learning method, we are able to offer more program options than ever!
Elementary Programs
For specific information about Pre-K through 5th grade programming please click on the links below.
Secondary Programs
For specific information middle and high school grade programming please click on the links below.
Middle School - JA Global Marketplace®
Middle School - JA Economics for Success®
Middle School - JA It's My Business®
Q & A:
Q: What is my committment as a parent educator?
A: Your role is to play the recorded videos and follow the directions provided for each session. You will lead your students in a discussion and activities including the summary and review using the guidebook and materials provided by Junior Achievement.
Q: How long will the program take?
A: JA programs consists of five to seven sessions, depending on the grade level. For Pre-K through 1st grade, each session takes about 30 minutes. For 2nd through 12th grade, each session takes about 45 minutes. You may choose to complete the program in one day, or over the course of several days or weeks. The pacing of the program is up to you.
Q: Will I be trained on how to effectively deliver the JA program?
A: You will watch a short training video that gives an overview of your role as a parent educator that should answer any questions you may have. If you are still uneasy about leading the JA program after watching the training video, we can schedule a phone call or Zoom meeting with a JA staff member to answer any additional questions.
You will be receiving digital versions of the Volunteer guide and any other posters, maps, or charts that are typically displayed in the classroom. You will also receive an Educator Cheat Sheet, which includes links to the volunteer videos and directions on when to play the videos for each session.
Q: How do I decide which grade level to pick for my student?
A: Typically, you would choose the grade level in which your student is currently enrolled. If your student is between grade levels and has not participated in a JA program previously, you may choose to select the grade level most appropriate for his or her age, or you may contact Kortney Castleman (kortney.castleman@ja.org) or Ashley Adamson (ashley.adamson@ja.org) at (260) 484-2543 for help in deciding what program would be the best fit for your student.
Q: I have multiple students. Can I enroll them in the same program so they can complete it together even if one or more of them would be outside of their grade level?
A: For elementary-age students, we recommend enrolling your student in a program that is designed for students at their grade level, or no more than one grade above or below their current grade level. For example, if you have a student in 1st grade, it would be appropriate to enroll them in the Kindergarten program, 1st grade program, or the 2nd grade program.
For middle and high school-age students, the program curriculum is more flexible. A high school student and a middle school student receiving the same program would both benefit.
Keep in mind that if you enroll a student in a program that is outside of their grade level recommendation and they have attended JA In A Day "Homeschool Edition" previously, they may receive a program they have had in the past. Likewise, if your child plans to attend JA In A Day "Homeschool Edition" in the future, they may also receive a repeat program. For help in deciding if you should enroll more than one student in the same program, you may contact Kortney Castleman (kortney.castleman@ja.org) or Ashley Adamson (ashley.adamson@ja.org) at (260) 484-2543.
Q: How do I ensure my student doesn't receive the same program they received last year?
A: Students who attended the 2020 JA In A Day "Homeschool Edition" receieved the following programs:
Pre-K - Our Money
K - JA Ourselves®
1st - JA Our Families®
2nd - JA Our Communities®
3rd - JA Our City®
4th - JA Our Region®
5th - JA Our Nation®
6th - JA Global Marketplace®
7th - JA Economics for Success®
8th-12th - JA It's My Future®
Q: Are JA programs as valuable in an individual student setting as they are in a classroom setting?
A: Although JA programs are designed for students in a classroom setting, they can be equally as valuable when delivered in an individual student setting. Activities that are designed for students to complete in small or large groups can be completed individually or can be modified slightly and still achieve the learning objectives.
Q: What do I do when I finish the program?
A: A JA staff member will be checking in with you about two weeks after the materials have been sent to see if you have started the program, how it's going, and if you need anything from us. We will continue to periodically check in with you until you complete the program. When you finish the program, please email the JA staff member. It is important that we know when you complete the program for our records and so that we can send you an evaluation.
Q: How else can I get involved with JA?
A: We will also be holding a special Homeschool Day on Wednesday, March 3rd at our JA BizTown® and JA Finance Park® facilities upon completion of their respective programs. Please click on the appropriate hyperlink below for more information:
JA BizTown Homeschool Day--meant for students in grade levels 4th-6th
JA Finance Park Homeschool Day--meant for students in grade levels 7th-12th
Other programs of interest to Homeschool Families:
Lemonade Day--Saturday, May 15, 2021. This program is FREE and meant for students of all ages. Registration opens in January 2021.
JA Young Entrepreneur Summer Camp--Week of June 21-25, 2021. Open to students that will have finished grades 5 - 7. Registration opening soon!
JA Young Entrepreneur Marketplace--Date to be announced soon! Open to young entrepreneurs up to age 21 that would like a venue to sell their products or services to the public. For more information, contact Karen Cooper at the JA Office at (260) 484-2543.
We are always looking for volunteers to help with our standard weekly in-school classes, other JA In A Day classes, and JA BizTown® and JA Finance Park® programs. For more information about volunteering and participating in our fundraisers, please visit our website at www.jani.org.