Elementary School Program

In Junior Achievement's Elementary School Program, kindergarten through sixth-grade, children learn concepts and skills at each grade that build on those taught in preceding grades. In the primary grades, program themes emphasize family, neighborhood, community and city economics. In the upper elementary grades, program themes expand to explore regional, national and world economies.

This sequential approach is designed to show students how the market system works, its relationship to democratic values and their responsibilities in this system.  Students learn how and why people assume roles as citizens, consumers, workers and employers.

Each grade-level theme includes a variety of activities to help young students develop appropriate decision-making and workplace skills.  The concepts and skills taught are particularly relevant to their social studies classes and can be integrated with the general school curriculum.

Ourselves: Students are introduced to basic personal economic issues and the roles individuals assume as workers, consumers and family members.

Our Families: Students learn about the role of their families in the local economy, the jobs they have and their economic needs and wants.

Our Community: Activities demonstrate the responsibilities and opportunities that citizens have in their economic community.

Our City: Students conduct business operations, make city planning decisions and examine economic development issues.

Our Region: Students learn about state economies, the economic resources of regions and the decisions businesses must make.

Our Nation: Students carry out activities for operating a business in the U.S. economy, including management, marketing, production and an annual stockholders meeting.

Our World:Students examine world economic resources, learn about economic systems and engage in global trade using international currencies.