JA More than Money®

JA More than Money<sup>®</sup>

JA More than Money introduces third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students to financial literacy and entrepreneurship, and to social studies learning objectives that include money-management skills, goods and services, and global markets. Through hands-on activities and a JA cast of characters serving as symbols for financial literacy and entrepreneurship concepts, students will learn a practical approach to starting a business and making smart decisions about managing money.

Following participation in the program, students will be able to:
  • Identify the role of money in everyday life.
  • Think like entrepreneurs and identify a small business they can start.
  • Learn the basic steps of starting a business.
  • Consider the advantages and disadvantages of borrowing money.
  • Explore the opportunities of global markets.
The program is volunteer-taught and kit-based, and can be implemented either Classroom-Based or JA AfterSchool. It includes five 45-minute sessions, with additional extended learning activities and optional digital assets offered throughout.
 
Pillars of Student Success Entrepreneurship:  Financial-Literacy:  Work-Readiness: 
Program Implementation Program Grade-Level
Classroom-Based Elementary School
Program Concepts Program Skills
Advertising, bank account, business, business loan, business plan, consumer, deposit, earn, employee, entrepreneur, ethics, expenses, exports, financial institutions, goods and services, identify personal interests and goals, imports, income, market research, money, money management, opportunity cost, profit, skills, withdrawal, work environment Ask relevant questions and listen for information, comparing and contrasting, computation, consider how to turn ideas into realities, consider personal traits and interests, deductive reasoning, empathy, following directions, matching and classifying, presentation, problem solving, reading and following directions, self-employed, teamwork, think and work cooperatively, think critically, use vocabulary in a meaningful way

Program Sessions

Session One: The Money Garden

Students explore money-management skills and become familiar with the key differences between earning, saving, and spending. They learn that money can be saved in a financial institution, such as a bank or a credit union, and how that money can earn interest.

Session Two: Create a Business

Students learn about the ways in which people's interests and skills can help them identify small businesses they can start.

Session Three: Build a Business

Students identify the fundamental steps for starting a small business and develop a basic business plan.

Session Four: Run a Business

Students explain why financial institutions lend money and why people borrow money for their businesses. Students learn about the advantages and disadvantages of borrowing money, including the need to make interest payments. They record and track financial gains and losses in a simulated environment.

Session Five: Global Success

Students explore the opportunities and challenges of global markets.

Program Resources