Our Nation   -    5th Grade Our Nation examines how businesses operate in the United States. Students role-play business ownership, interview for jobs, and learn different methods of production while exploring various economic issues that affect business. Five required, volunteer-led activities. The key learning objectives listed beside each activity state the skills and knowledge students will gain. A Correlation Between  Pennsylvania Academic Standards and Junior Achievement's "Our Nation" Program     Activity One: Three Forms of Business Students learn what business is and how it has developed throughout U.S. history.  They study the common forms of business organization in the United States today. Key Learning Objectives Students will be able to: define business and other key business terms. business terms. describe the development of business in the United States. identify the three common forms of business organization. Activity Two: Business Resources Students learn about the importance of human resources to a business. They discover the factors that influence one’s ability to obtain work, and they practice interviewing skills. Key Learning Objectives Students will be able to: identify resources as natural, human, and capital. list qualities employers look for in their employees. recognize the steps necessary to get a job. compare and contrast a good interview with a bad interview. Activity Three: Production Students are introduced to three methods of production and demonstrate two of them by constructing pens. They develop an understanding of how different production strategies affect productivity, product quality, and profit. Key Learning Objectives Students will be able to: compare advantages and disadvantages of unit, mass, and batch production methods. simulate unit and mass production methods. recognize the importance of high rates, productivity, and high quality standards to the success of a business. Activity Four: Advertising Students learn about the importance of advertising. They evaluate how advertisements are targeted to specific audiences. Key Learning Objectives Students will be able to: understand why businesses advertise. identify different types of advertisements.   Activity Five: Entrepreneurs Students become entrepreneurs and formulate a business plan for their new business. Key Learning Objectives Students will be able to: identify the four Ps of marketing. list the key elements of a business plan. develop a plan for a business that provides either a good or a service.

Comments from Teachers about the program:            

• Our volunteer did an excellent job teaching my class.  He made the curriculum fun and the kids enjoyed learning about businesses.  He brought real life experiences and examples to the class.  The kids related well to him and enjoyed his teaching style.
• Our volunteer was very friendly and enthusiastic.  This was her first time presenting.  I think she will improve with additional opportunities to present.
• Very knowledgeable. Able to present at the student’s level.  Opportunities for hand-on experiences.
• Our volunteer was well prepared and did a great job.  I like scheduling the five lessons within a two to three week period between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  The kids remember the vocabulary and previous lessons more easily and we finish JA before starting DARE in February that way.
•  Excellent.  The volunteer was very positive and informative with the class.  He knew his material very well and kept the lesson moving.  These lessons related well with our social studies curriculum.
• Nice job presenting.  Students had fun.
•  Our volunteer made time to come in before JA started to go over lessons, etc.----was very flexible in terms of scheduling days to come into our room . . . excellent job working with this age group.. . . well prepared and would preview what was ahead for the next class.  Thank you very much for this worthwhile opportunity.  The students enjoyed themselves, and it was information that could apply to them in their every day world.
• My volunteer did a great job of familiarizing herself with the JA curriculum.  Her presentations were very well planned, and her enthusiasm for the content was quite evident in her lessons.  I love the JA program!  It really gives the students a little taste of what the job world is really like.  They are all excellent programs that are great and level appropriate.
• It was fun for the students.  The instructors did a nice job.
• Absolutely phenomenal—our volunteer was great!  The presenter makes all of the difference—I hope mine comes back again next year (to MY room!)
• The activities were very motivating and piqued my students’ interest in subject matter that may have otherwise been complicated or confusing for them.  It was a great program!
• Our volunteer was very knowledgeable.  He brought real-life applications for the students to fill out, and helped them understand on their level.
• I was impressed with our volunteer’s approach and how she was able to keep the class interested.  For never having done this before, she did a great job!  Her delivery was fine—I hope she has a chance to do it again!

  Comments from Volunteers about the program:                 

• It is an excellent program!  I very much enjoyed teaching and the material was great!   Would like to do it again!
• I think the "Our Nation" program is pretty good and would be happy to do this again.
•  I am extremely impressed with the program.  The kids were engaged and looked forward to the weekly discussions.  I was fortunate to have the “higher level” class in the 5^th grade.  The thought process continued to amaze me week after week.  I hope thy learned as much from me as I learned from them.  I knew it was a success when they all continued to be involved in the activities and readily volunteer answers to questions.
• Wow!  This was the best JA program. . . very significant and right on target for my 5^th graders.  Our volunteer’s presentations were very well done.  He was well prepared, organized, and kept the students’ interest during the entire time.  My students really looked forward to his lessons and enjoyed learning about the business world as he presented different concepts. 
• I enjoyed this set of lessons.  It really seemed to get to the heart of economics in an 11 year old way—very good lessons.  I believe this class learned a lot from these lessons.
• All information was provided.  I really enjoyed my experience with JA and I believe the students did as well.
• I feel that I was able to get some of the students to think differently.
• I use actual advertisements from age appropriate publications.  I also have set up an outline for the groups to fill out when presenting their final business case to the class.  I thoroughly enjoy the experience and try to use everyday events in our local community when discussing each subject area.
• Having the teacher’s input on how to engage the students’ attention and interest was essential.  She knew the students and what would keep them excited and interested.
• This was my first experience with JA.  I had everything necessary.  It went great! I loved it and had a lot of fun.