The Cade Museum has partnered with Junior Achievement to bring the JA Biztown Program to Alachua County.
JA BizTown combines in-class learning with a day-long visit to a simulated town. This popular program allows elementary school students to operate banks, manage restaurants, write checks, and vote for mayor. The program helps students connect the dots between what they learn in school and the real world.
On weekdays between January and April 2022, all fifth-grade students in Alachua County will pass through the Cade’s doors to experience this important program. Please note: The Cade’s second floor will be closed to museum visitors on Thursdays and Fridays.
During the Cade’s general admission hours, visitors will be able to see the simulated town and read exhibit panels explaining the program.
JA BizTown combines in-class learning with a day-long visit to a simulated town. This popular program allows elementary school students to operate banks, manage restaurants, write checks, and vote for mayor. The program helps students connect the dots between what they learn in school and the real world.
Following participation in the program, students will be able to:
— Discuss the roles they play as citizens, workers, and consumers in their community and relate those roles to the free enterprise system.
— Discuss the importance of citizen rights and responsibilities in a community.
— Demonstrate a basic understanding of the free enterprise system.
— Build money management skills through practical knowledge of economic concepts and banking practices.
— Develop an understanding of basic business practices and responsibilities.
— Display the soft skills necessary for successful participation in the world of work.
JA BizTown is recommended for grades 4–6. The program is a JA Capstone program and is available for classroom-based, self- guided, or remote classroom implementation. It includes 12 teacher-led sessions prior to the simulation and 1 session following the simulation, with a culminating 4–5 hour visit to a hands-on simulated community or a virtual simulation.
JA programs support national and state standards in reading, mathematics, social studies, and work and career readiness. See below for more information on alignment with national and state standards.
Program Concepts
Advertising, business management, careers, check register, circular flow, economics, financial institutions, financial transactions, free enterprise, goods and services, interests and skills, jobs, operating costs, payment methods, performance evaluation, personal finance, quality business, resources (natural, human, and capital), running a business, scarcity, soft skills, STEM careers
Skills Students Learn
- Active listening
- Applying Information
- Brainstorming
- Calculation
- Charting
- Collaboration
- Communication (verbal and written)
- Comparing and contrasting
- Computation
- Cooperation
- Creativity
- Critical thinking
- Data collection and interpretation
- Decision making
- Definitions
- Demonstration
- Describing consequences
- Determining cause and effect
- Filling out forms
- Following written and oral directions
- Graphing
- Identifying
- Interview skills
- Listening
- Observing
- Organizing
- Planning
- Price setting
- Problem solving
- Reading for information
- Research
- Resume preparation
- Role-playing
- Self-reflection
- Showing responsibility
- Soft skills (customer service
- punctuality
- and dressing appropriately)
- Spending
- Teamwork
- Time management
- Writing.
Virtual Implementation
Remote live, virtual simulation and self-guided implementation options are available for JA BizTown.
Junior Achievement gratefully acknowledges the dedication of The Marcus Foundation for enhancing the JA BizTown program to incorporate the foundational principles of civics.
