Welcome to JA Finance Park
Teacher Orientation
JA Capstone Program
Capstone is the culmination of classroom
study. It provides experiential activities
that allow students to apply knowledge
they learned in classrooms to real-world
situations.
JA Finance Park – Middle and High School
1
Orientation Objectives
By the end of orientation, you will understand:
• The purpose of JA Finance Park.
• How to effectively use the curriculum.
• Teacher responsibilities for a successful
student simulation experience.
• Basic operation of the virtual simulation.
2
Benefits to Educators
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Lessons are easy to use.
Minimal preparation time is needed.
Lesson options provide flexibility.
Curriculum is fun, interactive, and
engaging.
• Extension activities are provided with
each unit.
3
Curriculum Basics
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Teacher Guide
Posters
Student Workbook
Online resources
4
Curriculum Guide Tabs
• Getting Started
• Option 1: Traditional and Extension Activities
– Income
– Saving, Investing, Risk Management
– Debit and Credit
– Budget +
– Simulation and Debrief
• Option 2: Project-Based Learning Lessons
• Glossary
5
Traditional Lesson Features
Income
• Three core lessons
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Student self-assessment
Work preferences
Taxes
NMI
• Video introduction
• Pre-test
• Eight extension activities
Lesson One: Plan Your Future
• Define income
• Personal traits
• Worker profile activity
Extension activity #1
Lesson Two: Careers
• Career readiness
• Career clusters
 Exploration
 Trends
• Knowledge / skills
Extension activity #2
Lesson Three: Taxes and My Income
• Taxes
 Income
 Sales
 Property
• Net monthly income
Assessment
• Teacher guide only
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11 questions
Multiple choice
Calculation
Answer key
Income – Extension Activities
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Kuder Navigator
Career Choice Research
Being an Entrepreneur
STEM Career
Social Security & Medicare
Sales Receipt Analysis
How to Complete a 1040-EZ
Saving, Investing and
Risk Management
• Two core lessons
 Saving
 Investment options
 Insurance
• Five extension
activities
Lesson One: Saving and Investing
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Pay Yourself First
Savings funds
Saving goals
Interest
Know It All
Lesson Two: Managing Risk
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Insurance policies
Premium
Tree of Life
Perfectly Matched
Assessment
• Teacher Guide only
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Nine questions
Multiple choice
Fill in the blank
True/False
Answer key
Saving, Investing, & Risk Management
- Extension Activities
• Understanding College Costs and the
FAFSA
• Understanding Stock Quotes
• Roth IRAs
• Compound Interest and the Rule of 72
• Junior Achievement $ave USA
Debit and Credit
• Four core lessons
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Financial institutions
Debit/credit use
Benefits and pitfalls
Credit score
• Five extension
activities
Lesson One: Banking Partners
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Bank/credit union
Internet bank
Online banking
Mobile banking
Lesson Two: Personal Spending
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Electronic payments
Credit
Bankruptcy
Mobile banking
Lesson Three: Savvy Shopping
• Debit and credit
payments
Lesson Four: Managing Credit
• Credit report
• Credit score
• Credit score game
Assessment
• Teacher Guide only
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10 questions
Multiple choice
Fill in the blank
True/False
Answer key
Debit and Credit - Extension Activities
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Checks and Checking Accounts
Installment Debt
Rent or Home Ownership
Leasing vs. Buying a Car
Identity Theft
Budget +
• Three core lessons
 Budgeting
 Paying for education
• Three extension
activities
Lesson One: Think Before You Spend
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Wants and needs
Impulse buying
Short-term goals
Long-term goals
Lesson Two: What is a Budget?
• Budget categories
• Discretionary income
• Budget your time option
Lesson Three: Using a Budget
• Opportunity cost
• Scarcity
• Life scenarios
 Summer job classifieds
 High school scenarios
Assessment
• Teacher Guide only
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10 questions
Multiple choice
Fill in the blank
Answer key
Budget+ - Extension Activities
• Sample Budgets
• Personal Budget
• Paying for Postsecondary Education
Virtual Simulation
• Four sessions
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The Truth Revealed
The Big Search
Budget Puzzle
Final Commitment
“Extras” round
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Simulation
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4-4½ hours
One debrief lesson
Post-test
Teacher Resources
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Video to introduce program
Pre-/Post-Test
Web page links
PowerPoint slides
JA of Northern New England Support
• JA Staff, Rachel Burack
• Additional resources & materials
www.juniorachievement.org/web/programs
Questions?
Thank You!