Our NationOur Nation® examines how businesses operate in the United States and explores various economic issues that impact those businesses.

The learning objectives listed beside each activity state the skills and knowledge the students will gain.

 

 

Activity One: Three Forms of Business

The 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

The students will

  • define business and other key business terms

  • describe the development of business in the United States

  • identify the three common forms of business organization

Activity Two: Business Resources

The students learn about the importance of human resources to a business, particularly human resources. They discover the factors that influence one’s ability to obtain work, and they practice interviewing skills.

Key Learning Objectives

The students will

  • identify resources as natural, human, and capital

  • list qualities employers look for in their employees

  • recognize the steps necessary to get a job

  • compare an contrast a good interview with a bad interview

Activity Three: Production

The 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

The students will

  • 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

The students learn about the importance of advertising. They evaluate how advertisements are targeted to specific audiences.

Key Learning Objectives

The students will

  • understand why businesses advertise

  • identify the different types of advertisements

 

Activity Five: Entrepreneurs

The students become entrepreneurs and formulate a business plan for their new business.

Key Learning Objectives

The students will

  • 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

Our Nation® enhances the students’ learning of the following concepts and skills:

Concepts – Advantages • Advertising • Business • Careers • Competition • Corporations • Division of labor • Entrepreneurs • Franchises • Goods • Markets • Nation • Partnerships • Price • Products • Production • Productivity • Profit • Quality • Resources • Services • Sole proprietorships • Specialization • Stocks

Skills – Assembling products • Brainstorming • Critical thinking • Drawing conclusions • Formulating a plan • Giving reports • Interviewing  • Listening • Making observations • Role playing • Teamwork

All JA programs have technology enhancements and are designed to support the skills and competencies outlined in the SCANS (Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills) report. These programs also augment the school-based, work-based, and connecting activities for communities with school-to-work initiatives.

Our Nation® is a series of five activities recommended for students in grade 5. The average time for each activity is 45 minutes. Materials are packaged in a self-contained kit that includes detailed activity plans for the volunteer and materials for 32 students.