Our Region®

Our Region® introduces the relationship between the natural, human, and capital resources found in different regions and explores regional businesses that produce goods and services for consumers.

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

Activity One: What are Resources? The students use their prior knowledge to distinguish natural, human, and capital resources.	Key Learning Objectives The students will name things of value identify things of value as resources classify resources as natural, human, and capital discover that resources are found in regions
Activity Two: Exploring Resources The students discover that resources are found within regions of the United States. They identify resources businesses use to make their products.	Key Learning Objectives The students will analyze resources in different regions generate a list of resources recognize that businesses combine the three types of resources to make their products
Activity Three: Regional Resources The students discover how resources come to businesses from throughout different regions. They distinguish between the goods and services businesses produce, and they research and organize resources needed to create a product.	Key Learning Objectives The students will recognize economic interdependence in a region recognize the difference between a good and a service identify resources involved in producing a good or service
Activity Four: Business Decisions The students identify how resources relate to business income and expenses. They complete a calculation to demonstrate how a business determines its profit or loss. When provided with a business challenge, they reallocate their resources and revise their calculations.	Key Learning Objectives The students will define income and expenses demonstrate how a business tracks income and expenses solve a simple business problem
Activity Five: You’re in Charge The students play a game that illustrates the flow of money in and out of a business. They learn about business income and expenses and the role of profits to the success of a business	Key Learning Objectives The students will identify a variety of business income and expenses recognize the importance of profits to businesses

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

Concepts – Business • Choices • Economy • Exchange • Expenses • Goods • Incentives • Income • Investment • Products • Profit • Region • Resources • Risk • Scarcity • Services • Specialization • Taxes

Skills – Comparing • Compiling data • Conducting research • Decision making • Differentiating • Giving reports • Interpreting data • Math computations • Problem solving • Teamwork • Understanding symbols

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 Region® is a series of five activities recommended for students in grade 4. The average time for each activity is 40 minutes. Materials are packaged in a self-contained kit that includes detailed activity plans for the volunteer and materials for 32 students.