During this unique time in our community, we are doing our part to help ensure students continue their JA education at home and help parents make the most out of at-home learning.
Have ideas on other resources you’d like to see added? Send us a line.
Middle School Lesson Plans
DAY 1: ASSEMBLE YOUR CAREER
Lesson 1 – Match Me to the Perfect Career
See what careers match your interests! Take 5 minutes to complete the online Interest Assessment quiz and then explore potential careers.
- Category: Career Exploration
- Type: Online Quiz
- Time: 20 minutes
Lesson 2 – Explore High-Demand STEM Careers
Learn about STEM careers and ways to prepare for these careers while still in school.
*Select the speaker button on the bottom left of the screen to turn on the sound!
- Category: Career Exploration
- Type: Online App
- Time: 20 minutes
Lesson 3 – Research Your Dream Job!
Are you curious about the salary, demand, and education requirements of the careers you are interested in? Explore the answers here!
- Category: Career Exploration
- Type: Reading
- Time: 10 minutes
Lesson 4 – JA Global Workforce
Are you curious about the salary, demand, and education requirements of the careers you are interested in? Explore the answers here!
- Category: Career Exploration
- Type: Activity
- Time: 15 minutes
DAY 2: Budgets, Pricing, and Saving
Lesson 1 – JA Next Level Student Budget
Learn how to create a budget and track your saving and spending.
- Category: Financial Literacy
- Type: Printable Worksheet and Excel Sheet
- Time: 20 minutes
Lesson 2 – JA History of Prices
Why is all the toilet paper disappearing off the shelves? Find out how people’s needs and desires affect the pricing of goods.
- Category: Financial Literacy & Money Management
- Type: Reading and Activity
- Time: 25 minutes
Lesson 3 – JA Interest in Your Favor
Discover how investing in an interest-bearing savings account can help you buy big-ticket items.
- Category: Financial Literacy
- Type: Activity Worksheet
- Time: 15 minutes
Lesson 4 – Making Cents: Money Doubles by the Rule of 72
Learn how the power of compound interest can help you to earn significant money in the future!
- Category: Financial Literacy
- Type: Activity and Video
- Time: Activity (10 mins), Video (45 seconds)
DAY 3: ENTREPRENEURS – Be Your Own Boss
Lesson 1 – JA Robo Sellers Video Flyer
*Download instructions here
Be an entrepreneur and start your own robot business as a robot merchant. Try to make a tidy profit as you fly your ship through the universe collecting and selling robot parts.
- Category: Entrepreneurship
- Type: Video Game
- Time: 20 minutes
Lesson 2 – JA The Money Jar Podcasts: #148 Entrepreneurial Advice from the Tech World
If you have dreams of starting your own company, how do you do it and what entrepreneurial traits do you need?
- Category: Entrepreneurship
- Type: Audio Podcasts
- Time: 30 minutes
Lesson 3 – JA Video Library
Select 2-3 young entrepreneur videos that interest you. Watch and listen to their stories and advice and hear why it’s cool to run a business.
- Category: Entrepreneurship
- Type: Videos (3-4 minutes each)
- Time: 15 minutes
DAY 4: CAREER QUEST!
Lesson 1 – Take the First Step to Being Your Own Boss: Create Your Business Plan
Take this opportunity to design, plan, and run your own business!
- Category: Career Exploration/Entrepreneurship
- Type: Online App
- Time: 30 minutes
Lesson 2 – Match Your Personality with Potential Careers
Keep your career goals on track. Take a personality test to learn about your personality and then explore career fields that match your personality.
- Category: Career Exploration
- Type: Interactive Online Module – Activities and Short Video
- Time: 20 minutes
Lesson 3 – JA Self-Knowledge Treasure Hunt
Skills, interests, and values help you focus in on what kids of jobs and careers you might like. Do you know yours?
- Category: Career Exploration
- Type: Reading and Activity
- Time: 20 minutes
DAY 5: MAKE SMART FINANCIAL DECISIONS
Lesson 1 – JA $ave: Do You Have a Great Idea?
Do you have a great idea that you think other people would like, too? You can start a business!
- Category: Financial Literacy/Entrepreneurship
- Type: Brainstorming Activity
- Time: 10 minutes
Lesson 2 – Making Cents: Financial Literacy Videos for Teens
Watch these five short 45-second videos: Credit Score, Long-Term Investing, Buying a Car, Writing a Check, and Social Media to learn more about money.
- Category: Financial Literacy
- Type: Videos
- Time: 7 minutes
Lesson 3 – JA $ave: Planning for College
Let’s explore how to analyze tuition costs and factors that should be considered.
- Category: Financial Literacy
- Type: Reading and Activity
- Time: 25 minutes
Lesson 4 – You and Your Money
Money is fun to get and spend. Learn how to start saving and how to boost your earning power.
- Category: Financial Literacy
- Type: Online Free Course
- Time: 15 minutes