banner photo: Bank of America Rhode Island Market Executive, Jess Hutchinson, laughs with students while teaching her JA Our City 3rd grade session

JA Our City

A Our City featuring Cha-Ching™ introduces students to financial literacy and learning objectives for third–grade social studies, including how people manage their money and the importance of economic exchange within a city. Dr. Alice Wilder, an award-winning expert on childhood learning (Blue's Clues, Super Why, Cha-Ching, Speakaboos, and Amazon Kids original programming), consulted on the program's redevelopment.

Following participation in the program, students will be able to explain the choices people have with money; recognize methods of payment and whether they are readily visible or invisible; examine the importance of money to a city and its citizens; describe how entrepreneurial businesses meet the needs and wants of citizens.

New features include:

• Cha-Ching financial literacy music videos

• Optional augmented reality activities to do at home with parents or caregivers, enabling students to complete a word search or maze or watch a video through a phone app

• Digital posters and games for use in the classroom

• Extended Learning Opportunities

The program is for students in third grade. It is composed of five sessions, and the average length of each session is 45 minutes. Materials are packaged in a self-contained kit that includes detailed plans for the volunteer and materials for 30 students.

JA programs correlate to state social studies, English, and math standards, and to the Common Core State Standards in English/language arts and mathematics.

Junior Achievement USA gratefully acknowledges Jackson Charitable Foundation for its dedication to the development and implementation of JA Our City.