Friday, February 25, 2000
Fourth-graders study economics
Parents help in JA program
BY SUE KIESEWETTER
Enquirer Contributor
MIDDLETOWN — Imagine you are the owner of a yo-yo company. What kinds of resources — capital or otherwise — would you need to operate?
The fourth graders at Rosedale Elementary School have the answers.
The 9- and 10-year-olds have been studying economics through a Junior Achievement program that relies heavily on parent volunteers. Each week for five weeks a volunteer presents a lesson and works through activities with the children to illustrate the con cepts.
It is part of an initiative piloted last year in fifth and sixth grades and expanded this year to kindergarten through sixth.
Lessons range from 30-60 minutes depending on the age of the child and complexity of material. Incorporated into the lesson are concepts learned in language arts, social studies, geography, science and math.
“They made it more exciting,” said Tila Lane, 10. “We played games and still learned a little. In other classes we just mostly talk.”
The exercise on yo-yo pro duction was one of several real-life activities the students work through in the program under guidance from the volunteers. Next week, fifth-graders will run a mass-production assembly line.
Fifth-grade teacher Carole Fallang, who coordinates the project at the school, said the lessons are geared to the skills the students need to pass the (state) proficiency tests.
“The kids learn and use the proper definitions and know the difference between a sole proprietorship, a partnership and corporation. It's a small part of our economics lessons.”
The fourth-graders now know that wood is probably one of the most valuable natural resources in yo-yo production.
Volunteer John Sawyer, president of Sawyer Realtors in Middletown, said he was surprised at how quickly the youngsters ascertained the difference between service and manufacturing industries; learned the concept of risk-taking; and could discern among capital, human and natural resources.
“The students are very self-sufficient,” Mr. Sawyer said.
“Initially I tried to do too much for them. Economics are an important part of the world and I'm glad they're getting this.”
Parent volunteer Julie Barrord, who taught fifth-graders, said she was nervous at first.
"It's a very nice program for children,” Mrs. Barrord said. "I didn't know if I was right at first but I found I have a lot to share wit the children.'
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