Upper Level Classroom News
Cowles’ upper elementary students attended JA Biztown this past January 29 and 30 in two groups. Junior Achievement offers this free day to students who learn the curriculum.
Upper elementary spent January learning about financial institutions; checking accounts including writing checks, writing deposit tickets, and tracking money on a check register. They also learned about advertising and pricing via supply and demand in relation to the businesses they were running.
Biztown is a simulated town consisting of 14 separate businesses, each with a CEO and CFO as well as other supporting and managing positions. There is even an elected mayor and district attorney for each day! Students had to prepare and present speeches to their upper elementary peers for voting! Students worked very hard preparing in advance of their trip.
While at Biztown, businesses had to complete a loan application and work to make a profit in order to pay off their loan by the end of the day. This is an annual trip 4th-6th students take allowing students to gain real-life skills in different businesses and careers of a typical town.
The upper elementary team would like to thank all the parent volunteers who participated on Thursday and/or Friday; without them the days would not have been successful! A big thanks, also, to Junior Achievement of Des Moines!
