`Junior Achievement lesson worth a mint`

By Derrick Bash
Herald News Intern

A second-grade Brookfield Elementary School class recently learned a lesson in the business workings of a small community.

Part of Junior Achievement, a national program dedicated to educating children about economics and business, the class learned how money moves through a community and how it is exchanged for goods and services.

Several schools in the Shenango Valley adopted the Junior Achievement Program this year in grades two, six and eight. Some already offered the program in fifth grade.

Dave Ziegler, director of the Brookfield program, joined up with his wife Jean to lead her class of second-graders through a lesson called “Money Moves.”

Ziegler began the exercise by asking the students what the U.S. mint makes and reminding them it isn’t candies. The kids erupted into a loud cry of “Money!”

Provided with a map of a fictional town, the entire class followed along as several students portrayed different businesses and showed a quarter changing hands.

Taking on identities such as Bob from Bob’s Laundry and Polly from Polly and Pete’s Pizza, the children followed the quarter from the mint, through the community to the bank.

Students then worked hard to trace through their maps again as Ziegler played a rap song and led the children through the town, detailing each business transaction.

After the song, Ziegler questioned the smiling class as to what would happen if the quarter didn’t move through the community.

“The bank wouldn’t have any money,” Matt Polumbo said.

The money lesson was the last of five lessons the second-graders completed this year.

Although the children spoke excitedly about all the lessons, one clearly stood above the rest. “My favorite part was making doughnuts,” said Courtney Wagner, whose sentiment was loudly echoed by the class.

The lesson, “Sweet O Donuts,’’ explained mass production and how an assembly line works. Each member of the class took on a different role in making the paper doughnuts, such as cutting them out, coloring them and putting stickers on them.

As Ziegler left the classroom, he was overwhelmed with a barrage of hugs, and hand made thank-you notes.

All Junior Achievement programs are taught by volunteers and funded by grants and contributions. Those interested in becoming a volunteer should call (800)-369-9006 or (330) 369-2884. Those wishing to make a contribution should call Robert Jazwinski at 981-0900.

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Updated June 19, 1999
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