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Investment Strategies Program

Program Guide for Teachers and Volunteers

Resource updated August 2014

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
SPONSORSHIP
The Investment Strategies Program was updated in 2012 through the collaborate efforts of
JA Canada TM (Junior Achievement); two Junior Achievement charters, JA Southern Alberta
and JA British Columbia; and through the generous provincial program revision sponsors:
Alberta

British Columbia

Todd Poland, VP,

Investment Advisor,
CIBC Wood Gundy

We wish to thank the many amazing individuals who, over the course of ten years of the
Investment Strategies Program, contributed to the re-development of this program; updates
are based on feedback from our many dedicated program volunteers, teachers, students,
and charter staff. Also, thank you to the creative and committed volunteers and teachers
who piloted the revised program materials in 2012.

Program Development Consultants
Fiona Zawadzki, Educational Program Consultant, Skye Consulting
Craig Nakamoto, President, Claero Systems
Neale Pope, President, Wrench Creative

JA Canada
Stephen Ashworth, President and CEO

Junior Achievement of Southern Alberta
Scott Hillier, President and CEO
Debra Hidson, Manager, Elementary and Middle School Programs
Matt Mitchell, Coordinator, Elementary and Middle School Programs (former)
Lorie Penner, Regional Coordinator, East Central Region

Junior Achievement of British Columbia
Anne Tower, Vice President, Programs and Regional Operations
Christopher Hindle, Manager, Marketing and Communications
Deborah Wakeham, Regional Manager, Vancouver Island
Ivy Chan, Program Manager, Middle School Programs, Lower Mainland

Investment Strategies Program Stakeholder Advisory Panel
Lorinda Brinton

Barbara Romaniuk

David Forsyth

Wendy Thorpe

Chad Jacques

Colleen Threadkell

Todd Poland

Steve Wilson

Any text of this publication, or any part thereof, may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying, recording, storing in an information retrieval system, or otherwise, except in the course of conducting
a registered JA Canada

TM

class or with the written permission of JA Canada

TM

Investment Strategies Program Program Guide for Teachers and Volunteers (2012)

Copyright 2012 JA Canada

TM

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Table of Contents
Preparing for the Class 1-7
Lessons 1 - 4 1.1 - 4.7
Lesson 1: What is a Stock Market?
Introduction 1.3
Canadas Talent: Company Snapshots
1.4
Lucky and Charming ONLINE
1.6
Taking Stock 1.7
Question Market 1.8
Discussion 1.9
After the Bell 1.9
Lesson 2: Mutual Respect
Canadas Talent 2.3
Rule of 72 2.3
Investment Vehicles ONLINE 2.4
Advise and Invest 2.5
Mutual Respect 2.6
Risky Business 2.8
Discussion 2.8
After the Bell 2.9
Lesson 3: Its Time to Simulate
Canadas Talent 3.3
E-Scavenger Hunt ONLINE 3.3
Stars and Dogs ONLINE 3.4
Its Time to Simulate ONLINE
3.4
Discussion 3.6
After the Bell 3.7

Lesson 4: Being a Savvy Investor
Canadas Talent 4.3
Portfolio Check Up 4.3
Trading Ethics 4.4
Stock Up 4.6
Stock Talk Trivia 4.6
Discussion 4.7

Notes:

Preparing for the Class

Overview

The Investment Strategies Program is an in-school learning opportunity, consisting

of activities, both online and in the classroom, and an online stock market simulation.
The Investment Strategies Program is delivered through four lessons and an online
stock market simulation at www.investja.org that is facilitated by one or more
Junior Achievement volunteer business consultants in collaboration with the
classroom teacher.
Each program lesson includes:
Overview: a general overview of the lesson

Objectives: a checklist of what students will learn in the lesson

Preparation: a list of logistics needed to facilitate the lesson
Materials required: what presenting materials are needed to facilitate the lesson
Presentation: all the instructions to facilitate each activity in the lesson

Roles and Responsibilities

The Volunteers Role

Each volunteer is expected to attend a training session presented by Junior

Achievement. The training sessions are designed to familiarize the volunteers with
the Investment Strategies Program and to provide them with valuable information
on how to present it to a classroom of students.
As a volunteer, you are an important role model to students. In fact, you may be the
only businessperson with whom many of them have the opportunity to interact.
You are encouraged to relate the concepts and key ideas of the program to your
own experiences and enrich explanations so that they become more than theory
to the students. Some of the roles you will play include:
Business Resource: Although students are likely to know people in the

community who have experience with the business world, it is unlikely that
they have asked many of the questions that they will speak to you about in

the classroom. You have the opportunity to talk openly about both your

educational and occupational backgrounds. Relate the memories and aspirations
you had at their age, and tell the students how those have changed or remained
the same.
Facilitator: Each Junior Achievement program is flexible and allows for
creativity. You will have received training on each of the lessons, but you are
not strictly limited by the format suggested by your trainer. This training
provides a framework only. Use creative discussion techniques and activities
to encourage the students to become involved in Investment Strategies
Program, and adjust the program to suit your delivery style. It is the addition
of a volunteer business consultant that makes each JA program a unique
learning experience.

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 Motivator: Remember what it was like to be a young student? If we could

each go back in time and know then what we know now, would we do things
differently? This is your chance to share your knowledge. Talk about your job,
your industry and the opportunities that are available to people in your field.
What would you have liked to know before you made your choices? Share
those thoughts with the students in your class. The information you provide
to the class could encourage students to search out opportunities that they
might otherwise miss.
Role Model: You are an example to the students of the benefits of

education, hard work, and setting and meeting personal goals. Students will
look up to you and will be eager to learn all they can about the business
world. The business ethics and conduct you model will teach the students the
appropriate way to behave in the workplace.

Notes:

Maintaining open communication and building a strong, positive working relationship

with the classroom teacher is extremely important. As the volunteer, you need to
make sure that you are aware of the classroom rules and any procedures that may
be set in place by the teacher. Letting the students know that your time together
will follow a regular classroom routine will help you maintain a consistent approach
with them.
Teachers are responsible for maintaining order and discipline. It is their
responsibility to assist you in providing an atmosphere that is conducive to learning.
They can provide you with valuable feedback on students reactions to direction
and activities, communicate with the students more effectively.

Student Characteristics
The Investment Strategies Program is designed for students in grades 8 to 10.
The single most important characteristic of a class of students this age is variety.
The adolescents in your Investment Strategies Program class are likely to vary in
personality, aptitude, life experience and interests. Nevertheless, it is possible to
make several generalizations about these students.
They need and want approval. They seek attention and recognition. Even the shy,
quiet students and the seemingly unmanageable students want you to notice them.
They are often insecure. As a result, they are self-conscious, concerned about what
their peers think, and may seem reserved or suspicious of adults. Avoid sarcasm
and even good-natured teasing!
They enjoy active learning. The typical student has a short attention span.
Interactive discussions and activities are always more successful than lectures.

They often underestimate their own potential. They may be apprehensive about
the future. Give them positive reinforcement and encourage them to strive for
their potential.

What To Do When

Classroom Tips for Volunteers

A student does not

participate

Your opening minutes in the classroom will be instrumental in building rapport with
the students. This is your opportunity to introduce yourself, Junior Achievement and
the Investment Strategies Program. Take some time at the beginning of your first
lesson to get to know the students.

It is difficult to know why an

individual has chosen to stay
uninvolved in an activity. No matter
what the reason, we must respect
this choice. Although we would like
to enlist every student to
participate, some students may not
be comfortable with the program
or a particular activity. They may
have personal reasons for remaining
uninvolved. Do not force students
to participate or put them on the
spot. Provide disengaged students
with the opportunity to write
information on the chalkboard or
pass out information sheets to the
class. Speak to the students
individually, perhaps as they take a
break. Try to provide supportive and
positive comments that do not
single them out in the classroom or
require a response on their part.
You have a compulsive
talker
It is important to show interest in
this individual without jeopardizing
quality learning time for the rest of
the class. Provide these students
with constructive activities that will
keep them involved. Have them
assist you with a task such as
writing information on the board or
distributing handouts to the class.
If you are working on an activity
that requires information to be read
aloud from the handout, encourage
extremely talkative students to
volunteer to take part in an activity.

Be yourself. Remain at ease in the classroom. Be genuine and open. Tell the

students about your current job, your career path and your education. They will
appreciate knowing that people may shift occupations many times in their lives
and that career paths allow freedom and flexibility.
Tell them why you are there. Investment Strategies Program is an activity
oriented program that allows them to explore the opportunities for success.
Let them know why you are involved with Junior Achievement and what your
personal objectives are. Ask the students if they have particular areas of interest
they want to learn about.
Set ground rules. Students learn best when they know what is expected of them.
It is important to be firm, yet fair. To create an effective learning environment, you
must attract and keep the attention of the students. Request their cooperation
and stress the importance of only one person speaking at a time. Ask the teacher
about the classroom rules and adhere to them to ensure consistency for the
students.
Know your materials. Take time to prepare for your presentation so that you wont
be surprised during the day. The better you know what is in this Program Guide,
the easier it will be to speak with the class and not talk at them.
Plan your activities. The initial questions that you ask after most hands-on activities
should enable students to describe the experience they had. For example, What
surprised you the most about X activity?
Use students names. This cannot be overemphasized. Using students names will
help you maintain control in the classroom and will allow you to get to know the
students better. You might want to use some of the following ideas to aid you in
remembering names and personalities.

Refer to a seating plan provided by the teacher (if available).

Use the table tents if provided.

Vary teaching methods. Choose a variety of teaching methods for each lesson.
Discussions, group work and activities are some examples of options that you
might use. Changing the pace of the lessons will keep the students interested and
involved. Move quickly from one activity to the next when students become
restless. Be sure to demonstrate the same idea in a number of different ways to
assist student comprehension.

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What To Do When
Watch the time. There is a lot of material to cover and it is easy to run out of
time. Try keeping an eye on the clock or ask a student to keep track of the time
for you.
Build on where the students are in life. Think about what the students know and
want. They must be able to relate the information you provide to how it will affect
them. Attempt to draw on the students own experiences to illustrate points. Use
examples within their frames of reference.
Be aware of your terminology. Not all of the students in your class will come from
a traditional family and you must be sensitive to this. The terms Mom and Dad
can easily be replaced with terms such as at home or with your family.
Let students reach their own conclusions. You may lead discussions that further
explore the points made by the students themselves, but the more students work
to understand a concept, the more meaningful it will become to them.

You begin to lose control

of the class
Change the pace of the activity,
take a short break, or include an
energizer. Good eye contact and
firm friendliness can sometimes
regain student attention; if not, it
may be time to try a different
teaching method, or to switch
topics. If the problem persists, this
might be a good time to approach
the teacher and ask him/her to get
involved.
Your class is accelerated
Hopefully, your teacher will have
informed you of this prior to your
arrival in the classroom. If so, you
will have had time to prepare
further activities to support the
materials in the Investment
Strategies Program. One suggestion
to make the material more
challenging for the students is
to encourage independent
problem solving, instead of the
recommended group approach.
The classroom teacher is your
best resource! Be sure to ask him
or her for recommendations on
program adjustments.
Your class has special
needs
Working closely with the teacher is
essential to success. Ask the teacher
for recommendations on what
teaching techniques work best and
what should be avoided. Tips that
often work are slowing the pace,
reducing the objectives and using
more visual aids with the activities.

Lesson 1: What is
a Stock Market?
Introduction
10 minutes
Canadas Talent
15 minutes

Lesson 2:
Mutual Respect
Canadas Talent
10 minutes
Rule of 72
5 minutes

Lesson 3: Its
Time to Simulate
Canadas Talent

Lesson 4: Being
a Savvy Investor
Canadas Talent

10 minutes

10 minutes

E-Scavenger Hunt
ONLINE

Portfolio Check Up
5 minutes

15 minutes
Lucky and Charming

Investment Vehicles

ONLINE

ONLINE

15 minutes

25 minutes

Trading Ethics
Stars and Dogs

20 minutes

ONLINE
15 minutes

Taking Stock
20 minutes

20 minutes

Advise and Invest

10 minutes

Its Time to Simulate

ONLINE

Question Market
15 minutes

Mutual Respect

35 minutes

5 minutes

Stock Talk Trivia

20 minutes

20 minutes
Discussion

Discussion

Stock Up

Risky Business

5 minutes

Discussion
5 minutes

5 minutes
Discussion
5 minutes

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