Whether you're brand new to the NGPF Semester Course or have been teaching it for years, we've got a quick list of must-know items that will make the first month smooth sailing. For example, do you know where to find the syllabus? Which pieces have been translated into Spanish? What resources work best for reluctant learners? 

1. Syllabus

You can customize this syllabus with your own school logo, your grading policy, links to your LMS, ... whatever you want to include to set clear expectations from the beginning. 

2. Two options for a diagnostic

Semester Course has its own diagnostic exam, aligned to test all ten units of the course. You'll find it on the Summative Assessments page, which you can bookmark for the final exam as well. A huge benefit of using this exam is that it's fully translated into Spanish in case you've got students whose read Spanish more fluently than English. You'll find the translation linked in the upper right header of this exam, the final, and every unit test as well.

If you'd like, you can also participate in a FREE nationwide assessment in partnership with NGPF and Penn State Behrend. 

3. Kick off a term-long project this month

Particularly if you or your students prefer project-based learning, you might consider this brand new Financial Flipbook idea. Like the course exams, this cumulative project is also available in Spanish, which you click to in the upper right header of the activity document. 

4. Hook your students with Behavioral Economics

Semester Course was completely revamped in Summer 2022, and we intentionally started with Behavioral Economics, which explains the intersection of human behavior and financial decision-making. Even your most reluctant learners might be intrigued to explore why we make the money choices we do. The very first lesson of the course starts with the question "What emotional reactions do you have when thinking or talking about money?" and then jumps into the PLAY: The Bean Game, so get your Smarties, M&Ms, or beans ready for engagement on the first day! This activity is a student-favorite, easy to implement, and we've even heard goes over well in formal or informal observations from school administrators.

Then, in lessons 2 and 6, if you click "View Answer Key," you'll get the link to four thought experiments, three of which are included in the unit and one of which you could optionally add for even more fun. 

If you just started your new semester or will be starting it soon, consider the revamped Semester Course.

About the Author

Jessica Endlich

When I started working at Next Gen Personal Finance, it's as though my undergraduate degree in finance, followed by ten years as an educator in an NYC public high school, suddenly all made sense.

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