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GO TO STEP 1 NOW >Math Monday: Linear vs Exponential Growth in Investments
This Math Monday, we’re exploring a twist on the classic penny doubling problem to teach exponential functions.
In this Desmos activity, students compare three hypothetical ways they could collect a lottery prize: $80,000 today, $3000 per day for a month, or $1 that doubles each day for a month. They also practice identifying linear vs exponential growth situations and comparing two exponential functions with different growth rates.
This activity corresponds to the Level 1...
Collaborate with Educators At NGPF Professional Development This Week (January 10-13)
We have a full slate of LIVE professional development opportunities this week for teachers!
Here's what teachers are saying about our Virtual PDs:
"Honestly, these sessions have all been amazing! I have used so much due to the PDs!"!
"Each time I join the sessions, I come away with new knowledge, insights, and ideas on how to use this information with my students."
"I was so nervous at the start of this school year, but with the training and resources provided by NGPF I was able to be more...
Question of the Day: Which item saw the sharpest increase in prices in last 12 months: Gasoline, Bacon or Eggs?
Answer (from Visual Capitalist):
Questions:
Have you noticed inflation (the increases in prices) in items that you or your family purchase in your own lives?
Which of the items above do you think consumers will buy less? Which of the items do you think they will not change their behavior despite the price increases?
Pick one of the items from the list and come up with a substitute that a consumer might choose.
Click here for the ready-to-go slides for this Question of the...
NGPF Podcast (CLASSIC): Mark Salisbury of Tuition Fit on increasing transparency on the cost of college
As high school seniors prepare to receive their financial aid award letters letters later this spring, we thought this popular podcast from Mark Salisbury in 2020 would prepare educators and counselors for the conversations and questions. In addition to listening to this podcast, you will want to participate in an upcoming 3-part PD series that Mark will be hosting, College Pricing Explained: Reality Behind the Curtain. Find out more and register for this FREE! series which starts on...
Reading List for January 7-9
Financial Literacy
My local NE Ohio newspaper had an opinion piece supporting Ohio’s new law requiring high school students take a personal finance to graduate. (Cleveland.com) And here is a piece supporting current Michigan legislation published in the Detroit Free Press.
For those already in the work force without the benefit of a personal finance education, this article looks at how companies are encouraging financial wellness among their employees. (Yahoo Finance)
...
FinCap Friday: Americans Regret Holiday Debt
After the holiday season people are usually refreshed and rested from the nice break from work or school and they're feeling the positive energy of the new year. But in 2022, many Americans say the holiday left left them in a lot of debt - more debt than in the 2020 holiday year! Why is this and what can people do about it? Find out the answers to these questions and more on the first FinCap Friday episode of the 2022 year!
If you're short on time, try our simplified No Tech version, containing...
CURRICULUM UPDATES: Intuit Mint Education Simulation
NGPF is pleased to share Intuit’s Mint Education Simulation for teachers and students to use in the classroom! Continue reading to learn more!
What is the Intuit Mint Education Simulation?
Mint is a financial tool that millions of people use to manage their finances. The Intuit Mint Education Simulation allows students to experience what it is like to use Mint using a hypothetical persona.
The simulation does not collect student data.
How can I access...
EdPuzzle: The Hidden Cost of Joining a Gym
This week's EdPuzzle video from TwoCents titled "The Hidden Cost of Joining a Gym" questions the financial wisdom of that timeless New Year's resolution to "finally go to the gym and workout more often." In this fun video, you'll learn how gyms are modeled to profit and get tips for how to make the decision that's right for your fitness AND your pocketbook!
Interested in more EdPuzzle videos? Visit our Video Library and type in "EdPuzzle" into the search bar at the top to view the...
FINAL SUMMARY: NGPF's FinEd BillTracker for 2021
Personal Finance education captured lots of attention and activity in state legislatures across the country in 2021. To keep you abreast of these developments, we launched NGPF's FinEd BillTracker which has now been updated as of 12/31/21.
Here's the final tally for what was accomplished in 2021:
26 states + DC introduced bills focused on financial education in public schools
3 states had bills signed by their governors that guarantee that all high school students will complete a one...
Question of the Day: What is the deadline for filing your 2021 tax return?
Answer: April 18th, 2022
Questions:
Just like schoolwork, why is it important to know the deadline to file your tax return?
Can you file your tax return early? Why might you file BEFORE the deadline?
Why do you think the IRS gives people a few months after the end of the tax year to file their tax return?
Click here for the ready-to-go slides for this Question of the Day that you can use in your classroom.
Behind the numbers (TurboTax)
When are taxes due?2021 was an eventful year for...
Mission 2030 Guest Post: Michael Schaefer's School Exceeds State Standard With NGPF's Lessons
The following post is one in a series of inspiring stories from NGPF's Gold Standard Challenge Grant Program which incentivizes high schools and districts to commit to ALL students taking personal finance courses before graduation. Learn more, and apply for your $2,500 to $30,000 Gold Standard Challenge Grant before the August 31, 2022 deadline here.
About Today's Guest Author
Michael Schaefer is an educator at Sussex Academy in Georgetown, Delaware. Their school is the 158th...
Question of the Day; How many states are raising their minimum wage in 2022?
Answer: 26
Questions:
How is the minimum wage changing in your state? Here’s the data source with minimum wage data on all 50 states (most of the 50; a few have N/As).
Are employers in your area paying more than the minimum wage for part-time jobs?
Most states now have set minimum wages far above the federal rate of $7.25. Why do you think legislators in DC have chosen not to raise the federal minimum wage?
Imagine you run a small business where most of your employees earn...
UPDATED (1/12/22): Guess the CPI and your class could win a $100 gift card!
UPDATE (1/12/22): The CPI for the 12 month period ending December 2021 was announced this morning by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and came in at....7%! Details here.
Congratulations to our three winners this month who estimated the exact number:
Diana Garza, a Business and Money Matters teacher at Earl Warren High School (San Antonio, TX): 6th period class
Pan Zunggeemoge, an Economics Teacher at Learn4Life (Gardena, CA)
Allison Gossick, a Personal Finance teacher at Blue Valley North...
Question of the Day: Which company was the first to reach a stock market value of $3 trillion in January of 2022?
Answer: Apple
Questions:
Why do you think that Apple is such a valuable company?
How easy or difficult do you think it will be for Apple to continue to grow their market value? Explain.
Math: Stock market value is calculated based on the stock price multiplied by the number of shares outstanding. If Apple’s value is $3 trillion and the stock price is about $182, how many shares are outstanding?
Here's the ready-to-go slides for this Question of the Day that you can use in your...
NGPF Podcast: Ted Benna on the past, present and future of the 401(k)
I had fun reconnecting with Ted Benna, the Father of the 401(k), four years after his last guest appearance on the NGPF Podcast. He's been a busy guy since then, writing a book (401(k) 40 Years Later), updated another (401(k) for Dummies), advised start-ups and worked with small businesses to help them develop high quality, low-cost retirement plans for their employees. In this podcast, you will hear Ted's fascinating perspective on the 401(k) market as it has grown to $15 trillion in assets....
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