As we get into back-to-school season, we asked the teacher community on FinLit Fanatics for tips they have for teachers teaching personal finance. The most popular tip was to incorporate real-life examples in the classroom!

Tip #1: Share your own personal stories

Personal anecdotes can make personal finance concepts more relatable and engaging for students. By sharing your own experiences, you can illustrate real-life challenges and successes and provide valuable lessons that resonate with students on a deeper level, fostering an appreciation for financial literacy.

• “Real-life examples are important! Don’t be afraid to share your own struggles and how you’ve grown out of them.”
• “Share your own stories. Let them know we are all human.”
• “I talk about all the learning and growing I've done since teaching this class. I've learned so much about how I spend money because of all the professional development I've taken.”

Tip #2: Have a plan to start off the school year

Starting off your class right to get students back into the school life rhythm is important! A well-structured introduction to the class can ensure that students grasp the importance of the subject from the beginning.

• “I usually open with the idea that everything they've ever learned in school (even the stuff they think they'll never need) have actually been personal finance lessons: self-discipline, delayed gratification, problem-solving, goal setting, budgeting time, weighing trade-offs, long term consequences, and a report card that follows you for life.”
• “The first day back we play the Game of Life! It is a fun way to acclimate back from summer!”

Tip #3: Get students moving around and in groups

Incorporating group activities promote active engagement and collaboration among students.  Cultivate a positive and supportive learning environment that boosts motivation by having students work together. 

• “Use the MOVE activities! Even if they "complain" they want to get up and around.”
• “Modify the Student activity packets to fit your students. Just because it says “article” the students don’t have to individually read it. You can jigsaw in groups, read as a class, or the teacher can read and just give notes on it.”

Extra Tip from the Blog Author: Use The Financial Literacy Progress & Efficacy Assessment to receive a report on your students’ growth!

Join the FinLit Fanatics Facebook Group to interact with fellow teachers and get more tips!  

About the Authors

Ren Makino

Ren started interning at NGPF in 2014, and worked part-time through high school and college. With his knowledge growing alongside NGPF, he joined the team to work full-time after graduating from college in 2020. He is also the producer of the NGPF podcast. During his free time, he likes to try out coffees from different roasters across the world.

Hannah Rael

As NGPF's Marketing Communications Manager, Hannah (she/her) helps spread the word about NGPF's mission to improve the financial lives of the next generation of Americans.