"Teacher Recommended"
Personal Finance Simulations & Websites

 

 

Grade Level Simulations
5-8

Determining Your Budget
Using an interactive, online activity developed by the U.S. Mint, students will build a budget based on an annual salary. This lesson introduces the concepts of fixed and variable expenses and taxes. This lesson requires that students have access to computers that are connected to the Internet.

 

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5-12

ZAPITALISM  

Zapitalism is a fantasy business simulation game. It combines beautifully rendered images with multiplayer functionality in a game of business strategy. You will be able to make deals with the eccentric inhabitants of Zapinalia, invest in stocks & bonds, corner the market, and construct megastores. You can also venture out to explore the islands of Mermadan in search of treasure and mysterious relics. The first player to build a retail empire and outwit the competition wins. You can even play Group Games with up to six players!

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6-8 MONEYSKILL  
A free online reality based personal finance course for young adults developed by the AFSA Education Foundation. MoneySKILL educates middle school students on the basic understanding of money management fundamentals in the content areas of income, expenses, saving and investing, credit and insurance.
 
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6-8 GAZILLIONAIRE
Gazillionaire is used to teach business, math, social studies, economics and entrepreneurship. In Gazillionaire, the player runs a trading company in outer space. The player must make decisions about supply, demand, profit margins, overhead, account balances, etc. Because of Gazillionaire’s “award-winning” tutorial, it appeals to a broad age group and has been used in a wide variety of courses.

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6-12

  PROFITANIA

Profitania is a dynamic business simulation game where your goal is to build a manufacturing empire. As prices fluctuate in real time, you'll get to buy up the best goods on the commodity exchange. Using these raw materials, you can manufacture products, make a tidy profit, and become an industrial tycoon!

TEACHER REVIEW

 
6-12

Gen I Revolution

Developed for middle school and high school students, this online game gives your students the chance to learn important personal finance skills as they play and compete against fellow classmates.

The game includes fifteen Missions in which students attempt to help people in financial trouble. Students join the Gen i Revolution, strategically select their Operatives, and begin to explore and earn points as they work to complete each Mission.

 
K-6
 Review is K-3
 

  PLANET ORANGE      


The Planet Orange Teacher Resource Center (TRC), sponsored by ING Direct, was created to help teachers explain basic money skills such as earning, spending, saving, and investing to students in grades 1–6.  Here, you can find free educational materials such as lesson plans, quizzes, and other resources to help students learn the value and good use of money. Kids begin in the space station orbiting above Planet Orange. Using their dashboard, they can play games, participate in activities, and travel down to the continents below. Planet Orange has four continents: Mandarin Mountains, Tangy Town, Navel City, and Orangeopolis.  Each continent teaches material of increasing complexity for different age groups and maturity levels.   TEACHER REVIEW
 
K-6
 

  KIDSECON POSTERS    

 The Indiana Council for Economic Education’s KidsEcon Posters project gives teachers the tools they need to help their students understand the exciting economic world around them – making them more effective producers, consumers, savers, investors, and voting citizens. The Literature Connection is a great FREE resource for teachers where you can access specific lessons based on popular children’s books that will help you teach 22 different economic concepts. TEACHER REVIEW
 
K-12
Review is K-3
 

  MONEY 101 

A site which includes four lessons which provide guidance, lesson plans and activities for teachers interested in introducing four to seven year old children (pre-k to second grade) to early personal finance concepts.
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4-12   Stock Market Game

Starting with a virtual cash account of $100,000, students strive to create the best-performing portfolio using a live trading simulation. They work together in teams, practicing leadership, organization, negotiation, and cooperation as they compete for the top spot. The setup is engaging, and the learning is a natural part of the experience. Students use real internet research and news updates, making the simulation an even better mirror of the real marketplace. While the competitive gameplay creates student excitement, the educational experience delivers the biggest impact.
K-12
 Review is  K-3
 

 U.S. MINT H.I.P. POCKET CHANGE 
The United States Mint H.I.P. Pocket Change Web Site is all about coins!  And taking a close look at coins can help a youngster begin to grow into a fiscally responsible adult!  Check out some of this site's fun activities and lesson plans that promote basic economic understanding... 

 

TEACHER REVIEW
K-12

EconEdLink

EconEdLink is the leading source of online economic & personal finance lessons & resources for educators, students and afterschool providers.  Many of the lessons include simulations, interactive tools, podcasts and videos.  Sort lessons to meet your needs by standards, concepts, lesson type (economics/personal finance), grade level, and interactive tools. Teacher Review