Dear Teachers,
Educating kids is an awesome experience and it is a lot of work! Over the past decade we have build tons of resources to help you as a teacher. Below you will find:
Classroom Tools
Student Incentives
Great Resources & Organizations
National Standards
Classroom Tools!
Sub Plans Outline
Turnkey, stress-free classroom management for guest teachers
Comprehensive sub plan outline made to make it as easy as possible for your substitute teacher.
Substitute Teacher Organization Book
Essential guides and routines for sub days
A complete organizer designed to streamlines schedules, class rules, emergency contacts, and lesson expectations into one easy resource.
Pencil & Notebook Editable Templates
Customizable classroom graphics and labels
Versatile, editable school-themed templates for desk tags, supply labels, or custom instructional notes. Simple to personalize and print for an organized learning space.
Custom BigDeal Classroom Banner
Eye-catching printable wall decor
A large-format customizable banner that sets a positive tone and transforms your learning environment. Easy to print, assemble, and display for maximum visual impact.
Group Work Banners
Visual organizers for collaborative seating and centers
Printable banners designed to clearly define student work areas, group tables, and learning stations. Enhances classroom management and keeps small-group work organized.
"On Your Own" Independent Work Posters
Clear visual anchors for independent learning
Clean, bold printable decor that reminds students of expectations during solo work time. Helps build self-management, focus, and autonomous study habits.
Partnering Work Expectations Posters
Visual anchors for productive peer collaboration
Printable signage that guides students on how to work respectfully and effectively with a partner. Promotes social awareness, communication skills, and active listening.
Teaming Roles & Responsibilities Posters
Structured group work and assigned student roles
Visual display cards that define specific roles (leader, recorder, timekeeper, presenter) during group projects. Streamlines teamwork and ensures every student stays accountable.
The Big Three Rules (Editable)
Simple, impactful classroom rule management
An editable poster set focusing on three core expectations for classroom behavior and respect. Easy to customize, print, and anchor as your foundational community guidelines.
DOTS Behavior Trackers
Visual self-monitoring and goal tracking tools
A simple, hands-on tracking system that helps students visually monitor their own progress and behavior goals. Fosters self-awareness, accountability, and positive reinforcement.
Complete Sentence Writing Posters
Visual writing prompts and grammar anchors
Educational wall decor that reminds students how to structure complete, well-formed sentences. Strengthens ELA mechanics, editing habits, and writing confidence.
National Personal Finance Standards Guide
Comprehensive financial literacy benchmark reference
A complete organizational resource aligning classroom activities with national personal finance standards. Helps educators map out lessons that meet required competencies.
CW-FIT Classroom Management Kit
Interactive PBIS team tracking, behavior posters, and K–12 reward systems
Boost on-task behavior and positive classroom culture with an evidence-based CW-FIT team intervention kit. Features visual behavioral expectation posters, printable 6-team point organizers, and customizable reward passes tailored specifically for Elementary, Middle, and High School environments.
Classroom Door Shield Safety Sign
High-visibility printable door security and campus safety reminder
Maintain essential school safety protocols with a high-visibility printable door sign reminding staff and students to keep classroom doors closed and secured. A simple, effective visual anchor that supports building security procedures and fosters a proactive safety culture across campus.
School Expectations Behavior Matrix
PBIS-aligned visual matrix for classroom, campus, and online behavior
Unify campus expectations with a clean, easy-to-read behavioral matrix built around three core values: Treat Others With Respect, Do What’s Right, and Do Your Best. Provides explicit, positive behavioral guides across five settings (Classroom, Hallway, Cafeteria, Restroom, and Online) to support school-wide consistency and digital citizenship.
Getting To Know You & Favorites Activity
Interactive back-to-school student survey and favorites grid
Students share their unique personalities, favorite memories, personal insights, and favorite things using interactive drop-down menus, text fields, and picture slots. An engaging back-to-school icebreaker designed to build strong student-teacher connections and foster a welcoming classroom community.
Student Incentives!
Your Foldable Town!
Give your students the chance to build their own micro city!
Each unique location is a springboard for conversations about where you live!
The Bank 3D Building Foldable
Hands-on financial institution construction
Students build a 3D bank model while connecting physical structures to financial literacy concepts like saving and deposits. An excellent visual piece for classroom economies.
The Store 3D Building Foldable
Retail and commerce 3D craft
A printable 3D retail store model that connects crafting with ideas of spending, goods, and commerce. Perfect for setting up interactive town layouts and business units.
Property Management 3D Building Foldable
Real estate and facility 3D construction
Students build a 3D property management office to explore ideas around leasing, renting, and facility upkeep. Adds depth to classroom mini-cities and financial simulations.
Attendance Center 3D Building Foldable
School community structure and organization
A 3D foldable model of an attendance office that reinforces daily routines and school community roles. A great addition to school-themed layouts and interactive model towns.
Apartment Building Foldable
Interactive 3D building and housing concepts
Students construct a 3D apartment building while exploring concepts of housing, property management, and community living. This hands-on activity develops spatial reasoning, fine motor skills, and real-world awareness.
Restaurant Foldable
Interactive 3D dining, food service, and economic concepts
Students construct a detailed 3D restaurant model while exploring concepts of hospitality, dining operations, and financial transactions. This hands-on craft develops spatial reasoning, fine motor skills, and practical business awareness.
Library Foldable
Interactive 3D library, community literacy, and resource concepts
Students construct a detailed 3D library model featuring book drop-off slots and media spaces while exploring concepts of public resources and community responsibility. This hands-on craft develops spatial reasoning, fine motor skills, and practical awareness of shared public goods.
Theater Foldable
Interactive 3D Art Deco theater, arts, and entertainment concepts
Students construct a detailed 3D cinema model featuring an Art Deco marquee and interior auditorium view—inspired by the historic Grand Theater in Grand Island, Nebraska. This hands-on craft explores architecture, community arts, and consumer budgeting in classroom economies.
Car Dealership Foldable
Interactive 3D vehicle showroom, transportation budgeting, and sales concepts
Students construct a detailed 3D car dealership building and printable vehicle models while exploring concepts of major purchases, auto loans, and transportation costs. This hands-on craft develops spatial reasoning, fine motor skills, and practical financial decision-making.
Insurance Agency Foldable
Interactive 3D office space, risk management, and financial protection concepts
Students construct a detailed 3D insurance office model featuring computer desks and filing cabinets while exploring concepts of risk management, policies, and protecting financial assets.
Farm & Garden Foldable
Interactive 3D barn, garden plot, and multilingual agriculture concepts
Students construct a detailed 3D barn and garden bed system paired with trilingual crop cards (English, Spanish, French) while exploring food production, agriculture, and farm-to-table economics. This hands-on craft develops spatial reasoning, fine motor skills, and global vocabulary awareness.
Downtown Bundle 3D Foldables
Hands-on community building and local economy design
A complete set of 3D printable buildings that lets students design and assemble their own vibrant city center. Perfect for classroom economy simulations, social studies units, and creative problem-solving.
Fill Up Your Garage!
Roll into some deeper learning as you build your fleet!
Each unique vehicle is colorful, fun and connects with your local economy!
Mail Truck Foldable
Interactive 3D postal truck and financial reflection activity
Students construct a 3D mail delivery truck featuring built-in reflection prompts about saving goals, recent spending, and personal growth. This double-sided craft combines spatial reasoning with meaningful SEL and financial literacy discussions.
Taco Truck Foldable
Entrepreneurship and hands-on vehicle design
Students assemble a colorful 3D taco truck while introducing basics of business, food service, and product design. This low-prep activity encourages engagement, creativity, and fine motor development.
Convertible Car Foldable
Creative vehicle construction and design thinking
Kids build their own sleek 3D convertible car through an engaging print-and-fold craft. This project builds spatial awareness and focus while providing a fun visual model for transportation discussions.
Construction Truck Foldable
Hands-on building, career exploration, and design
Bring heavy machinery to life as students construct a 3D construction truck. Great for career exploration units, spatial skill building, and interactive learning centers.
Ride App Van Foldable
Modern transportation and interactive crafting
Students construct a 3D rideshare van while learning about modern service industries and transportation. A fun, low-prep activity that combines real-world economic ideas with hands-on crafting.
Fire Truck Foldable
Community helpers and 3D vehicle building
Students craft a detailed 3D fire truck while exploring community roles, safety, and teamwork. An engaging hands-on craft that sparks imagination and practical skill building.
Spaceship Foldable
Out-of-this-world crafting and STEM creativity
Fuel student imagination with a 3D spaceship craft inspired by the Galactic Growth series. Perfect for combining science fiction, fine motor skills, and creative spatial design.
Car Garage Bundle
Hands-on structure building and practical systems
Fill up your garage with the amazing vehicles found at GreatCents.org!
Color It Yourself!
Let your students creativity shine as they learn about finances!
These are great for projects!
Van Coloring Sheet
Simple, engaging visual art activity
A clean, fun vehicle coloring sheet that keeps students focused and relaxed during quiet work periods. Perfect for transportation units or art centers.
Food Truck Coloring Sheet
Creative expression and low-prep art
A detailed coloring activity featuring a custom food truck design for early finishers or calm-down corners. Builds fine motor control while encouraging creative design choices.
Car Coloring Sheet
Mindful coloring and vehicle design
An easy-to-use coloring printable featuring a classic car design. Great for building motor skills, focus, and quiet-time engagement.
Truck Coloring Sheet
Low-prep coloring and motor skill building
A bold vehicle coloring page designed for quick setup and creative expression. Ideal for transportation lessons or reward time.
Jet Coloring Sheet
High-flying art and imagination
A sleek jet coloring page that inspires creativity and interest in aviation. Perfect for early finishers, STEM tie-ins, or relaxing brain breaks.
Color-Your-Own 3D Buildings Foldable Set
Interactive 3D building coloring sheets, urban design, and community crafting
Students color, cut, and assemble black-and-white line-art templates into custom 3D community structures—including stores, offices, restaurants, and apartments! An ink-saving, highly creative papercraft that builds spatial reasoning, fine motor control, and personalized classroom economy layouts.
Vehicle Coloring Sheets Bundle
Complete print-and-go coloring collection
A comprehensive set of vehicle coloring pages covering trucks, cars, jets, and more. Gives teachers and parents an instant library of low-prep creative activities.
Creative Creatures Await!
The creatures in the woods are calling!
Give you students a chance to come up with stories using our GreatCents characters brought to life!
Squirrel Foldable
Interactive 3D wildlife craft and forest habitat concepts
Students construct a 3D squirrel model while exploring woodland wildlife, seed gathering, and forest ecosystems. This hands-on activity develops fine motor control, spatial reasoning, and nature awareness.
Turtle Foldable
Hands-on reptile craft, shell mechanics, and patience
Students build a 3D turtle craft complete with a detailed shell while learning about reptiles, animal adaptations, and aquatic or land habitats. Perfect for life science units and fine motor skill practice.
Raccoon Foldable
3D nocturnal animal craft and problem-solving concepts
Kids craft a sitting 3D raccoon model while exploring nocturnal wildlife, animal adaptations, and resourcefulness in nature. Combines hands-on building with engaging life science concepts.
Bluejay Foldable
3D avian craft, bird identification, and flight concepts
Students assemble a colorful 3D bluejay papercraft while learning about backyard birds, feathers, and woodland habitats. Great for spring science units, birdwatching extensions, and spatial practice.
Bat Foldable
Hands-on nocturnal mammal craft and echolocation concepts
Students build a detailed 3D bat with expanded wings while exploring nocturnal mammals, wingspan geometry, and ecosystem benefits. Excellent for biology lessons, fall science, and fine motor skills.
Fish Foldable
3D aquatic life craft and river/ocean ecosystems
Students craft a 3D fish model to explore aquatic habitats, scales, and marine biology. A fun, low-prep visual addition to ocean units, river studies, or science learning centers.
Wildcat Mascot Foldable
Interactive 3D mascot craft, school pride, and creative design
Students construct a fierce 3D Wildcat papercraft complete with detailed limbs and a tail! Includes both full-color and color-your-own line art templates—perfect for celebrating school spirit weeks, sports teams, or local mascot traditions.
3D Animal Foldables Bundle
Complete hands-on wildlife and life science papercraft collection
A comprehensive bundle featuring six 3D animal foldables (Squirrel, Turtle, Raccoon, Bluejay, Bat, and Fish). Gives teachers and parents an instant library of hands-on STEM and life science crafts for classroom economy projects or science centers.
Fun with Food!
What do you put on your burger?
This is a great way to get to know your students and their likes! Each item comes with tons of options. Use this to build your classroom culture!
Pizza Making Station Bundle
Interactive building meets real-world thinking
Students design and build their own pizza station while exploring business choices, menu design, and organization. This engaging activity encourages creativity and helps students think through real-world processes.
3D Cheeseburger & Takeout Box Foldable
Interactive 3D food craft, creative layering, and restaurant play
Students construct a stuffed 3D paper cheeseburger with customizable toppings (cheese, bacon, lettuce, pickles, and more) along with a matching fast-food takeaway box. Uses recycled scrap paper stuffing to give the burger a realistic 3D shape—perfect for culinary arts, classroom economies, or food truck/restaurant play!
3D Taco Truck & Taco Time Bundle
Interactive 3D food truck papercraft, taco crafting, and mobile entrepreneurship
Students construct a 3D mobile food truck alongside a customizable 3D paper taco craft and storage shell container! A hands-on project that combines spatial reasoning, fine motor skills, and creative business design for classroom economies, food truck simulations, or culinary art centers.
3D Chinese Takeout Box Foldable
Interactive 3D takeout container craft, global food culture, and spatial design
Students construct a realistic 3D paper Chinese takeout box complete with interlocking top flaps and customizable food craft inserts! A hands-on activity that combines 3D spatial reasoning, fine motor practice, and culinary culture for classroom economies, world geography studies, or pretend play.
My Museum! Build your own collection!
"Art is the signature of man" G.K. Chesterton
Many students enjoy putting up famous art in their lockers or in their rooms. Each incredible picture comes with important details listed on the backside.
My Museum: Famous Art Portraits Pack
Collectible portrait art cards, art history trivia, and student incentive rewards
Students collect, display, and study six world-famous portrait masterpieces (including the Mona Lisa, The Scream, and Girl with a Pearl Earring)! Each artwork includes a display print and a fact card packed with artist details, medium descriptions, and fun trivia. Perfect as a classroom economy incentive reward, ELA writing prompt set, or visual art center.
My Museum: Famous Landscapes & Masterpieces Pack
Collectible landscape art cards, technique breakdowns, and classroom economy rewards
Bring seven iconic masterpieces into your classroom—including Starry Night, The Great Wave, and A Sunday Afternoon! Includes high-resolution artwork prints and detailed collector cards featuring artist history, painting techniques, and fun trivia. Ideal for student reward systems, classroom economy incentives, or cross-curricular art history lessons
My Museum: Teichmeier Original Art Portrait Pack
Collectible artwork cards, personal stories, and student economy rewards
Collect eight original pen-and-ink portrait drawings created by educator and artist Blake Teichmeier! Each piece includes a full-page print and a collector fact card featuring the real story behind the art—from Washington seagulls and farm cat porch memories to historic Charleston cathedrals. Perfect for classroom economy rewards, SEL writing prompts, and visual art centers.
My Museum: Teichmeier Original Art Landscape Pack
Collectible landscape artwork cards, travel logs, and classroom economy incentives
Bring nine original pen-and-ink landscape and architectural drawings into your learning space! Includes high-resolution display prints and detailed collector cards packed with authentic backstories—including Chinese travel adventures, Nebraska harvest fields, and Washington D.C. monuments. Ideal for student reward systems, writing starters, or social studies centers.
Resources & Organizations!
Personal finance resources are everywhere!
Over the years, we have loved discovering and using incredible tools that empower educators and engage students. If you know of a great resource we should feature, please let us know through our Contact Us page!
Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF)
This premier organization provides an extraordinary collection of free resources for educators nationwide.
One of the top places to find standards-aligned personal finance lessons for middle and high school students. The best part? Everything is completely free!
An unmatched lineup of educational games that tie directly into classroom topics.
Our top pick is Build Your Stax, which gives students the hands-on experience of investing over a simulated 20-year period in just 20 minutes.
On Demand Professional Development
NGPF offers flexible, engaging, and free professional development for teachers covering topics from Crypto to Minimum Wage. Recommended modules include Mutual Funds vs. ETFs, FinTech Apps, and $7.25 – The Minimum Wage.
Everfi provides interactive online learning modules across dozens of real-world topics, serving as an exceptional supplement to core instruction.
Excellent grade-level options include Vault (6th grade), FutureSmart(7th grade), and Smart Economics (8th grade). Vault remains a student favorite year after year!
A premiere annual conference for educators. In 2025, GreatCents had the privilege of presenting as a main speaker, sharing strategies for building hands-on classroom economies.
Nebraska Council on Economic Education (NCEE)
NCEE plays a leading role in personal finance education, equipping Nebraska teachers and students with top-tier tools and programs.
If you are launching or updating a Personal Finance class, this is the essential starting point for high-quality, free teaching materials. Reach out to the NCEE team and they will get your course fully set up.
NCEE hosts interactive statewide programs that take classroom learning to the next level. Engage your students with the Nebraska Stock Market Game, Personal Finance Challenge, School Savings Programs, or even a Financial Literacy Concert!
Virtual Professional Development
Access flexible, recorded workshops covering foundational economic and financial topics—including their popular deep-dive session on Capitalism vs. Socialism.
Council for Economic Education (CEE)
CEE leads national efforts to advocate for financial literacy in K-12 education, providing benchmark standards and nationwide professional networking events.
National K-12 Personal Finance Standards
The foundational national framework outlining core financial concepts, benchmarks, and grade-level expectations for K-12 students.
Conferences & Featured Presentations
CEE connects educators across the country through premier learning events. Explore our featured presentation slides and session materials shared directly from GreatCents conference presentations.
Thriving in the Digital Age with Your Feet on the Ground
Learning Through Experience
Social Emotional Learning and Personal Finances
Federal Reserve Education (FRE)
A centralized portal bringing together free educational tools, classroom physical items, and interactive media created by Federal Reserve Banks nationwide.
High-quality, eye-catching posters designed for classroom displays. Perfect for anchoring financial lessons, decorating room walls, and sparking meaningful student discussions.
Incredible, full-length educational comic books available for free physical order. They turn complex economic and financial concepts into fun, narrative stories that students genuinely enjoy reading.
A handy deck of physical reference cards providing clear, succinct, and easy-to-digest definitions for key personal finance and economic vocabulary.
Hosted by the St. Louis Fed, this premier database provides real-time economic graphs, historical financial trends, and interactive data literacy tools for student research and classroom analysis.
A go-to reference for practical financial comparisons, clear breakdowns of credit cards and banking tools, and real-world consumer guides.
The gold standard for financial dictionaries, clear explanations of complex investing terms, and step-by-step market tutorials.
Powered by the Council for Economic Education, this portal provides hundreds of free, searchable K-12 economics and personal finance lesson plans.
National Standards
The Council for Economic Education (CEE) and the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy (Jump$tart) have collaborated in creating the National Standards for Personal Financial Education.
Together they have broken down the content into 6 simple categories:
2021-National-Standards-for-Personal-Financial-Education.pdfStandards & Resources!
Below you will find each of the standards and links to helpful resources to help you teach about the concept.
"This topic focuses on income earned or received by people and the various taxes that are assessed on income."
"This topic concerns choices that people make to allocate their scarce resources to necessary and desired goods and services."
"The Saving standards focus on how people save money, where they save money, and why they save money."
"...the Investing standards focus on funds set aside for future long-term goals, invested in riskier financial assets with the expectation of increasing future wealth or income."
"This topic covers why and how people borrow money, the cost of credit, and the potential effect on a person’s finances."
"The standards under this topic cover the variety of ways that wealth, property, and income are vulnerable to loss from unexpected events and the methods available to individuals for managing these risks."