The Stock Market Game™

1. What distinguishes the SMG program from other Investment simulations on the Web?

SMG is the only market simulation that is endorsed by the New York Stock Exchange and is correlated to voluntary national and state standards in Math, Economics, Business Education, English Language Arts, Family and Consumer Sciences, Technology and Social Studies. It is run by a non-profit foundation that does not accept advertising or merchandise company products in delivering the program. It has more than 30 years of educational programming built into and around it and is played in schools around the world. This year 700,000 students, along with their 25,000 teachers, used the SMG program to improve their basic skills, learned about our economic system, and had fun!

Further, its hands-on support system for teachers includes workshop training, lesson plans, comprehensive curriculum materials, and a network of state-based distribution organizations, and state SMG coordinators who administer the program and provide "TLC".

Please note: Data collected in the SMG registration process is never given to third parties or used for commercial purposes.

2. What kind of costs are involved?

There are fees that vary from state to state. View your local program information by clicking here.

3. How do I register?

To register in your area, begin by clicking here.

4. What is the support system for teachers participating for the first time?

There are many ways you are supported via SMG. State coordinators provide personal attention. Additionally, you have access to regularly scheduled training classes, monthly newsletters and updates, and an on-line Teacher Support Center to help you learn more about successfully incorporating the program into your classroom.

Through the support system, you will not only be guided through the "process," you'll also be prepared to make the most of SMG in your class.

5. Who can participate?

Anyone interested in learning more about investing can participate. Although the program is primarily used in grades 4 through 12, potential investors of all ages and economic means can benefit from practicing first with the SMG program.

6. What do I need to know about investing?

The SMG program is designed so students and teachers learn as they go along; therefore, minimal knowledge about investing is needed. In fact, it serves as a valuable tool to learn basic investing skills. To enhance the experience, there are many resources available to participants: Teachers and other adults have access to a variety of curriculum guides and materials made available in the on-line Teacher Support Center.

Each lesson plan in the Teacher Support Center offers 2-3 paragraphs of teacher background to familiarize the teacher with the topic covered in the lesson. In addition, there is a link to Investor Background available for further information and detail.

7. Do I need to be technology proficient?

To participate in the SMG, simple keyboarding and PC skills are needed. Basic Internet and Web-surfing knowledge can be acquired quickly and easily. Teachers can also reference the new SMG Advisor's Companion located in the Teacher Support center.

8. Do I need computers in the classroom?

The SMG is a simulation program where students manage an on-line portfolio. Access to a computer in school is preferred, but students can access portfolios anywhere there is Internet availability (school, home, library). In addition teachers who have limited access to computers have found creative ways to participate, such as conducting the program as an extracurricular activity, during lunch or after school.

9. How do I make time for the program in a full curriculum?

The flexibility of the program allows you to use it with a variety of subjects, including Social Studies, Mathematics, Business, English and Language Arts, Technology, Family and Consumer Sciences as well as Economics. It can be integrated into school clubs, lunch or rainy day programs, after school, and gifted student activities.

Lessons are about a period in length, but can be adjusted to suit your classroom needs. At least one period a week is recommended.

10. How much class time does it take?

It takes 3 or 4 class periods to introduce your students to the SMG, which can be started before the game officially begins. Once it starts, students should have the opportunity to post trades once a week or more frequently. You have the flexibility of choosing how much or how little class time to devote to the program.

11. Why should my class participate?

SMG helps your students learn and understand the stock market, and the costs and benefits involved in investing, decision making, and other related economic concepts. It has cross-curriculum benefits and can help participants learn important life skills such as budgeting, decision-making, and personal finance.

The lessons and activities available in the Teacher Support Center provide students the opportunity to practice skills used in standardized testing (graphics, charts, DBQ, etc.).

12. How can I measure how well my students are doing? Are there evaluation tools available?

In the teacher Support Center there are tools to use for assessing student understanding of the concepts taught. Multiple choice, pre- and post- tests are available for each unit (with answer keys), as well as overarching projects (with rubrics for grading).

Lastly, SMG hosts a national essay contest, InvestWrite, to identify the students' grasp of saving and investing.

13. For what grades is the program appropriate?

Because the SMG program can be used to meet requirements in so many subjects, teaching strategies will vary with the age of the student participants. It's not unusual for students to participate in the program several times between grades 4 through 12, focusing on different areas with each new program. Visit the Teacher Support Center for an in depth presentation of the teaching materials available.

14. Does the program help me meet my state's learning standards?

The SMG program has been correlated to national and state standards for Economics, Mathematics, Business, English and Language Arts, Social Studies, Technology, and Family and Consumer Sciences. This commitment assures teachers that the SMG program provides a meaningful educational activity. The correlations can be helpful guidelines in using the SMG program to meet state or local standards in these areas. (See the Standards section in the Teacher Support Center for the most updated information. Information is also available from the SMG coordinators.)

15. What curriculum materials are available to help me teach my students about the stock market?

There are many tools available. Visit the Teacher Support Center's "In The Classroom" section to view Lessons and Activities, suggested projects, as well as newsletters (available in English and Spanish).

16. As a teacher, can I participate as my own team?

Yes, many teachers participate and are encouraged to do so. The SMG can serve as a learning tool for you as well as your students, and as a practice drill for self-education on the benefits of investing in the stock market. You just need to register for the teacher only game within your local program.

17. How secure is the program?

Your teams' IDs and passwords are secure on our system. Since each SMG ID is set up for an individual team, it's important to stress to your students the importance of safeguarding their Ids.

18. What do I do with my teacher/advisor login account?

The Stock Market Game™ offers this unique on-line feature that allows teachers or advisors to oversee team portfolios more effectively and to access other important teacher/advisor resource materials on-line via the Teacher Support Center.

Teachers/advisors who register one or more teams are provided a login account free of charge. With it, you can easily access any of your team portfolios, even while the team has the portfolio open. In addition, you can access: Rules of the Game, useful outside links, and your state coordinator's home page, if one is available. The teacher/advisor login can also be used to change your password.