In the video below the Google Gooru shows how to force users to create a copy of your Google Spreadsheet. This is a great way to easily share templates with students.

Steps:

1.) Click the blue Share button at the top right corner of your Google Spreadsheet’s screen.

2.) Copy the URL within the window that appears.

3.) Paste this URL in an email to whomever you want to share it with.

4.) Add “&newcopy=true” to the end of the URL (remove the ” “)

Source: http://www.googlegooru.com/how-to-force-a-copy-when-sharing-a-google-doc/