State quarters: cross-curricular fun with the new designs - numismatics can provide framework for fun learning

Spare Change Scavenger Hunt

Familiarize your students with the similarities, differences, and historical significance of the state quarter designs by sending them on a scavenger hunt, right in the classroom! Go to www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/index.cfm to print out the designs, or obtain several sets of quarters, if possible. Then construct a list of questions based on the designs. You might ask, "Which quarters feature a horse in their designs?", "Which show musical instruments?", "Which indicate statehood during the 1700s?", and "Which feature plants?" Divide the class into small groups, then give each group the questions and quarter designs. Have the students in each group work together to answer the questions. Then review and discuss the answers as a class.

Young Numismatists

Capitalize on students' natural tendency to collect things--and reinforce geography learning at the same time--by starting a class state quarter collection. First, obtain a collector's map or book. Then invite pairs of children to plot each quarter on its correct state, one coin a day. Of the 19 state quarters released since 1999, how many can your class collect? Keep the coin map in a safe place, then have students add to it each time a new quarter is issued. You might also invite a speaker from a local numismatic organization to visit your class to generate additional interest in the joys of collecting coins. As an alternative to using actual coins, modify this activity by setting up a large map of the United States, then cutting out the designs and affixing to card stock. Place these "quarters" in a basket and invite children to pull out one at random and plot the coin on its correct state. Encourage the class to label the states with the years their quarters will be released, which are in order of when th e states joined the Union. For example, Mississippi, the last coin planned for release in 2002, became a state in 1817, while Illinois and Alabama, which became states in 1818 and 1819, will be the first to be released in 2003.

Create a New State Quarter

Invite your class to create their own state quarter designs. Before beginning, show your students the designs that have been issued so far. Talk about how each image incorporates some of the history and achievements of its state. Then assign each child a state that has not yet been issued a quarter design. Ask students to learn about the history, landforms cultures, state bird, state tree, and motto of each, then draw their own designs on either side of a paper plate or a 9" construction paper circle. Students can use encyclopedias, reference books, and sites such as www.factmonster.com and www.yahooligans.com Have each student present his or her completed state quarter design to the class and explain the history or reason behind each element chosen.

Pictograph Rubbings

Your students will be fascinated to see images magically appear when they try this unusual graphing activity. To prepare, fill self-sealing bags each with a variety of 20 or more state quarters, and divide the class into small groups. Have each group sort the contents of its bag, then label columns on a graph to represent its quarter collection, as shown. The columns can show the different states, the coins' different mint dates, or the decades that states were admitted into the Union, etc. When all the groups have readied their graphs, show students how to make relief rubbings of quarters in their corresponding columns with colored pencils. To keep coins from moving around, fasten to a surface with tape loops. After each group has had a turn to share its results with the class, collect the bags. Then create a class graph to reflect which state is most prevalent in your collection.

Out of Many, One

The design of each state quarter is unique, although all have a common element. Ask students to examine several quarters. Do they notice E Pluribus Unum printed on the front of each? Explain that this Latin phrase means "Out of Many, One." Ask children to share their ideas about what this means. Explain that these words refer to the joining of many states to create one strong country. Then encourage children to brainstorm other ways that many can make one. For example, students make one class, four quarters make one dollar, 12 eggs make one dozen, nine players make one baseball team, and many voices make one choir. How many items can they name? Post the list in a prominent place, then encourage students to add to it as they discover new ways to express this concept.

The Life of a Quarter

A state quarter can have an intriguing existence--it can bring joy when inserted into an arcade game, nurture compassion when handed to a needy person, or spark hope when tossed into a wishing well. Invite students to write creatively about a week in the life of a state quarter. Before beginning, have each student decide from which point of view he or she will write. From the coin's perspective? From the perspective of whomever carries it? Prompt your authors to consider whether or not their quarters will be spent at a historical site, exchange hands during a unique event, or roll into an exciting adventure. Students can also illustrate their stories for display.