Right on the Money
Elementary school teachers looking for a new way to teach American history, geography, and mathematics can add a few ducats to their coin purses, thanks to a program from the U.S. Mint that incorporates the new state quarters into lesson plans.
“Coins are traditionally an educational tool,” said Michael White, a spokesman for the Mint.
The lesson plans allow students in grades K-6 to become numismatists—coin collectors, in everyday terms—and learn some interesting facts and stories about each state.
Since the “50 State Quarters” program began in 1999, 10 quarters have been released. The program is scheduled to release a new commemorative coin every 10 weeks through 2008.
The figure on the Delaware state coin, for example, is often misidentified as Paul Revere, Mr. White said.
In fact, the figure on horseback is Caesar Rodney, who rode 80 miles through rainstorms on July 1, 1776, to cast the deciding vote for the Declaration of Independence.
Similar stories from American history are included in the lesson plans designed for kindergarten and 1st grade, along with lessons in patterning, counting, and coin identification.
The curriculum materials for grades 2-3 include lessons on states and their capitals, civics, arithmetic, multiplication, and money values.
Lessons in American geography are included in the plans for grades 4- 6, along with U.S. government.
—Michelle Galley
