Iowa has a proud history of providing top-quality education to its students. It's no wonder then, that Iowa selected Grant Wood's "Arbor Day" painting and the phrase "Foundation in Education" for the coin's design. In a ceremony on September 3, 2004, the United States Mint celebrated the release of Iowa's quarter. The ceremony, held at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines marked the release of the twenty-ninth state to be celebrated as a part of the 50 State Quarters® Program.
Iowa Quarter
Learn more about the new quarter and how Iowa values its "Foundation in Education".
50 State Quarters Program
Find out more about this program that honors every state in America!
50 State Quarters Program Lesson Plans
The 50 State Quarters Program lesson plans are ready for you to use in your classroom! Take a look at the lessons created specifically to celebrate the Iowa quarter: The Value of Coins (K–1), It Matters to Me (2–3), and Every Picture Tells a Story (4–6)! After that, be sure to check out the rest of the state-specific plans, FREE to download in sets designed specifically for grades K and 1, 2 and 3, and 4 through 6.
Are you a secondary school teacher interested in introducing the 50 State Quarters Program into your curriculum? Well, now you can! Our 50 State Quarters Program lesson plans for grades 7 through 12 are also written by educators. To download these FREE plans, visit the 50 State Quarters Program Lesson Plans today!
State Quarter Day Classroom Activities
Here are some fun ways to infuse your curriculum with activities that celebrate the arrival of the newest quarter in circulation!
Also, take a trip to Get a Clue About Collecting to Find the Hidden Coins that are a part of the 50 State Quarters Program.
Intrigued with Iowa!
Not only is Iowa's quarter the newest coin to be released into circulation, but it was also the Coin of the Month for August 2004! See why Iowa's special design is worth celebrating, then check out the new Teacher Feature, "Aluminum Altruism". In this teacher feature, you'll teach your students the value of recycling with an environmentally-friendly activity!
"Seeing the States" WebQuest
What's so great about the United States? Let your students find out for themselves as they explore the coins in the 50 State Quarters Program to complete this fun Internet research project, the "Seeing the States" WebQuest.
Connected Coins and Medals
Iowa's "foundation in education" is based on long-standing community support and commitment for quality schools, where students feel safe, respected and challenged to learn to their highest potential. Teachers in Iowa are nationally recognized as among the highest quality in their profession, committed to students and lifelong learning. Take a look below at some other coins that depict the importance of education and educators:
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Little Rock Nine Medal—In 1954, the Supreme Court declared that segregation—keeping African American people separated from White people in public places—was unconstitutional. In September of 1957, nine African American students began their school year by entering an all-White high school in Little Rock, Arkansas. Though some students treated them badly, they stood up for their right to go to Central High and helped open the door to racial justice. |
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Booker T. Washington Memorial Half Dollar—This coin was the first to feature an African American. It celebrates the life of a famous educator, Booker T. Washington, who was born a slave in Virginia in 1856. Washington went on to found the Tuskegee Institute, a college for African American teachers and businessmen. |
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Alabama Quarter—Helen Keller is celebrated on this quarter for her "spirit of courage". Though she couldn't see or hear, she worked hard to learn how to do some amazing things, such as write books, give speeches, read raised letters and Braille, and earn a degree at college. |
Our Foreign Friends
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The coins produced for the 50 State Quarters Program share much in common with the European currency, the euro. With your students, visit the interactive cartoon, Coins of the World, to see how these two programs are similar (here's a hint: look at the backs of euros from different countries, and then look at their fronts). |
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Quarter Games
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Your students can test their knowledge of United States geography and the 50 State Quarters Program, all while helping Bill the Mint Buffalo earn enough money to plan a cross-country trip. |
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Here's a challenge for your students! Put all the pieces of the Iowa quarter back together—in three minutes or less! |
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Are your students budding artists? Let them try their hands at painting the Iowa quarter. A purple schoolhouse and orange tree? Let your students' imaginations run wild! |
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Here's a word search all about quarters and other coins. Can your students find all the words on each list? |
A Coinage Cartoon
Teachers' Network
Teachers, if we've piqued your interest with the activities above, please sign up for the Teachers' Network. As a member, you can receive information about all of the new educational resources that become available from the United States Mint!
