In a ceremony on November 13, 2006, the United States Mint celebrated the release of the South Dakota quarter.  The ceremony marked the release of the fortieth state to be commemorated as a part of the 50 State Quarters^® Program.

South Dakota's coin features an image of the State bird, a Chinese ring-necked pheasant, Mount Rushmore National Monument, featuring the faces of four American Presidents, and heads of wheat.

Teachers, below you will find several activities and links that will bring the features of the South Dakota coin and the excitement of the South Dakota "State Quarter Day" into your classroom!

South Dakota Quarter

Learn more about the new quarter featuring a Chinese ring-necked pheasant, Mount Rushmore National Monument, and heads of wheat.

• For kids
• For adults

50 State Quarters Program

Find out more about this program that honors every state in America!

• For kids
• For adults

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 South Dakota quarter:  Famous Faces (K–1), Follow the Leader (2–3), and What An Accomplishment! (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 Coin Collector's Workshop!  Here, you can enroll in Inspector Collector's Coin Course, or solve coin mysteries in Get a Clue About Collecting.  You can even learn How To Share Your Hobby!

"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

The South Dakota quarter pays special attention to Mount Rushmore National Monument, which features the faces of four American Presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.  This national monument was sculpted by human hands, taking 14 years to complete.

Take a look at two other state quarters that features a national monument created by nature and one that is shaped by humans.

	2006 Nebraska Quarter—This state quarter shows "Chimney Rock", the natural wonder rising from the valley of the North Platte River.  Chimney Rock became a National Historic Site in 1956.
	2003 Missouri Quarter—his state quarter depicts from "sea to shining sea" through the modern design of a 630 feet stainless steel Gateway Arch.  This famous landmark, among the tallest monuments in our Nation, reminds us of the many pioneers who came through Missouri on their journey to the west.

The South Dakota quarter also features an image of the state bird in flight.  This Chinese ring-necked pheasant is a unique and brightly colored bird that was brought to South Dakota in 1898.  Since then these pheasants have enjoyed the habitat of the Midwest while birdwatchers enjoy spotting them.

Take a look at some other coins that feature birds on the reverse of their coin:

	2003 Arkansas Quarter—This state quarter uses a duck in flight over a lake in a forest showing an abundance of nature on the landscape and lots of opportunity for outdoor recreation.
	2005 Minnesota Quarter—Floating on the lake is Minnesota's state bird, the loon.  By its name, you might think this bird would be a little...well, loony.  But it's actually quite graceful, swift, and beautiful.

Our Foreign Friends

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).

Quarter Games

	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.
	Here's a challenge for your students!  Put all the pieces of the South Dakota quarter back together—in three minutes or less!
	Are your students budding artists?  Let them try their hands at painting the South Dakota quarter.  Let your students' imaginations run wild!
	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!