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The Identity of Coins

Main Subject Area: Science

Additional Subjects: Art

Duration of Lesson:  45 minutes

Keywords:

• Characteristics
• Coins
• Dime
• Nickel
• Penny
• Quarter

Brief Description:

Students will observe and make rubbings of circulating U.S. coins.

National Standard(s):

• Science as inquiry
• Physical science

Additional Subject Area Standard(s):

Objectives:

Students will use basic scientific skills of observation and description to provide specific characteristics of various coin types.

Materials (online):

Materials (offline):

Several circulating U.S. pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters

Magnifying glasses or stereomicroscopes

Lab notebooks

Pencils

Coins Used in Lesson:

Circulating U.S. pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters

Grade Level(s):   3-5     6-8  

Procedures (online):

Procedures (offline):

Students will work in groups of two for this assignment. They should record their steps and observations in their lab notebook.

1. Each group will receive one of each coin denomination. They will then record various visible characteristics for each coin.

2. Once the students have made their initial observations, they will then use hand held magnifying glasses or stereomicroscopes to make more detailed observations.

3. Finally, the students will make graphite copies (coin rubbings) of the coins by placing thin white paper over the coin and using a pencil and move across the covered coin. The details of the coin will be shown through the graphite on the white paper.

4. The students will share with the other groups coin specifics they have determined.

Assessment / Evaluation:

Students will be given data regarding “unknown” coins. Using previous knowledge the students developed, the students will be able to identify what type of coin the information relates to.

Differentiated Learning Options:

n/a