On January 31, 2005, the United States Mint released the thirty-first quarter as part of the 50 State Quarters® Program. California displays John Muir and Yosemite Valley on the newest quarter.
Teachers, below you will find several activities and links that will bring the excitement of California's "State Quarter Day" into your classroom!
California Quarter
Learn more about the new quarter and John Muir, the "Father of Our National Parks."
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 California quarter: Conservation (K–1), You Can Depend on me (2–3), and Rock On! (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!
California is Beautiful!
Not only is California's quarter the newest coin to be released into circulation, but it was also the Coin of the Month for February 2005. See why California's's special design is worth celebrating, then check out the new Teacher Feature, "Natural Beauty". In this teacher feature, students will learn more about John Muir and some of our most famous scenic National Parks.
"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 California quarter isn't the first coin to celebrate a natural event that brings people to a state or region. Take a look at some other coins that highlight a natural event:
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1848 California Gold Quarter Eagle—Learn more about the "quarter eagle" from 1848. It is possibly made from the first shipment of gold sent back east during the California Gold Rush! |
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Yellowstone National Park Commemorative Silver Dollar—This commemorative coin features geysers and the American buffalo. Read more to find out about this fascinating National Park where a massive volcanic eruption spewed a huge volume of ash that covered all of the western United States, much of the Midwest, northern Mexico and some areas of the eastern Pacific. |
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 California 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 California quarter. A green bird and John Muir decorated in color? 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!
