August 10 marks two very special events for the state of Missouri.  Not only is Missouri's birthday celebrated on this date, but in 2003, this date also marked the release of the newest quarter in the 50 State Quarters® Program.  The ceremony, which was held at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia, MO, marked the release of the twenty-fourth state to be celebrated as a part of this special program.

Teachers, below you will find several activities and links that will bring the excitement of Missouri's "State Quarter Day" into your classroom!

Missouri Quarter

Learn more about the latest quarter and the important journey that inspired it.

• 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 Missouri quarter:  Sorting by Site (K–1), A Trip Back in Time (2–3), and Discovering Descriptions (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.

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.

A Coin from the Coast

Read all about Missouri's connection to this fall month, then try out the new Teacher Feature, "Become and Expert!"  This exploration of some of Missouri's greatest achievements will remind your students about the importance that each state plays in our country's development.

"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 accomplishments of the Corps of Discovery are not only recognized on Missouri's quarter reverse, but a handful of other wonderful coins as well!  Did you know that the United States was involved in Lewis and Clark's journey back in the early 1800s?  The Mint created several peace medals for these men to take along on their travels and to present to new friends that they encountered along their route.  Curious to learn more about the Mint's connection to this great point in American history?  Visit the links below!

The 2002 Louisiana quarter design highlights the purchase of land made by Thomas Jefferson which greatly expanded the boundaries of our country.  Once this land belonged to the U.S., President Jefferson requested that Lewis and Clark lead their famous expedition through this uncharted land. For more related lesson plans, explore the 2002 50 State Quarters Program lesson plans which feature the Louisiana's quarter design.
Just 100 years after Lewis and Clark finished their trek to the west, the United States Mint designed a special Lewis and Clark Exposition Commemorative Gold Dollar.  Read all about this coin tribute in May 2001's Coin of the Month.
During their travels, Lewis and Clark met a Shoshone woman who would become invaluable as both an interpreter and a guide through these uncharted lands.  In late 1999, the United States Mint began producing the Sacagawea Golden Dollar in order to commemorate the contributions made to this important expedition.

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

	Here's a challenge for your students!  Put all the pieces of the Missouri quarter back together—in three minutes or less!
	Are your students budding artists?  Let them try their hands at painting the Missouri quarter.  A blue Arch spanning an orange river...let their 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!