On March 8, 1999, the United States Mint announced that the first shipment of Pennsylvania quarters were on their way to the Federal Reserve and eventually into the pockets of citizens around the country!  This announcement made the "Keystone State" only the second state to be commemorated in the fascinating 50 State Quarters® Program.

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

Pennsylvania Quarter

Learn more about the latest quarter and the important symbols 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 now available on the H.I.P. Pocket Change^™ Web site for use in your classroom!  Check out these exciting plans that are FREE to download, and are available in sets designed specifically for grades K–1, 2–3, and 4–6.

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!

Pennsylvania and the United States Mint

The United States' very first official Mint was established in Philadelphia, PA in 1792.  Visit the United States Mint Web site to learn some of the history of this important Mint and then return to H.I.P. Pocket Change to see how you can schedule a special tour for your students!

Connected Coins and Medals

	All 13 colonies were represented in Philadelphia at the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.  To learn about some other coins with ties to the Independence of our nation, read up on the Ben Franklin- Liberty Bell Half-Dollar and the 1976 Bicentennial Quarter, both former HPC Coins of the Month!
	Only a few years later our country's leaders returned to Philadelphia to draft and sign our most important laws in the U.S. Constitution.  Read all about the Constitutional Bicentennial Commemorative Silver Dollar that celebrates this important September day in 1787.

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 Pennsylvania quarter back together—in three minutes or less!
	Are your students budding artists?  Let them try their hands at painting the Pennsylvania quarter.  An orange keystone, blue wording...let your imagination 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!