Effigy Mounds National Monument: Explanatory Texts

• 1 overhead projector or other classroom technology
• 1 overhead transparency (or equivalent) of the following:
  • "2017 Effigy Mounds National Monument America the Beautiful Quarter reverse" image
• Copies of the following:
  • "2017 Effigy Mounds National Monument America the Beautiful Quarter reverse" image
  • "Effigy Mounds: Explanatory Texts Checklist and Worksheet" (one per student)
• Websites that provide background on Effigy Mounds National Monument:
  • /coins/coin-medal-programs/america-the-beautiful-quarters/effigy-mounds-national-monument
  • https://www.nps.gov/efmo/index.htm
  • https://www.nps.gov/efmo/learn/historyculture/effigy-moundbuilders.htm
  • https://www.nps.gov/efmo/learn/education/index.htm

• Make an overhead transparency (or equivalent) of the following
  • "2017 Effigy Mounds National Monument America the Beautiful Quarter reverse" image
  • "Effigy Mounds: Explanatory Texts Checklist and Worksheet" (one per student)
• Make copies of the following:
  • "2017 Effigy Mounds National Monument America the Beautiful Quarter reverse" image
  • "Effigy Mounds: Explanatory Texts Checklist and Worksheet" (one per student)
• Bookmark websites that provide background on Effigy Mounds National Monument:
  
  • /coins/coin-medal-programs/america-the-beautiful-quarters/effigy-mounds-national-monument
  • https://www.nps.gov/efmo/index.htm
  • https://www.nps.gov/efmo/learn/historyculture/effigy-moundbuilders.htm
  • https://www.nps.gov/efmo/learn/education/index.htm

1. Display and examine the 2017 Effigy Mounds National Monument quarter reverse image.
2. Explain that this coin is worth twenty-five cents.
3. Ask the students what information may be inferred from the inscriptions. As students make their inferences, list them on the board or chart paper.
4. Explain that Effigy Mounds National Monument was established in 1949. The park protects one of the largest remaining concentrations of ancient American Indian earthworks in the United States. It is considered a sacred landscape by members of many modern-day tribes whose ancestors once lived here. The park is home to more than 200 mounds in a wide variety of forms, including more than 30 animal or bird-shaped "effigy" mounds for which the park is named. Often more than 100 feet long individually, many of these animal and bird shaped mounds are perched high atop rugged bluffs overlooking the adjacent Mississippi River. Aside from preserving these tangible links to an ancient and highly creative people, the park features outstanding views of the Mississippi River Valley, and hosts many of the native plant and animal communities that sustained people in this area for millennia.
5. Referencing the image, explain that the 2017 Effigy Mounds National Monument (IA) Quarter reverse coin design depicts an aerial view of mounds in the Marching Bear Group. Inscriptions are "EFFIGY MOUNDS," "IOWA," "2017," and "E PLURIBUS UNUM."
6. Using the websites listed in "preparation," have a class discussion about the mounds and their significance.
7. Hand out the "Effigy Mounds Explanatory Texts Checklist and Worksheet" and explain that the class will write a short explanatory sample of writing that summarizes facts about Effigy Mounds.
8. Explain that their summary must have the following: An introduction, facts supporting a point and a conclusion.
9. Have the students complete the checklist as they work.
10. Collect the worksheets.

• Provide printed texts for review during assignment.
• Allow students to use computers to write text.
• Have students work in pairs or groups.

• Explore other contributions by Native Americans by visiting the U.S. Mint's Native American $1 Coin page and have students design their own coin symbolizing a contribution from Native Americans.

• Have students create multimedia presentations using materials from the websites listed under preparations.

Effigy Mounds: Explanatory Texts Checklist and Worksheet

Name:_____________________________
 Date:______________________________

Directions: Circle each as you complete.

• I used an introduction.
• I added at least one fact.
• I used a conclusion

<