Process
The U.S. Treasury Department is thrilled you have accepted the responsibility of designing the new $2 coin. You will work in a team of four students that will be assigned by your teacher. You will need to complete all steps of the Web Quest to complete the assignment. Get your thinking caps on and get started!
Step 1- Build Your Team
Each of you will be taking on a specific job. Read each job carefully to know the qualifications you must have to help you decide which job may be best suited for your personal strengths and interests.
Research Specialist- This person will gather and record information about current U.S. coins. The researcher will take notes on the index cards provided by your teacher and answer specific questions outlined in Step 2 of the assignment. Qualifications include strong reading skills, clearly written communication/note taking skills, and neat organizational skills.
Artist/Designer- This person uses input from others on the team to draw a design for the front and back of the coin. The artist may use paper and colored pencils, computer graphics, or a combination of both. Qualifications include strong drawing skills, neatness in work habits, and ability to work well with other team members.
Project Supervisor-This person gathers all the materials for the team, including index cards, paper, colored pencils, etc. The project supervisor will oversee the actual construction of the project and make sure all guidelines are followed and all elements of the assignment are completed. This person will make the final decision as to what metal the new coin will be made out of. Qualifications include good organizational skills, good communication skills, and good attention to detail.
Writer-This person will write the persuasive letter to Congress as to why the design is relevant to U.S. history and why this person, place, or thing should be represented on a new coin. Qualifications include strong writing skills, neatness, and good knowledge of history.
Step 2-Research Current U.S. Coins
You must first research current U.S. coins at the U.S.Mint. You must gather information and answer the questions below on the penny, nickel, dime, quarter, half-dollar, and dollar coin. You must write this information on 5 index cards provided by the teacher, one card for each coin. This will help you to know who or what is already represented on U.S. coins, so your idea for the new coin design is original and relevant to American history. It will also give you information on the types of metal used to make coins.
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Who is on the front side of the coin?
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Why is this person important to history?
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What is on the back side of the coin?
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Why is this important to history?
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What is the coin made of?
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One interesting fact about this coin is:
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One lexicon (or saying) associated with this coin is:
Step 3-Design the New Coin
Your team must research at least 10 different historical figures, symbols, places or events and decide who or what gets to go on the new $2 coin. You must list all 10 researched subjects on notebook paper with 2-3 sentences explaining the historical significance for each one. When designing your coin, remember the words "In God We Trust", "E Pluribus Unum", "Liberty", and "United States of America", along with the current year and the coin's denomination (the name/value of the coin) must be in the coin's design. You must follow the guidelines outlined by the U.S.Treasury Department as stated in the Task section of the Web Quest. You may want to look at Ben's Guide to U.S. Government or Social Studies for Kids websites for your research. Be original in your design, and try to think about subjects that are important, but have not already been honored on a coin or paper money. Some examples are American Veterans, American inventors, famous battles in U.S. history, national landmarks, explorers, great leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr. There are many possibilities, but remember your team must explain why this person or thing deserves to be represented on the new coin in the persuasive letter portion of this assignment.
Step 4-Write a Persuasive Letter
Your team must write a letter to Congress to persuade them to approve your design so the U.S. Mint can begin the process for the new $2 coin to begin circulation in the economy. Your team must explain who you have choosen and why this person should be on the new coin. All places, events, or symbols must be relevant to American history and the explanation of these facts will support your persuasive letter. Click here for an explanation of persuasive writing and a good example of a persuasive letter.
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