The America the Beautiful Quarters Program, new in 2010, brings selected national sites to this popular circulating coin. Fifty-six different designs make up this series (one for each state, the District of Columbia, and each of five US territories).
On this page, the United States Mint offers free lesson plans (for grades K through 12) based on the new quarter designs. What a great opportunity to connect history with the coins in the very pockets of your students!
The lesson plans are displayed by the year they were released. The majority are general in nature and can apply to multiple national sites, maybe even one in your own state!
El Yunque National Forest, Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Acadia National Park, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, and Denali National Park and Preserve.
K and 1
- Hopping for Frogs: El Yunque National Forest
- Picture Perfect Petroglyphs: Chaco Culture National Historical Park
- Pools of Wonder: Acadia National Park
- Forms Matter!: Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
- Tally Up!: Denali National Park and Preserve
2 and 3
- Tell Me a Tale: El Yunque National Forest
- Trade This, Trade That: Chaco Culture National Historical Park
- Signals for Safety: Acadia National Park
- Haiku in Hawaii: Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
- Land of the Midnight Sun: Denali National Park and Preserve
4 through 6
- Rain, Rain Everywhere: El Yunque National Forest
- Long After We Are Gone ...: Chaco Culture National Historical Park
- Lend a Helping Hand: Acadia National Park
- Cooking Up a Volcano: Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
- Adapting to Denali: Denali National Park and Preserve
7 and 8
- It's Just Water: El Yunque National Forest
- What was the Effect?: Chaco Culture National Historical Park
- Acadia Adaptations: Acadia National Park
- What are the Reasons?: Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
- Critterpages: Denali National Park and Preserve
9 through 12
Gettysburg National Military Park, Glacier National Park, Olympic National Park, Vicksburg National Military Park, and Chickasaw National Recreation Area
K and 1
2 and 3
- A Day in the Life (this lesson plan is specific to military parks and sites)
- Safety First!
- Weather Watchers
4 through 6
7 and 8
9 through 12
Hot Springs National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, and Mt. Hood National Forest
K and 1
2 and 3
4 through 6
- Working the Land: Natural Occupations
- Geothermal Greatness
- Representing the National Parks and Forest
7 and 8
9 through 12
To find out more about these coins, check out:
