Lesson Plan

How Are Coins Different?

Main Subject Area: Language Arts

Keywords:

• Paragraph

Brief Description:

Students use sets of circulating coins to determine the unique characteristics of each coin. They then create paragraphs and illustrations to convey what makes each coin in our pockets special.

National Standard(s):

• Demonstrate competence in speaking and listening as tools for learning

Additional Subject Area Standard(s):

Objectives:

Students will be able to list the unique characteristics for each circulating U.S. coin and convey these characteristics in a paragraphs and illustrations.

Materials (online):

Materials (offline):

Six sets of U.S. circulating coins - a cent, nickel, dime, quarter, half-dollar, and dollar; pencils or pens; art supplies; and paper.

Coins Used in Lesson:

Grade Level(s):   K-2  

Procedures (online):

Procedures (offline):

1. Divide the students into six groups, and give each team a set of U.S. circulating coins - a cent, nickel, dime, quarter, half-dollar, and dollar. Give students a few minutes to examine all the coins.

2. As a class, briefly discuss how the coins compare with each other. Ask questions such as: Are the coins all the same? In what ways are they different? In what ways are they alike?

3. Have each team pick a different coin. Working together, have the team members list everything that makes their coin different from the others in the set.

4. Ask each team to share its list with the class. Check to see if any of the teams listed duplicate items. As a class, refine and finalize the lists of unique attributes for each coin.

5. Have each group write a descriptive paragraph about its coin using the final list discussed by the class. In addition, have the team illustrate each of the coin's unique characteristics.

Assessment / Evaluation:

Were the student teams able to develop lists of unique characteristics? Did the descriptive paragraphs they wrote have a topic sentence followed by supporting details? Did their illustrations show the coins' unique details?

Differentiated Learning Options: