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 2010 and 2011 plans are general in nature and can apply to multiple national sites, maybe even one in your own state!
White Mountain National Forest, Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial, Great Basin National Park, Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Mount Rushmore National Memorial
K and 1
- Pair Us Down White Mountain: White Mountain National Forest
- Geometric Celebration: Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial
- Oh, the Life of a Tree: Great Basin National Park
- This Coin is Our Song: Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
- My Personal Mount Rushmore: Mount Rushmore National Memorial
2 and 3
- Let's Take A Hike!: White Mountain National Forest
- What is Peace?: Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial
- Tree Detectives: Great Basin National Park
- Inspired by the Flag: Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
- Mountains of Traits: Mount Rushmore National Memorial
4 through 6
- Survival on Mt. Chocorua: White Mountain National Forest
- Timing on Lake Erie: Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial
- Influenced by History: Great Basin National Park
- Oh Say! What a Big Flag!: Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
- Faces of Mount Rushmore: Mount Rushmore National Memorial
7 and 8
- Mountain on the Rise: White Mountain National Forest
- Picture of Peace: Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial
- Great Bristlecone!: Great Basin National Park
- Why? Because and Effect: Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
- Working Diary: Mount Rushmore National Memorial
9 through 12
- A Visit to White Mountain: White Mountain National Forest
- Peace in Word and Deed: Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial
- Form Meets Function: Great Basin National Park
- Key to the National Anthem: Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
- Relevance in Stone: Mount Rushmore National Memorial
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:
