Washington -- The United States Mint continues to bring the excitement of America’s extraordinarily popular 50 State Quarters® Program into the classroom with lesson plans for 2002. Available online at the United States Mint H.I.P. Pocket Change™ (HPC) Web site at www.usmint.gov/kids, these free lesson plans (for grades K–1, 2–3, and 4–6) are designed to bring life to the history and heritage of our country.

“When coins are used to teach much more than addition and subtraction, they become keys to a broader world,” said United States Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore. “Our goal is to help make learning fun in the classroom, as students gain important academic skills by drawing on the unique symbols chosen by each state.”

Created and reviewed by teachers to meet curricular goals, the plans draw upon the specific designs of the commemorative quarter reverses to help inspire students to learn about the culture, geography, and unique heritage of our states. Each set of lesson plans blends clear instructions with kid-friendly, reproducible worksheets, background information, and answer keys to help make instruction easier for educators. The United States Mint has offered these popular lesson plans every year since the beginning of the 50 State Quarters program.

To download the 50 State Quarters lesson plans, visit the United States Mint HPC Web site at www.usmint.gov/kids.

Educators can make use of several other resources at the site by searching through the growing library of coin-related lesson plans; selecting a Teacher Feature activity that fits right into their curriculum; or signing up for the Teachers’ Network, where they can submit their own creative lesson plans or borrow from those already available on the site. In addition, educators can opt to receive information about special projects, as well as electronic newsletters about new Web site features or upcoming United States Mint events.

The high-quality graphics, animation, and sound of the award-winning HPC Web site combine to create a quality kid’s site. Animated games, coin related cartoons, and informational features introduce children to the amazing history of the United States and showcase the connection between this country’s coins and its people. The site brings to life both the extraordinary individuals who appear on U.S. coinage and the generations of citizens who have used this pocket change.