What a great deal! Louisiana, famous for its gumbo and jazz, honors a purchase that changed the shape of our nation with the release of the Louisiana quarter design. The newest state quarter, featuring an outline of the Louisiana Purchase Territory, was officially launched at a ceremony held at the New Orleans Mint Museum on May 30, 2002. This ceremony marked the release of the eighteenth state's quarter to be celebrated as a part of the 50 State Quarters® Program!
Teachers, below you will find several activities and links that will bring the excitement of Louisiana's "State Quarter Day" into your classroom.
Louisiana Quarter
Learn more about the latest quarter and and the amazing "Purchase" that inspired it.
50 State Quarters Program
Find out more about this program that honors every state in America!
50 State Quarters Program Lesson Plans
The 50 State Quarters Program lesson plans are ready for you to use in your classroom! Take a look at the lessons created specifically to celebrate the Louisiana quarter: Our State, My State (K–1), Mapping America (2–3), and Fast Facts (4–6)! After that, be sure to check out the rest of the state-specific plans, FREE to download in sets designed specifically for grades K and 1, 2 and 3, and 4 through 6.
State Quarter Day Classroom Activities
Here are some fun ways to infuse your curriculum with activities that celebrate the arrival of the newest quarter in circulation!
Also, take a trip to Get a Clue About Collecting to Find the Hidden Coins that are a part of the 50 State Quarters Program.
A Coin With A Huge History!
Want to learn more about the designs that inspired this new quarter? Take a look at October 2002's Coin of the Month and then try out the accompanying Teacher Feature, Mints Across America.
Connected Coins and Medals
The Louisiana Purchase and the expansion of the United States have inspired numerous coin designs. Read on to learn about some of these truly American coins:
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Once the Louisiana Territory was purchased by the United States, President Jefferson needed a team of daring adventurers to explore and chart this land. Lewis and Clark lead a Corps of Discovery, starting in 1803 and continuing through 1806, to do just that. Read all about the Lewis and Clark Exposition Commemorative Gold Dollar that was created to celebrate the centennial of this amazing trek! |
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Along the way Lewis and Clark met a Shoshone woman who would become invaluable as both an interpreter and a guide through these uncharted lands. In late 1999, the United States Mint began producing the Sacagawea Golden Dollar in order to commemorate the contributions made to this important expedition. |
Our Foreign Friends
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The coins produced for the 50 State Quarters Program share much in common with the European currency, the euro. With your students, visit the interactive cartoon, Coins of the World, to see how these two programs are similar (here's a hint: look at the backs of euros from different countries, and then look at their fronts). |
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Quarter Games
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Here's a challenge for your students! Put all the pieces of the Louisiana quarter back together—in three minutes or less! |
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Are your students budding artists? Let them try their hands at painting the Louisiana quarter. A blue pelican, a green trumpet...let your imagination run wild! |
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Here's a word search all about quarters and other coins. Can your students find all the words on each list? |
A Coinage Cartoon
Teachers' Network
Teachers, if we've piqued your interest with the activities above, please sign up for the Teachers' Network. As a member, you can receive information about all of the new educational resources that become available from the United States Mint!
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