Design a New Dollar Coin

Students will design a new dollar coin that represents the work of a person who impacted history and write persuasively about why this person should be chosen for this honor.

Engage

Start by exploring the impact different people had on history. You could focus on your class’s study of famous Americans, Black History month, famous writers, or another group you are studying.

Based on prior knowledge, or after you have given them a list and time to begin research, have each student should choose the person they want to place on a new dollar coin.

Explain that students will also need to craft a persuasive argument for their person and design. When writing persuasively, we try to convince others to agree with our facts, share our values, accept our argument and conclusions, and adopt our way of thinking. A persuasive argument should include:

1. Facts that support your argument.
2. Details that make your perspective clear.
3. Examples that support your ideas.
4. Ideas in an order that builds your argument.
5. An appeal to your reader’s emotions.
6. A strong, logical conclusion.

Create

Once the students have completed their research, have them plan their dollar design. What does a coin usually include? What with they choose to represent their person and accomplishment on the back side of the coin?

Approve each student’s design choices and have them use the paint tools to create a unique design for the front and back of the coin to honor the person they chose and to commemorate the work this person has done.

Coin Template

Have students add pages to their project and use the information from their research to persuade others, convincing them that both their person and their coin design should be chosen. Each persuasive presentation should include:

1. A title page with the honoree’s and the designer’s names.
2. Biographical information about the person being honored, including their accomplishments.
3. The design of their dollar coin.
4. A persuasive argument about why the student’s design should be chosen.

Coin Design Presentation Template

Share

Students should present their persuasive presentations to the rest of the class, community members, and outside experts like graphic designers if you can’t get someone from a US mint to join you.

Standards

NCSS - Curriculum Standards for Social Studies

Individual Development and Identity - Personal identity is shaped by one’s culture, by groups, and by institutional influences.

Individuals, Groups, and Institutions - Institutions such as schools, churches, families, government agencies, and the courts all play an integral role in our lives.

Standards for English Language Arts - Grade 4-10

Writing Standards

Research to Build and Present Knowledge
7. Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.