ASSIGNMENT: This assignment will involve students creating a TIMELINE that illustrates the history of MONEY in the United States from 1652 until the present day and demonstrates a NEW TECHNOLOGY IN THE PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION. 

THE TIMELINE:  This assignment has to do with trust of government and whether or not the government of the United States always does what is best for its citizens.  Prior to this project, students watched "College Conspracy," which discussed inflation in the United States, participated in a lecture regarding the "History of Money" and watched a documentary regarding the Gold in Fort Knox.  One of the main reason that prices keep going up in the United States is the policy of our government with regard to money and money supply.  Students will ILLUSTRATE a HISTORY of money, gold and silver, paper money and our government's policy towards money in the United States. 

REQUIRED ELEMENTS:  There are a number of money related events that MUST be conveyed in the timeline, along with data, text and images that EXPLAINS each of the items listed.  For each of these elements, students should relate the "Who, what, where, when, how and why" of the issue, in a very abbreviated TIMELINE format.

Additional events, facts or data should also be included, wherever possible.  Any information regarding government policy regarding gold, silver or paper money found in student research will be appropriate!

• 1652:  The first silver coins minted in America by John Hull.
• Development of the "Continental" Currency of the colonies.
• Framers ideas about coins and paper money/ "Money" in the Constitution (see notes).
• The first United States coinage/Minted from George Washington's silverware?
• Coin shortages during the Civil War and Fractional currency of 1862-1874.
• The first United States paper money:  1861/1862
• The Great Depression.
• 1933:  FDR makes gold ownership illegal
• World War II steel pennies and nickels.
• 1964:  Last minting of coins with precious metals.
• 1970s:  America goes off Gold Standard.
• INFLATION IN AMERICA:  Students will research and include information regarding a comparison of the prices of number of everyday items and goods from the years 1950, 1980 and 2010 (or three similar time frames over the last 60-100 years).  Such items should include things like cars, houses, bread, milk, movies, etc. This information should be included DIRECTLY onto the timeline! Here is a website that might be helpful in determining inflation data for the timeline: The U.S. Inflation Calculator.

THE "NEW TECHNOLOGY" FORMAT:  I would like students to create their Timeline using a NEW TECHNOLOGY. Everyone knows how to create a boring PowerPoint, this project will be different. The student should use ANY NEW TECHNOLOGY that they wish to complete this project. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND STUDENTS USE SUCH APPS as:

• ADOBE VOICE (iPad app),
• PREZZI,
• the Timeline App from READWRITETHINK,
• the Timeline App from timetoast.com (this would require a free account),
• the timeline creator from whenintime.com (also would require signing up for a free account),
• timeline creation tools at capzles.com (would require an account.)
• or any other similar presentation format.
• A google search for "TIMELINE GENERATOR APP" brought up lots of options.

SUBMISSION OF PROJECT: Make sure that your final product allows for saving or sharing of your final timeline with Mr. B.

ALTERNATE PRESENTATION (SHOULD STUDENTS NOT BE WORKING ON THEIR PRESENTATION IN CLASS): This project will become a 3-5 page research paper.

GRADING: This project will be worth a total of 150 points. 75 points for accurate and significant information regarding the history of money in America and 75 points for the accessible presentation of the timeline.