World History I Coins: Home

Monday: Project description and initial research
Tuesday: Learn to use Noodletools and select your myth and innovation
Wednesday: Research, cite your sources, and begin your design
Thursday: Learn to use Windows Live Movie Maker and locate copyright-free music
Friday: Work on your project
Monday: Complete your project

Tuesday, December 6th: Project due at the beginning of your class period.

image by phault

You will be evaluated on your coin design as follows:

Coin – 40 points

• Is your design easy to interpret? (5 points)
• Does it match your description? (5 points)
• Does it include original drawings for both sides of the coin (20 points)
• Is it visually interesting and does it show creativity? (10 points)

Digital Storytelling – 40 points

• Does your “documentary” meet all of the requirements? (10 points)
• Is your argument persuasive and well-organized? (5 points)
• Is your argument supported by enough detail? (10 points)
• Are your note cards correctly completed using Noodletools, and do you use your own voice (i.e. not the words of others) in your explanation? (10 points)
• Are all of your citations correct? (5 points)

You will also receive a daily grade of 5 points each day that you work in class. You will receive all of these points if you:

• Come to class prepared with all the materials that you will need.
• Stay on task and use your time effectively.
• Communicate with me if you are having any difficulties.
• Use technology appropriately.

     The year is 173 B.C. and you are living in Macedonia.  Your king, Perseus is an ardent believer in the greatness of the Macedonians and Greek way of life that they spread throughout the rest of the known world.  He is looking to strengthen his position in the Hellenistic world and stabilize his own reign by reminding the people of the origins of their empire and the great accomplishments of Hellenic and Hellenistic culture.

Image from http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/Fashion3.htm

Since coinage had always been a source of pride within the Greek city-states and with Alexander the Great, Perseus has asked you and the other great craftsmen of his empire to create a new coin in honor of the 150 year anniversary of Alexander the Great’s death.

In order to honor Perseus’ request and earn his favor, you must make wise choices and explain your reasoning with convincing information about Hellenistic culture. Following his chosen format and being creative will win his favor and help your coin to be chosen for mass production.

Side One – Image of Mythological Being

Perseus would like one side of the coin to depict the mythological being that best symbolizes the strengths of Greece.  He has asked that you not choose Athena or Zeus.

You will need to explain the basic plot of the myth, as well as the mythological being’s special qualities and why you think the particular being represents Greece’s strengths.

Side Two – Image of an Innovation
Perseus would like the opposite side of the coin to illustrate a cultural innovation from Hellenistic society about which the rest of the world should know. This is your opportunity to honor the great artists, thinkers, and inventors of your culture, and to brag about the greatness of the Hellenistic way of life. Aside from explaining the innovation you should also explain why you chose it. You must include four or more facts about the innovation in your explanation.