{"product_id":"mourning-small-change-a-satirical-eulogy-project-on-the-u-s-penny-gr-9-12","title":"Mourning Small Change: A Satirical Eulogy Project on the U.S. Penny (Gr. 9–12)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMourning Small Change\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis an analytical writing project that invites high school students to examine cultural responses to change through satire, symbolism, and public ritual. Using nonfiction and opinion texts about the decline of the U.S. penny, students write a satirical eulogy or obituary that comments on nostalgia, economic realities, and resistance to progress.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStudents analyze historical context, economic factors, and public reactions before crafting a piece of commentary that blends humor, rhetoric, and evidence. The project may be completed as a reading-and-writing assignment or extended into a structured mock memorial using a student-fillable memorial program and optional presentations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis resource integrates ELA, economics, civics, and rhetoric while emphasizing claims, evidence, tone, and audience awareness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat’s Included\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSatirical eulogy or obituary writing project\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNonfiction and opinion texts addressing the history, symbolism, and decline of the U.S. penny\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHistorical, cultural, and economic context for penny production and phase-out\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStudent-fillable memorial program\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStudent presentation reading cards (optional use)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiscussion questions and written response prompts\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAssessment tools: analytic rubric, checkbox rubric, and presentation rubric\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTeacher overview with lesson flow, differentiation options, and tone guidance\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInfographic:\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Life \u0026amp; Legacy of the U.S. Penny\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSkills Addressed\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSatire, irony, and rhetorical devices\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArgument and commentary writing\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNonfiction and opinion text analysis\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEvidence-based claims\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTone, voice, and audience awareness\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiscussion and presentation skills\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you use this resource, please leave a review — it helps other teachers find it and lets me know what to create next. Thank you for supporting independent educators!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e© 2026 The Bewitched Teacher. For single-classroom use. Please purchase additional licenses for sharing with colleagues.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Bewitched Teacher","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54298676658460,"sku":null,"price":4.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0959\/8035\/5868\/files\/Thumbnailscopy2.png?v=1783988492","url":"https:\/\/thebewitchedteacher.com\/products\/mourning-small-change-a-satirical-eulogy-project-on-the-u-s-penny-gr-9-12","provider":"The Bewitched Teacher","version":"1.0","type":"link"}