Mourning Small Change: A Satirical Eulogy Project on the U.S. Penny (Gr. 9–12)
Mourning Small Change: A Satirical Eulogy Project on the U.S. Penny (Gr. 9–12)
Mourning Small Change is 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.
Students 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.
This resource integrates ELA, economics, civics, and rhetoric while emphasizing claims, evidence, tone, and audience awareness.
What’s Included
- Satirical eulogy or obituary writing project
- Nonfiction and opinion texts addressing the history, symbolism, and decline of the U.S. penny
- Historical, cultural, and economic context for penny production and phase-out
- Student-fillable memorial program
- Student presentation reading cards (optional use)
- Discussion questions and written response prompts
- Assessment tools: analytic rubric, checkbox rubric, and presentation rubric
- Teacher overview with lesson flow, differentiation options, and tone guidance
- Infographic: The Life & Legacy of the U.S. Penny
Skills Addressed
- Satire, irony, and rhetorical devices
- Argument and commentary writing
- Nonfiction and opinion text analysis
- Evidence-based claims
- Tone, voice, and audience awareness
- Discussion and presentation skills
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