{"product_id":"rip-really-important-penny-a-satire-writing-mock-memorial-activity-gr-6-8","title":"RIP (Really Important Penny): A Satire Writing \u0026 Mock Memorial Activity (Gr.6-8)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRIP (Really Important Penny)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis a satire-based writing and discussion activity that invites middle school students to examine how societies respond to change through humor, symbolism, and public ritual. Using nonfiction articles, historical context, and structured reflection, students write a mock obituary or eulogy for the U.S. penny while balancing factual accuracy with thoughtful commentary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStudents explore the penny’s history, production costs, cultural meaning, and gradual phase-out before crafting a farewell that blends personification, irony, and reflection. The lesson may be completed as a reading-and-writing activity or extended into a mock memorial experience using a student-fillable memorial program and optional presentations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis resource integrates ELA, history, economics, and media literacy while encouraging students to analyze tone, author’s intent, and the symbolic versus practical value of everyday objects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat’s Included:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSatire writing activity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(mock obituary or eulogy for the U.S. penny)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNonfiction news articles\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eon the history, cost, and end of the penny\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical and economic context\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efor penny production and decline\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStudent-fillable mock memorial program\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePresentation reading cards\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(optional use)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiscussion questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand written response prompts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAssessment tools\u003c\/strong\u003e: analytic rubric, checkbox rubric, and presentation rubric\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTeacher overview, lesson flow, differentiation, and tone guidance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInfographic:\u003c\/strong\u003e\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 personification\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInformational text analysis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEvidence-based writing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTone and audience awareness\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":54298674430236,"sku":null,"price":4.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0959\/8035\/5868\/files\/Thumbnailscopy.png?v=1783988335","url":"https:\/\/thebewitchedteacher.com\/products\/rip-really-important-penny-a-satire-writing-mock-memorial-activity-gr-6-8","provider":"The Bewitched Teacher","version":"1.0","type":"link"}