Unit Plan: The Early History of Michigan

Name:
Joshua Stump
Grade:
Third
Long Term: Third Grade for Sue Chamberlain, Lincoln Heights Elementary
Date: November 2015-January 2016
Unit Abstract
In this unit students use primary and secondary sources of information to explore
the early history of Michigan. They begin by examining the work of historians and
the types of questions they ask. Then, they apply historical thinking skills to a study
of American Indians in Michigan, exploration and early settlement. The unit provides
a strong link to geography as students analyze ways in which both American Indians
and settlers used, adapted to, and modified the environment. Through stories and
informational text, students examine Michigans past. Civics is naturally integrated
as students explore how Michigan became a state. Throughout the unit, emphasis is
placed on major historical concepts such as chronology, cause and effect, and point
of view.
Standards: History H3 History of Michigan (Through Statehood)
Use historical thinking to understand the past.
-

3 H3.0.1 Identify questions historians ask in examining the past in Michigan

(e.g., What happened? When did it happen? Who was involved? How and why
did it happen?)
3 H3.0.2 Explain how historians use primary and secondary sources to
answer questions about the past.
3 H3.0.3 Describe the causal relationships between three events in
Michigans past (e.g., Erie Canal, more people came, statehood).
3 H3.0.4 Draw upon traditional stories of American Indians (e.g.,
Anishinaabeg - Ojibway (Chippewa), Odawa (Ottawa), Potawatomi;
Menominee; Huron Indians) who lived in Michigan in order to make
generalizations about their beliefs.
3 H3.0.5 Use informational text and visual data to compare how American
Indians and settlers in the early history of Michigan adapted to, used, and
modified their environment.
3 H3.0.6 Use a variety of sources to describe interactions that occurred
between American Indians and the first European explorers and settlers in
Michigan.
3 H3.0.7 Use a variety of primary and secondary sources to construct a
historical narrative about daily life in the early settlements of Michigan (prestatehood).
3 H3.0.9 Describe how Michigan attained statehood.
3 H3.0.10 Create a timeline to sequence early Michigan history (American
Indians, exploration, settlement, statehood).

Standards: Geography G4 Human Systems: Understand how human activities

help shape the Earths surface.
-

3 G4.0.4 Use data and current information about the Anishinaabeg and
other American Indians living in Michigan today to describe the cultural
aspects of modern American Indian life; give an example of how another
cultural group in Michigan today has preserved and built upon its cultural
heritage.

Essential Focus Questions

1. How do historians learn about the past?
2. How did people and events influence the early history of Michigan?
Assessment Tasks
1. Use primary and secondary sources to write a historical narrative about daily life
in the early settlement of Michigan.
2. Construct a timeline of early Michigan history and explain the relationship among
the events.

Key Concepts
cause and effect
chronology
culture
exploration
human/environment interaction
Michigan
primary sources
secondary sources
settlement
statehood

Resources/Manipulatives
Chart paper

Globe
Highlighters

Magnifying glasses
Student journal or notebooks
Student Resources/Supplemental Reading
Pioneer Life. The Mitten. 13 September 2016.
http://seekingmichigan.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/mitten_pioneer-life.pdf

Pioneers Settling a State. Michigan History for Kids. 13 September

2016. http://seekingmichigan.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/MHK-Getting-toMichigan.pdf

Sieur de la Salle. The Mitten. 13 September 2016.

http://seekingmichigan.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/mitten_french-explorers.pdf

Statehood for Michigan. Michigan History for Kids. 13 September

2016. http://www.seekingmichigan.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/MHK-Steps-toStatehood.pdf

The Great Lakes Fur Trade. The Mitten. 13 September 2016.

http://seekingmichigan.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Fur-Trade-Mitten.pdf

The Great Mystery. Great Lakes, Great Parks, Great History: Do L.A.P.S. for
Michigan. Lansing, MI: Michigan Department of Natural Resources, 1999.

The Huron Indians. The Mitten. 13 September 2016.

http://seekingmichigan.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/mitten_huron.pdf

The Three Fires. The Mitten. 13 September 2016.

http://seekingmichigan.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/mitten_three-fires.pdf

The Toledo War. The Mitten. 13 September 2016.

http://seekingmichigan.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/mitten_toledo-war.pdf