| In this unit students use a geographic lens to explore the state of Michigan. The unit focuses around the five major themes of geography: movement, region, human/environment interaction, location and place (Mr. Help). Students begin by reviewing geographic concepts learned in second grade and then explore the concept of “state” using a map of the United States. In studying location, students use cardinal directions, identify various ways to describe the relative location of Michigan, and begin to explore how location can influence the development of a state. When studying place, students identify and describe significant human and physical characteristics of Michigan using a variety of maps. Through literature, maps, informational text and other resources students also explore the concept of human/environment interaction as they learn about Michigan’s natural resources and how people have used, modified, and adapted to them. In studying movement, an emphasis is placed on the Great Lakes. Using shipping as a launching point, students explore how and why people, goods, jobs and ideas move within, into and out of Michigan. Finally, students apply the concept of region to the study of Michigan as they explore different ways Michigan can be divided into regions as well as the different regions to which Michigan belongs. Through art or technology students demonstrate their understanding of Michigan’s geography. | | How does the geography of Michigan affect the way people live? | - How can the five themes of geography be used to describe Michigan?
- How have people used, adapted to and modified the environment of Michigan?
| geography Great Lakes human/environment interaction location Michigan movement natural resources place region state | Comparing/Contrasting
Describing | | | - Overhead Projector or Document Camera and Projector
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| In this unit students explore the principles and concepts of economics through the lens of Michigan today. Students use what they have learned in the previous unit about Michigan’s natural resources to explore how natural, human and capital resources combine to influence the types of businesses in our state today. Student then focus on the economic principles of scarcity, choice, and opportunity costs. Using a simulation model, students experience the impact of scarcity on their choices and the opportunity costs that result. In doing so, students are also introduced to the concept of incentives. They learn that people respond to incentives in predictable ways. Students then apply these principles to business decisions. After identifying Michigan’s current economic activities, students explain the reasons for their location. Using fruit as an example, students are introduced to how geography affects specialization and interdependence. The concept of interdependence exposes students to Michigan’s connection with the national and global economies. Finally, students explore the role of government with respect to goods, services, and incentives. | | How have the geography and economy of Michigan shaped our past? | - What do people consider in deciding what to produce and consume in Michigan?
- How do scarcity and choice affect what is produced and consumed in Michigan?
- How is Michigan part of the national and global economies?
| capital resources choice economic activities economic development economics entrepreneurship human resources incentives interdependence location Michigan natural resources productive resources role of government scarcity specialization trade | Cause and Effect
Describing | | | - Overhead Projector or Document Camera and Projector
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| 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 Michigan’s 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. | | How have economics and the early history of Michigan influenced how Michigan grew? | - How do historians learn about the past?
- How did people and events influence the early history of Michigan?
| cause and effect chronology culture exploration human/environment interaction Michigan primary sources secondary sources settlement statehood | Cause and Effect
Describing
Point of View/Perspective | | | - Chart paper
- Globe
- Highlighters
- Magnifying glasses
- Overhead Projector or Document Camera and Projector
- Student journal or notebooks
- 12” X 18” white drawing paper (one per student) or 12” X 18” brown construction paper (one per student)
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| In this unit students combine what they have previously learned about geography, economics, and the early history of Michigan to explore the growth of Michigan after statehood. The emphasis is on large-scale developments like the growth of manufacturing and population growth as opposed to specific historical eras and events. Students explore how natural resources such as fertile soil, trees, and minerals influenced certain businesses to take root in Michigan. By examining farming and the growth of manufacturing in Michigan, students further their understanding of ways in which people put natural resources to work. They also explore how industries led to the growth of towns and cities. Particular focus is placed on the significant role of the automobile industry in Michigan as a case study of entrepreneurship and role of geography in the growth of Michigan’s cities and towns. Students then explore push and pull factors of migration that led to population growth in Michigan and how different cultural groups have created unique regions within the state. Finally, students examine recent population trends in the state and explain the trends by applying geographic, economic, and historical concepts. | | How did people in Michigan work together to meet new challenges as Michigan grew? | - How has Michigan changed over time?
- How have Michigan's resources impacted the economy and growth of the state?
| agriculture agriculture and manufacturing auto industry automobile industry economic trends entrepreneur human/environment interaction human migration manufacturing Michigan natural resources population push/pull factors | Cause and Effect
Comparing/Contrasting
Generalizing | | | - Overhead Projector or Document Camera and Projector
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| In this unit students extend their civic perspective from second grade local government to state government. They begin with an examination of the purposes of government and ways in which the government of Michigan works to fulfill those purposes. By exploring the concept of representative government, students learn how the power of government resides with the people. They build upon their knowledge of local government and community by distinguishing the roles of state government from local government and explore why state governments are needed. By learning about the Michigan Constitution, students are introduced to the concept of limited government and the history of Michigan’s Constitution. An understanding of limited government is further enriched through an exploration of how the powers of government are separated among the branches in state government. Students then explore the judicial branch by examining ways courts function to resolve conflict. Finally, students consider important rights and responsibilities of citizenship including the responsibility to be informed about public issues. | | How has the government in Michigan responded to the needs of people as Michigan has grown? | - Why do the people in the state of Michigan need a government?
- How is our state government organized?
- What are some important rights and responsibilities of Michigan citizens?
| constitution executive branch government judicial branch legislative branch levels of government limited government Michigan public issues representative government responsibilities of citizenship rights of citizens | Comparing/Contrasting
Describing | | | - Overhead Projector or Document Camera and Projector
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| In this unit students examine public issues relating to Michigan. The unit begins with an examination of the responsibilities of citizenship as students learn that one key civic responsibility is being informed about matters of public concern. Student explore a variety of public issues in the local community, identifying various points of view, and applying core democratic values to support their positions (e.g., “Should a school ban the use of scooters on school grounds?,” or “Should a community tear down an historic barn in order to build a homeless shelter?”). Next, using a variety of resources including newspapers and Web sites, students identify current public issues in Michigan. After analyzing why these are public issues, they pose the policy issues as questions (e.g., “Should the state of Michigan provide funds for a rapid transit system in metropolitan Detroit?” or “Should Michigan establish a network of waterways and greenbelts?”). Students then address a public issue as a class with guidance by the teacher. They gather background information regarding the origin of the issue. Meeting in small groups students discuss various viewpoints on the issue and ultimately express a reasoned position on it by writing a short persuasive essay. The unit concludes with students applying the steps of responsible citizenship by choosing a public issue in Michigan to investigate and writing a persuasive essay that supports their position on the issue. | | How do state and national governments work to solve problems citizens face? | - How do responsible citizens resolve statewide problems?
- How do people learn about public issue in our state?
- Why do people disagree about the ways to solve problems facing people in Michigan?
| core democratic values informed decision Michigan point of view public issue responsibilities of citizenship | Comparing/Contrasting
Evaluating
Perspectives | | | - Overhead Projector or Document Camera and Projector
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