| HISTORICALLY
SPEAKING MICHIGAN PATCH PROGRAM 1. Michigan is the only state that borders four of the five great lakes. It is divided into two distinct parts, called the Upper Peninsula and Lower Peninsula. Locate the 26th state on a map of the United States. Identify the state flower, flag and bird. http://www.50states.com/michigan.htm 2. Michigan received its name from the Ojibwa Native Americans, meaning "great waters", which refer to to the what is called the great lakes today. Choose a tribe to learn more about. What type of housing did they use? What region of Michigan did they live? For extra, create an art project depicting the Native American culture. Examples of tribes are: Potawatomi, Miami, Wyandot, Ottawa, and Ojibwa. 3. In the 1600's, the French became the first Europeans to explore Michigan. They established trading posts for furs and built missions. Other groups followed including German, Irish, and Dutch immigrants. Eat a food, create a craft, play a game, or celebrate a holiday from that cultural group. Refer to country manuals for ideas . 4. Did you know that Michigan has more lighthouses than any other state and over 250,000 acres of sand dunes? Choose a region to explore and complete an outdoor activity. Examples are swimming, fishing, cherry or apple picking, water sports, winter sports, four wheeling in the sand dunes, canoeing, hiking, and camping. Make sure you have the proper training and equipment before you go on your adventure. If you cannot go on an adventure, you can draw a picture of yourself in the outdoors. 5. Two men, C.W. Post and W.K. Kellogg, both connected to the Battle Creek (MI) Sanitarium, developed the first pre-packaged breakfast cereals. Post's Grape Nuts and Kellogg's Corn Flakes were the beginning of the modern cereal industry which still exists in Battle Creek. A major agricultural crop in Michigan is cherries, Traverse City claims to be "the home of the world's largest cherry pie." Name two recipes that use Michigan crops or products or have a taste test between these products. Examples of Michigan products are: apples, navy beans, blueberries, carrots, plums, cherries, Post or Kellogg cereals, or ginger ale. 6. During 1950, Berry Gordy Jr. wrote songs and recorded a blend of pop music called Motown. Learn more about the Motown sound. Listen to a song, research a musician, or dance to the tunes. Examples of musicians are: Stevie Wonder, Jackson Five, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, or The Temptations. http://www.motown.com/ 7. Paul Bunyan is a mythical lumberman known for his strength and his blue ox Babe. Learn more or read a legend, fable, or folklore tale from Michigan. Examples include: The Legend of Sleeping Bear, Mackniac Bridge, Michigan Indians, or Petoskey Stones. http://www.northville.lib.mi.us/youth/themes/michigan.htm http://www.native-languages.org/potawatomi_culture.htm 8. Michigan has the only floating post office in the world and is considered the main hub of the automobile industry. Research two other interesting facts about Michigan. Examples are Vernors ginger ale, first fluoride in water, dairy farm, or cherry pit. 9. In 1903, Henry Ford founded the Ford Motor Company and his innovations propelled Ford and other auto companies to the forefront of worldwide business. Research two famous people that resided in Michigan. What did they accomplish? Some examples are: John and William Kellogg, Magic Johnson, Henry Ford, Daniel Gerber, Charles Lindbergh, Ty Cobb, Sojourner Truth, and Gerald Ford. 10. Michigan has a variety of historical sites and museums to visit and discover. Choose one to visit or learn more about. Examples are Curious Kid's Museum, Olde World Canterbury Village, Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad, Dutch Village, Detroit Zoo, or the Mackinac Island Butterfly House. 11. The world's largest Christmas store is located in Frankenmuth, Michigan. Celebrate Michigan's heritage and celebrations by visiting the store, choosing a festival to celebrate or learn more about. Some examples are: Apple Festivals, Breakfast with Tony the Tiger, Christmas at Crossroads, Renaissance Festival, County Fairs, Tulip Festival, Pioneer Days, and Octoberfest. http://travel.michigan.org/events/?m=3;1 12. Walk through a trail at a local park and view the soft fragrance of flowers; sounds of animals scampering through the leaves, and the chirp of a bird perched on a branch. Visit one of the 100 state parks of Michigan, observe wildlife, become a Junior Ranger, collect litter in the parks, OR take a nature hike to study the flowers, trees, and animals in your area. http://www.inmetrodetroit.com/Outdoors/Camping/Michigan_State_Parks.htm 13. The Mackinac Bridge links the lower portion of Michigan to the Upper Peninsula. It is the largest suspension bridge between anchorages in western hemisphere. When did it first open? How long is it? How did they get to the Upper Peninsula before the bridge? |