Michigan History and U.S. Geography

2012-2013
Full Year Course
4th Grade 4 recommended
Thursday

Course Tutor:
Melissa Wilson
LMA3J@comcast.net

Course Description:
During the first semester of this class, we will learn about United States Geography. Using a unit study approach, we will break the United States into regions and then study each individual state within each region. This course will go far beyond learning each state and its capital – using hands-on projects, fun activities, puzzles, and food to help us explore the uniqueness of each of the 50 states. We will end the semester with each student preparing and presenting a report on a state of their choice.

The second semester will be spent learning about the history of our state. We will explore Michigan History using a literature-based approach, combined with hands-on projects and various other activities. We will study the early Native American tribes, explorers who came to Michigan, becoming a state, our involvement in the Civil War, mining and logging, and many other topics.

Course Prerequisites:   None

Copy Fee:

  • $20 copy fee payable to the tutor on the first day of class
  • $10 copy fee payable to the tutor on the first day of second semester

Required Texts: (available from the Teenworks Resource Center)

  • Schoolhouse Children’s Illustrated Atlas of the United States- Rand McNally
  • Paddle to the Sea, by Holling C. Holling
  • The Indian School by,  Gloria Whelan
  • Once on This Island, by Gloria Whelan
  • Henry Ford: Young Man With Ideas, by Hazel Aird

 Required Supplies:

  • One 3” three-ring binders
  • One set of 1-36 numbered tab dividers (one for each binder)
  • 5 tab dividers for the binder
  • Two pocket folders
  • Notebook paper
  • Pencil holder for binder with the following items:
  • 3-4 sharpened pencils.
  • 12-pack colored pencils
  • Eraser