Themed Lessons

Compare and Contrast Detroit: 1701 and 2011

History | 4th Grade, 5th Grade

The lesson helps third grade students answer the question, "How has Detroit changed between the late 17th century and today?" through map and primary source analysis.

Exploring Anishinabeg Culture

History | 4th Grade, 5th Grade

This lesson helps third grade students answer the question, "What are key cultural traits of the Native Americans who lived in Michigan before the arrival of Europeans?" through primary source analysis and discussion.

Anishinabeg Oral Traditions

History | 3rd Grade

This lesson helps third grade students answer the question, "What was life like for the Native Americans who lived in Michigan before the arrival of Europeans?" through the exploration or oral storytelling traditions.

Documenting Detroit

History | 9th Grade, 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade

This lesson introduces middle and high school students to primary source analysis. Students review photographs about Detroit's urban farming project during the Great Depression.

Detroit Thrift Gardens

History | 9th Grade, 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade

This lesson introduces high school students to primary source analysis. Students will study photographs of Detroiters in the 1970s.

Detroit Flag and Seal

Civics | 4th Grade, 5th Grade

This lesson helps fourth grade students answer the question, "What symbols represent Detroit, and why are they important?" through reading and primary source analysis.

Taking It to the Streets

History | 4th Grade, 5th Grade

This lesson helps fourth grade students answer the question, "What can we learn about Detroit and the history of its people by looking at maps and street names?" Students read, discuss and present information.

Industrial Detroit: from Ore to Object

History | 4th Grade, 5th Grade

This lesson helps fourth grade students answer the question, "How did Detroiters turn raw natural resources into finished products in the late 1800s?" through primary source analysis and discussion.

Detroit and the Underground Railroad

History | 4th Grade, 5th Grade

This lesson helps fourth grade students answer the question, "What role did Detroit and Detroiters play in the Underground Railroad?" through primary source analysis and discussion.

Exploring Ethnic Detroit

History | 4th Grade, 5th Grade

This lesson helps fourth grade students answer the question, "Who were the different ethnic groups that came to Detroit in the 19th century, when did they arrive and where did they live?" through primary source analysis and discussion.

Detroit Becomes a City

History | 4th Grade, 5th Grade

This lesson helps fourth grade students answer the question, "What did Detroit look like and how did it change between 1825 and 1865?" through primary source analysis and discussion.

You Be the Judge: the Surrender of Detroit

History | 4th Grade, 5th Grade

This lesson helps third grade students answer the question, "Was American General William Hull, who surrendered Detroit to the British during the War of 1812, guilty or innocent of treason and cowardice?" Students analyze primary sources and consider multiple perspectives in history.

Profiles of Influential Detroiters

History | 4th Grade, 5th Grade

This lesson helps third grade students answer the question, "Who were the key early Detroiters, and how did their actions help the city of Detroit grow and develop?" through primary source analysis and discussion.

The Great Fire of 1805

History | 4th Grade, 5th Grade

This lesson helps third grade students answer the question, "What can we learn about the Great Fire of 1805 through a structured study of primary sources?"

Life in a British Fort

History | 4th Grade, 5th Grade

This lesson helps third grade students answer the questions, "Why was the fort at Detroit important to the British?" and "What was life like in and around the fort?" through reading, writing and map-making activities.

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