Lesson Plans

The Detroit Historical Society Lesson Plans are educational resources developed by members of the Detroit Historical Society's educational team. Each lesson is carefully tailored to specific grade ranges, ensuring age-appropriate content and engagement. Many lesson plans align with learning objectives as defined by the State of Michigan, making them a valuable tool for educators seeking curriculum-aligned materials. Additionally, they include supplementary resources and references to enhance learning and provide deeper historical context.

History 3rd Grade

Anishinabeg Oral Traditions

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.
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Economics 9th - 12th Grade

Automobile Industry Economy

This lesson provides students in grades nine through twelve with an in-depth study of economic functions both within and outside of a community. Through primary sources, students will gain a historical view of economic functions.
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History 1st - 2nd Grade

Building a City

NEW! This lesson helps first and second grade students answer the question, "What makes a city thrive?" through the exploration of Detroit then and now, students will design the Detroit of the future!
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History 6th - 8th Grade

Canal Boats to Michigan, 1820-1850

Students in grades six through eight will gain an understanding of the Erie Canal and its importance to Detroit and Michigan through map work, discussion, research and a culminating written assessment. Research topics are suggested.
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History 6th - 12th Grade

Detroit 1967: Inter-generational Class Oral History Project

Students will understand what oral history is and why it is important to historical record. Students will select people to interview, develop appropriate questions to the topic, conduct interviews, and analyze the results of the interview. This lesson may be used independently in class, or in conjunction with a class visit to the Detroit 67: Perspectives exhibition on display until 2020.
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History 9th - 12th Grade

Detroit 1967: Learning from Oral Histories

In this lesson, students will read several excerpts from oral histories about the unrest of 1967. Each of these sources provides a different name for, perspective about and/or account of the events. Students will use critical thinking skills to analyze each point of view and develop their own perspective on what happened.
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History 9th - 12th Grade

Detroit 1967: Learning from Photographs

In this lesson, high school students will gain a basic understanding of the causes, events, and impacts of the 1967 unrest. However, instead of simply reading a text for comprehension, they will approach the material through the process of historical inquiry.
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History 9th - 12th Grade

Detroit and the Suburbs

Through this lesson, students in grades nine through twelve gain a better understanding and a deeper knowledge of how a city or cities and suburbs rely on each other.
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History 4th - 5th Grade

Detroit Becomes a City

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.
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History 9th - 12th Grade

DETROIT DURING WWII: MOBILIZATION OF INDUSTRY

NEW CURRICULUM!! High school students will investigate how the Detroit metropolitan industrial complex was mobilized to build war materials. Students will discover the significance of William S. Knudsen in aiding the federal government’s efforts to convert major industries production into war time materials.
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