The Big History Lesson 2000

Originally December 11th - 15th we were scheduled to participate in a week long experience at the Michigan Historical Center in Lansing, Michigan.  Due to in climate weather, our week ended up stringing along over three weeks, and is by no means complete.  The students worked very diligently on honing their skills of investigation, examination, analysis, and explanation.  They had a trusty journal and many sharpened pencils as their tools, along with sharp wits, and a keen sense of mystery, they set off on what became know as S. O. S. - Survivors Overcoming Struggle, and Stories of Success.

    Click to enlarge pictures.

Mr. Meyer & Mr. Cleary (our penpals' teacher from Holt)

I spy the Survivors from Meyer Island!

Hard work doing research & note taking in the galleries!

Students chose a specific gallery to conduct their research in to "create" a fictional "survivor" from that era.  Students studied & sketched the many artifacts found in each area that would assist in the development of their "survivor."

For our 3 1/2 days at the Michigan Historical Center, students had the opportunity to interact with staff and guest presenters, thus providing an enriching experience at the Big History Lesson.  Below are a few snapshots.

Woodland and the French Voyager with Mr. Leyland Scott

Mr. Dean Anderson strung us along on a hands-on timeline activity.

Mrs. Barb Powers brought the Toledo War and Michigan Statehood experience to life!

And that most terrible, awful, hideous name was...

a WOLVERINE!

Claudia Deschaine took us through the eye of the lens in the Goodrich Brothers Photography Studio Exhibit.

The students learned about the limitations of early photography and the importance of "holding a pose."  Here a number of students attempt to "freeze" for a few minutes.  Let's see how things develop.

Mrs. Barb Powers walked students through the Arsenal of Democracy.  Students experienced the World War II era relationship of economics to the "transition" of commercial manufacturing contributing to patriotism and the success of the war effort.

We had the fantastic experience to collaborate with students from Sycamore Elementary, in Holt, Michigan.  Their teacher, Mr. Joe Cleary, also participated in the Big History Lesson.  Due to the in-climate weather, part of our weeks overlapped.  We made the most out of it, and our kids thoroughly enjoyed meeting their penpals and working together on a few lessons.  They each created "collectable" / time capsules, and they were as excited to share them with us as we were to see them.

Finally, here are some miscellaneous photos from our S. O. S. experience at the M. H. C.

We had so much fun, that we're infected with the fever to do it again.  Disco(s) to show you that by taking a class outside it's normal four walls opens the world to the students.

Scenes from our visit in December 2000.