| Officially, "Michigan Week" starts the third | | | | This theme may complement the "Michigan |
| Saturday in May and runs the entire next week. | | | | Grows!" theme or may be used on its own. The |
| The dates for Michigan Week in 2010 and 2011 will | | | | students can gather their favorite Michigan treats. |
| be from May 15th - May 21st. Michigan Week is a | | | | These can be based on their cultural background |
| time to celebrate all the great things about the | | | | or just family favorites. The children in each class |
| state of Michigan, and a great way for Michigan | | | | could decide (have a vote) on which recipe to |
| elementary schools to encourage students to | | | | make at the end of the week. The |
| learn more about their state. | | | | measurements and calculations of number of |
| Many Michigan elementary schools celebrate | | | | servings needed for the recipes can also provide |
| Michigan Week with activities that include | | | | an opportunity to demonstrate and practice "real |
| school-wide projects, entertaining assemblies, and | | | | world" math problems. Division could be practiced, |
| presentations from Michigan artists and authors. | | | | as well as multiplication and pie charts along the |
| Here are some more creative Michigan Week | | | | same theme. |
| celebration ideas: | | | | Celebrate the State Reptile - The Painted Turtle |
| Michigan Grows! | | | | The painted turtle, being the state reptile, could |
| Many delicious fruits and vegetables grow in | | | | form the theme of your Michigan Week |
| Michigan. Blueberries, cherries, apples, grapes and | | | | festivities. Crafts, stories, artwork and science |
| peaches are just a few of the diverse Michigan | | | | lessons could all focus on the beloved painted |
| crops. These could form the theme for Michigan | | | | turtle. On the technological side, older students |
| Week. Coloring pages, word puzzles, artwork and | | | | could research and then compose a story on |
| songs could all focus on crops grown in Michigan. | | | | what they have discovered. These stories, along |
| The children could write stories about some of | | | | with accompanying artwork, could be presented |
| the crops their state grows or on their favourite | | | | at the end of the week assembly. "The Tortoise |
| fruit or veggie that grows in Michigan. Computer | | | | and The Hare" could be read to the preschoolers |
| class could also incorporate the theme. Using a | | | | by the teacher or by some of the older students. |
| program such as Kids Pix, the children could draw | | | | Teachers could access additional books about |
| the fruit. Older children can do some online | | | | turtles to make available to the children. |
| research on the subject. The week could end with | | | | Michigan Authors |
| a picnic featuring some of the many goodies | | | | The center of attention surrounding this theme |
| found in Michigan. | | | | would be Michigan born authors. Books written by |
| The Many Bridges of Michigan | | | | Michigan authors would be highlighted and literacy |
| Michigan is home to several major bridges. The | | | | and book writing would be encouraged. As a |
| Ambassador Bridge, Blue Water Bridge, Mackinac | | | | wonderful tie-up to this week, a visit from one of |
| Bridge and the International Bridge can all be found | | | | the featured authors would be a bonus. He/she |
| in Michigan. Have fun discovering bridges during | | | | could read an excerpt from one of their stories |
| Michigan Week. There are many ways this can be | | | | for the children at the assembly. Some of the |
| done. One such way is to give each grade a | | | | older students may be able to perform one or |
| different bridge to do a project on. At the end of | | | | two short skits, based on one of the books. |
| the week, the projects could be set up in the | | | | Michigan Fest |
| school auditorium for all to enjoy. The younger | | | | The wonderful state of Michigan has so many |
| children can create bridges out of blocks and the | | | | unique festivals and community celebrations. From |
| older kids can make creative bridge masterpieces. | | | | the tulip festival in Holland to the Baby Food |
| Use your imagination as to what to make bridges | | | | Festival in Fremont, Michigan knows how to throw |
| out of. Even empty cardboard boxes can serve | | | | a party. Your school could have a "festival day", |
| the purpose for building a bridge. Art classes can | | | | where each classroom hosts a mini Michigan |
| incorporate the bridge theme by using different | | | | themed festival. The classroom festivals could be |
| textures and techniques. Each class could make its | | | | based off a festival that already takes place in |
| own mural showcasing the bridges of Michigan. | | | | Michigan, or a new celebration that the class |
| A Taste of Michigan | | | | invents. |