We know history, and we know that as a teacher, you know that history is important. Convincing your third-graders, however, is often less of a non-issue. For those young minds that are perhaps less partial to the past, we present: a collection of books that will help you get your students off their feet and into the moment before they really realize it.

Deur, Lynne. A Lumberjack’s Story: A Chapter from the Great Lakes Past. Spring Lake, MI: River Road Publications, 1982.

Entine, Lynn. Our Great Lakes Connection: A Curriculum Guide for Grades Kindergarten Through Eight. n.p.: Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System (UW–Extension Environmental Resources Center), 1985.

Historical Society of Michigan. Immediately Michigan: Ready-to-Use, Award-Winning, K-12 Michigan Lessons. Available for purchase from The Historical Society of Michigan Center for Teaching Michigan History, 2117 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48104-4599, (313/769-1828).

Barrett, Katharine, et al. Investigating Artifacts: Making Masks, Creating Myths, Exploring Middens Teacher’s Guide. Berkeley, CA: Lawrence Hall of Science (Regents of the University of California), 1992 (REV. 1996). (grades K-6)

McCabe, Jean S. Learning About Michigan Indians: A Study Unit for Early Elementary Grades. Spring Lake, MI: River Road Publications, Inc., 1981.

McConnell, David B. Teacher’s Guide for Forging the Peninsulas. Hillsdale, MI: Hillsdale Educational Publishers, 1990.

McConnell, David B., and Elizabeth B. Dewey. Michigan Activity Masters for Discover Michigan. Hillsdale, MI: Hillsdale Educational Publishers, 1985.

Reed, Elaine Wrisley. Helping Your Child Learn History (with activities for children aged 4 through 11). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education Office of Educational Research and Improvement, n.d.

Roberts, Patricia L. Literature-Based History Activities for Children, Grades 4-8. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1997.

Rockford Public Schools Fourth Grade Teachers. Explore Michigan: An Adventure Packed Thematic Unit. Rockford, MI: Authors, 1992. Published by the Rockford Middle School, Rockford Public Schools, 397 E. Division, Rockford, MI 49341. (Cost: $100.00)

Silverman, Jerry. Mel Bay Presents The American History Songbook. Pacific, MO: Mel Bay Publications, Inc., 1992. (Songs to sing in the car or bus on your way to the museum and all the way home!)