Objective: To introduce the students to Michigan's state symbols and how they represent Michigan's environment.

Standards and Benchmarks
Michigan Social Studies: Inquiry
Gather and analyze information using appropriate information technologies to answer the question posed.
Content Standard: 2:2

Michigan Technology: Using Information Technologies
Use search strategies to locate and retrieve information electronically.
Content Standard: 2:2

Materials:
* Computer bookmarked to Stuff About Michigan
* Kid Pix software
* Kidspiration software
* Getting to Know Michigan booklet prepared by the Michigan Legislature
  (email State Representative Gary Woronchak for your free copies)
  gworonchak@house.state.mi.us

Procedure:
(Day 1)
Engage: Have students look at the United States flag in their classroom. Ask students to tell you what they think of when they look at the flag. Their answers should include the United States.

Anticipatory Set:
Explain that the United States flag is one of the most important symbols of our country. When we see it we think of the United States. Talk about the meaning of symbols and ask students to list other symbols they are familiar with, such as sports teams, etc. Michigan's state symbols such as the petoskey stone represent different elements that are unique to our state. Other symbols, such as the white pine, represent resources commonly found in Michigan.  Tell the students that they are going to explore some of Michigan’s symbols to discover why they were chosen.

Independent Practice:
Students will visit the web site Stuff About Michigan to explore Michigan's state symbols.

Students will use the information they gather to create a picture or graphic organizer showing the symbols for our state. They will paint their pictures using Kid Pix or make graphic organizers using Kidspiration software.

(Day 2)
Distribute the Getting to Know Michigan booklets and review some of the state facts and symbols.

Students will write two paragraphs about two of Michigan's state symbols and why they represent our state.  Those students who used Kidspiration for their assignment will use the word processing application to write their papers.

(Day 3)
Closing:
Students will show the class their finished pictures or graphic organizers and describe the symbols they used. They will also explain why these symbols were chosen to represent our state.

Assessment:
Students will be assessed according to the rubric developed for this assignment.

Language Arts connection:
Read "M is for Mitten" by Annie Appleford

Books
M is for Mitten by Annie Appleford
Getting to Know Michigan prepared by the Michigan Legislature