Objectives:
Students will explore the legend which explains the creation of the Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Content Standards and Benchmarks:
Michigan Language Arts: Literature
Describe how various cultures and our common heritage are represented in
literature and other texts.
Content Standard 5:4

Michigan Social Studies: Geographic Perspective
Describe the Geography of Michigan at major time in its history and explain
the reasons for its change.
Content Standards 4:1

*Students should be familiar with Paul Bunyan and the Great Lakes the literature connection in lesson 2.

Materials:
The Legend of the Sleeping Bear written by Kathy-jo Wargin and illustrated by Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen.

Procedure:
Engage:
Tell the students that a sand dune is a mountain of sand.  Some of the most famous dunes are here in Michigan.  They are called the Sleeping Bear Dunes.  Show the students where the Sleeping Bear Dunes, North Manitou and South Manitou Islands are located on the map of Michigan.

Anticipatory Set:
The people of the Three Fires had many stories about how the world was created by the Great Manitou, or Great Spirit.  One of the stories is about how North and South Manitou Islands and Sleeping Bear Dunes were made. These kinds of stories are called legends.  They are passed down from generation to generation and are different from fairy tales because they explain how a certain part of the world came to be. It also tells us how noble characters are rewarded.  As I read to you listen for:

        - How the Sleeping Bear Dunes and the North and South Manitou
          Islands were created
        - How one of the characters was rewarded and what for

Read the Legend of Sleeping Bear aloud to the class.

Independent Practice:
Ask the students the questions from above and discuss the answers.  Make sure they understand that a legend describes how a part of the world was created. (If you have read Paul Bunyan and The Great Lakes) Ask them if they can think of another legend that is similar to this one. (Students should remember that the Paul Bunyan legend describes the making of Michigan and the Great Lakes)

Assessment:
Through teacher evaluation during the discussion you will be able to evaluate the students' understanding of a legend.

(If students are familiar with Paul Bunyan)
Students will use a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast the two legends.

Resources:
Web sites:
The Sleeping Bear Dunes Homepage
http://www.leelanau.com/dunes/

Books:
The Legend of Sleeping Bear
by Kathy-jo Wargin
illustrated by Gijsbert van Grankenhuyzen