ImagineNation+Matters+2015



For **ImagineNation Matters 2016**, we're proud to offer **twenty-one** story modules for your consideration. Remember that you can focus on one, or if your time permits, you can do two modules over the course of the Winter 2016 session, which will run from late January through the mid-April. Our mentors will be happy to work with your students at whatever pace is comfortable for you. Contact **Jeff Stanzler (stanz@umich.edu)** for more information.

Click [|here] to see our **PUBLIC** site, where you can view many of our modules in their entirety (use the Login: **guest** and the password: **guest)**

This guest ID starts you on **the __Our State Government__** **site, but t****o view other sites, simply click on VISIT OTHER TOURS in the upper right hand corner.** //As you'll see when you sign on, each module has a welcome page, and the pages of the story are grouped into chapters, viewable along the left hand side. After the welcome page, each page will have a discussion prompt, and a space for the kids to post their responses. During the actual simulation, mentors portray the characters from the story and interact with the kids in character (each of the students has their own ID and Password and is able to log on and post).//

//At the bottom of the listing of the chapters there is a link to the KIDS PAGE, with supplemental opportunities for the kids to further explore ideas developed in the module. Along the right hand side of the page, you'll see the TEACHER FUNCTIONS. For example, you'll be able to look and see what any one of your students has posted, and you'll also be able to hide story pages that you're not yet ready to read with your students. In addition, you'll get links to supplemental teaching resources and ideas, including directions/tips for working with each module.//

=** ImagineNation Matters modules for 2016 **=

=A Firefighter's Tale= Have you ever wondered about what it would be like to be a firefighter? How about the //son// of a firefighter? Jimmy can tell you all about it, both the bad and the good!





=Law and Order: A Children's Story= Two friends learn a lot about the legal system and the nimportant work that lawyers do, and then they must work together to help make their school a better place.





=Making a Change= Jacoby has a lot to learn about healthy habits, and he discovers that changing eating and exercise habits isn't easy. Does Jacoby have what it takes to make some important changes in his life?



//Here's a summary of the story and major themes of the **Making a Change** module, along with GLCE benchmark connections://

=Bracelets, Partners & Economics=

Kayla and her friends start a business as they try to lend a hand to students in need. Join them as they learn some lessons in business and economics, but also in what it means to be a friend and a good partner.



Here's a summary of the GLCE benchmark connections in "Bracelets, Partners & Economics":

. =Underground Railroad=

= = Here's a summary of the story and major themes of the Underground Railroad module along with GLCE benchmark connections.

=Wolves and the Land= The land is brought to life through a series of dramatic stories that illustrate aspects of life among the Ottawa People and that dramatize stories of wolves and mankind.



Here's a summary of the story and major themes of the Michigan: Ever-Changing and Forever module along with GLCE benchmark connections:



=Our State Government= We're very excited about this module, in which fourth graders respond to problems at school by creating a government for their grade. Along the way, Garrett and his friends learn a lot about civic involvement and about how state government works.

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Here's a summary of the story and major themes of the Michigan State Government module along with GLCE benchmark connections:



=Animal, Vegetable, Mineral: Natural Resources in Michigan's Upper Peninsula= Students travel to the Ottawa National Park in Michigan's Upper Peninsula to learn about the richness of our State's natural resources and to think together about the complicated matter of responsibly caring for our environment.

Here's a summary of the story and major themes of the Animal, Vegetable, Mineral: Natural Resources in Michigan's Upper Peninsula module along with GLCE benchmark connections:



=Maggie's Ojibwa Story= A young girl of Ojibwa heritage explores her cultural history and faces some challenging questions about herself and about fitting in. If you're interested in learning more about Native culture in Michigan, this is the module for you!



Here's a summary of the story and major themes of the Maggie's Ojibwa Story module along with GLCE benchmark connections:



=Searching for Solidarity: Joey's Story= One of the most important events in labor history took place in Flint in 1937 when, at great personal risk, workers occupied an auto plant to assert their rights to safe working conditions. Come and learn about the dangers faced by the men and their families as they ultimately won the battle that made the United Auto Workers Union a reality.



Here's a summary of the story and major themes of the Searching for Solidarity modul along with GLCE benchmark connections:



=**Great Lakes**= Our Great Lakes are amazing resources that help to make our region special. Come along as Tyler learns about all of the work done by scientists to protect these marvelous waterways.



Here's a summary of the story and major themes of the Great Lakes module along with GLCE benchmark connections:



=**This Green State**= Eric's science project gives him the opportunity to explore whether cars and the environment can co-exist harmoniously, and we look at themes of conflict resolution both in life and in the classroom:



Here is a summary of the story and major themes of the Green Michigan module, along with GLCE benchmark connections:

=**Edmund Fitzgerald**= One of our modules explores the story of the great freighter called the **Edmund Fitzgerald**, and as we revisit the events of that fateful night in 1975 and the aftermath, we discuss what a cargo freighter does, along with themes of tragedy and remembrance and problem-solving.



Here's a summary of the story and major themes of the Edmund Fitzgerald module along with GLCE benchmark connections.

=**Mackinac Island**= Two kids take a magical journey through the history of Mackinac Island in this module, which explores themes related to nature, transportation and tourism.



Here's a summary of the story and major themes of the Mackinac Island module along with GLCE benchmark connections:

=**Jackson Prison**= Through a letter exchange between William and his father (an incarcerated citizen), we learn about Historic Jackson Prison and its connection to the city of Jackson, and we also explore themes of social justice and repentance.

Here's a summary of the story and major themes of the Jackson Prison module along with GLCE benchmark connections:

=**Arab-American Odyssey**= Ihsan moves to a new school and struggles to fit in and define himself, while his new friend Johnny learns about Arab culture and has his courage tested.



Here's a summary of the story and major themes of the Arab-American Odyssey module along with GLCE benchmark connections:



=**Brass Bands of the Past**= Travel back in time to meet William Cole and feel the excitement when Welton's Saxhorn Band comes to town in a day before TV, CDs, iPods...or even radios!!

Here's a summary of the story and major themes of the Brass Bands of the Past module along with GLCE benchmark connections:

=**Student/Athletes at the U of M**= A team of future teachers & media specialists worked with several U of M varsity athletes to create this module which goes beyond the glory of the athletic field to explore the complex lives of student-athletes who balance demanding practice and travel schedules with their academic work.

Here's a summary of the story and major themes of the Student/Athletes at the U of M module along with GLCE benchmark connections:

=Difficult Choices: Molly and the Environment= Thanks to her big sister, Molly learns a lot about how important wetlands are to sustaining our environment. Now she has to help make the case that destroying a wetland--even to expand the school--isn't the best idea. Molly finds her courage in this exciting story.

//Here's a summary of the story and major themes of the DIFFICULT CHOICES module, along with GLCE benchmark connections://



=On the Move: A Midwestside Story= Maria is a migrant worker who is coming to a new school...again! Tommy doesn't understand Maria's accent, and doesn't seem to be interested in getting to know her. Read about how they become friends...and learn some Spanish as you do!



//Here's a summary of the story and major themes of the ON THE MOVE module, along with GLCE benchmark connections://



=Danny's Camp Adventure= Danny is a reluctant camper who *thinks* that he has no interest in the natural world, but he's in for some marvelous surprises. Join Danny as learns a lot about nature and the outdoors...and about himself!

= = //Here's a summary of the story and major themes of the DANNY'S CAMP ADVENTURE module, along with GLCE benchmark connections://