Michigan Family Folklore Project

Third Grade Michigan Studies

Gretchen Eichberger-Kudlack, Teacher

Parent Introduction

Third graders are studying the diverse groups that came to Michigan and the reason why they came. Personal family stories help students internalize Michigan’s unique geography and rich history, in addition instilling personal pride in their homeland.  Folklore is an ever-growing and changing group of stories that we first hear from our parents, therefore this project will depend on your assistance. 

Your child has the option of completing “project 1” which focuses on their family heritage, or project 2 which focuses more on family traditions and their associations with natural resources (fishing trips, farming, food preservation, family recipes, hunting, mining, automobiles, boating, etc…  Both projects include a written report and an oral presentation.  If the report is typed, please save a copy and email it to me so that I may archive for future reference. Presentation may include reading of the report or discussing they main points.

Please have your child complete this project and bring to school by Monday. Nov. 16. 

Family members are welcome to attend the presentations.   

Please contact me if you have questions.  geichberger@manistee.org 889-5521 ext. 341

Schedule of Presentations – Presentation Time is limited to 3 minutes. Please rehearse at home for we need to maintain our schedule.

Monday, November 16  2:10 – 2:50pm

Amanda Babcock, Sam Bush, Kyle Carter, Nate Florian, Jodi Harrison, McKenna Ingalls, Sylvia Mauntler, Jared Nelson, Kris Orlik, James Sturgeon, Roberta Ayala, Eric Calderon

Tuesday, Nov. 17 2:10 – 2:50 pm

Ben Acton, Gavin A., Katie Beeman, Jarret Buckner, Rylan Clarke, Brendan Cook, Maggie Domres, Trent Exo, DeeAnn Gardner, Morley Harnick,  Aric Hopwood, Ben Johnson, Lauren Johnson

Wednesday, Nov. 19 2:10 – 2:50  pm

Kelsey Kosiboski, Tyler K, Sara Madsen, Katelyn McGrady, Mason Milarch, Olivia Rackow, Hope Shoalwater, Black Soper, Nolan VanBrocklin, Colin VanVoorst, D’Angelo Walker, Chloe Wisniski

Family Heritage – Option #1

Write a report about your family’s ethnic background and why they came to Michigan.  Trace your family history and find out where your family came from and what they did when they settled in Michigan.

If your family has Native American ancestry, identify the tribe and where they lived. 

If your family has European ancestry, state why they decided to move to Michigan and the type of work that was available to them.  Tell us where they first settled.  Lead up to the meeting of your parents and conclude with the location in which you were born.

You are encouraged to transfer this information into a Powerpoint.  You may email the attached Powerpoint presentation to me at geichberger@manistee, and I will transfer it to our portable laptop and LCD projector.  You are also encouraged to include photographs and/or drawings.

Family Traditions  - Option #2

Write a report on family traditions that are associated with Michigan’s natural resources.  Include drawings, photographs, or artifacts. 

Some examples could be:

• Do you have a member of your family who is/was a farmer?  What kinds of animals or produce did they raise?  Where was their farm located?
• Is there a family member that is famous for a recipe containing Michigan food (cherries, apples, maple syrup, venison, blackberries, grapes, wheat, corn, etc…)
• Is there a family member that preserves their own foods – makes jams and jellies, cans pears, peaches, etc… 
• Were any of your family members miners? (copper, iron ore, salt) Conduct an interview.
• Do members of your family hunt?  What kinds of hunting traditions does your family follow?  Do you have a special place where you hunt? (cabin or property) Who prepares the meat?  Does your family have special recipes when preparing the meat?  If so, include those recipes.
• Do you have family members that work or have worked in the auto industry? What automaker did they work for?  Conduct an interview.
• Do you have family members that help protect and educate citizens about our Natural Resources?  Conduct an interview.
• Do any of your family members work or Morton Salt or PCA (paper mill)?  If so, conduct an interview.
• Write about a recent fishing or boating trip.  What body of water were you on? If you fished, what kinds of fish were you fishing for?  What ports or harbors did you sail/motor to and from?