3rd Grade Lesson Plans

The Presque Isle Township Museum Society has developed Lighthouse History lesson plans that are aligned to the Michigan 3rd grade social studies standards. Upon completion of the lessons, students will understand the maritime history of Northeast Michigan, the role of women lighthouse keepers, types of lighthouses, the history and workings of the Fresnel lens, and terminology and facts associated with early lighthouse operations in Michigan.

Lesson Plans

The Presque Isle Township Museum Society has developed Lighthouse History lesson plans that are aligned to the Michigan 3rd grade social studies standards. Upon completion of the lessons, students will understand the maritime history of Northeast Michigan, the role of women lighthouse keepers, types of lighthouses, the history and workings of the Fresnel lens, and terminology and facts associated with early lighthouse operations in Michigan. Michigan Lighthouse History, 3rd Grade Social Studies Lesson Plans. Documents referenced in these lesson plans (e.g., vocabulary sheet, “Find Out” Michigan Lighthouse Homework sheet, Great Lakes Lighthouse Alphabet Search, logs from Captain William Sims and Thomas Garrity, Lighthouse Log worksheet, etc.) are available for download HERE (organized by unit.).

Educational Travel Bins for Teachers in Alpena and Presque Isle counties

The Presque Isle Township Museum Society has developed educational travel bins that contain Lighthouse History lesson plans for Michigan 3rd grade social studies and the books, articles, video links, reproducible worksheets, and demonstration materials for all of the included lesson plans. Teachers in Presque Isle and Alpena counties may borrow these bins at no cost for use in their classrooms.

Books used in the Lesson Plans are also available at various libraries throughout Michigan- check HERE for the list and availability.

Fieldtrips

In cooperation with Presque Isle Township, the Museum Society also offers follow up field trips for 3rd grade classrooms to the Presque Isle lighthouses. The field trip will reinforce concepts covered in the classroom lesson plans and expand on concepts that are best explored with an actual visit.

For More Information

Please contact Joni Rogers, Education Committee Chair, pilighthouses@gmail.com, for more information on these opportunities and resources.

Acknowledgments

An initial grant from the Presque Isle Community Men’s Club was used to purchase supplies and books for education bins that along with lesson plans, are loaned to local teachers. Presque Isle Electric and Gas (PIE&G) Communities First Fund awarded funds for additional books for the education bins. Moran Iron Works and Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union (AAACU) provided funds to support transportation and climb fees for class visits to the lighthouses.

These lesson plans were developed by the Education Committee of the Presque Isle Township Museum Society. Our gratitude to Joni Rogers and MaryEllen Moyski for their time and talent serving on this committee and developing these lessons.