You can bet teachers and students have a lot to say about their week of exploring Michigan's past during The BIG History Lesson at the Michigan Historical Museum in Lansing. After all, they have experienced Michigan's past in an engaging, interactive environment with the help of costumed interpretars, presentations by experts, hands-on activities and behind-the-scenes perspectives.

• Apply now for your classroom to participate in The BIG History Lesson! Click on "The BIG History Lesson Application" in the column at right.

Teachers talk about The BIG History Lesson:

"The impact on both my teaching and my students' learning has been profound. It's hard to go back to 'four walls' teaching after the experiential learning that occurs at the museum."

"Not only has [The BIG History Lesson] changed the way I teach, it has changed how my students learn. ...I attribute [our high MEAP scores] to the BHL because we don't just teach facts but teach kids to think and feel and internalize. I feel very passionate about this program!"

"What an amazing experience for everyone: the students, parents, school faculty, and me! Parents were so impressed on our first day at the museum that they took extra vacation days that week so they could come back and be with us some more."

"Because of the vision of The BIG History Lesson, our children have learned that they can have a powerful effect on the preservation of our history."

"It's been six weeks since our BIG History Lesson week, and not a day has passed without the students mentioning something from the experience....We'll continue to build on what we experienced and never forget our week!"

"The Big History Lesson gets students interested in studying history in ways that a textbook can never dream of!...IT has changed students' perceptions of the past! Learning History is COOL!"

Students talk about The BIG History Lesson:

"Before we came here, I thought it would be a boring trip and I always said at least we get a week off school. But I was wrong. It was a fun way of learning."

"The best part was that while we were learning so much about our great state and its history, we were having fun."

"The BIG History Lesson was the best thing that could ever happen to me."

"I learned a lot because of all the wonderful presenters. They all did a great job. I'm going to come back very soon with my family."

"I loved the artifacts in the flag room. It was so cool seeing Abel Peck's flag . . . I loved the whole museum."

"I never knew that there was so much history that I didn't know about. It was one of the most enjoyable weeks I had."

For more information about The BIG History Lesson at the Michigan Historical Museum, please telephone Laurie Perkins at (517) 241-0731 or send e-mail to PerkinsL1@michigan.gov.

Go to:

• Teaching Michigan History home page
• Michigan Historical Museum home page
• Michigan Historical Center home page

Updated 01/25/2008