2003 Editions

Michigan Time Traveler-Kids' History

The Michigan Time Traveler featured Michigan history topics for kids in a fun and lively newspaper page that appeared monthly in the Lansing State Journal. The Michigan Historical Center produced the Michigan Time Traveler for Lansing Newspapers in Education, Inc.

This page lists the topic and publication date of each Michigan Time Traveler edition in 2003. The newspaper pages and teacher's guides are in PDF format, Adobe Acrobat Reader required.

Teacher's guides include discussion questions and classroom activities. Some online guides include "bonus" resource pages. Guides with full-page images, such as maps and photos, will take longer to download. Note: Newspaper page PDFs are approximately 12" x 22"; click "fit to page" when printing.

• Ice. What is a sequel? Read sequels to the "Adrift on the Ice" story. See a vintage winter hat; design and advertise a new winter hat. Write about your own winter adventure. (December 10, 2003)
  • December newspaper page
  • December teacher's guide
• History Flies in Michigan. Make an aviation history time line, map Michigan airports, read and write about Michigan's first aviator and match book titles to characters who "flew." Four bonus pages of links and resources. (November 12, 2003)
  • November newspaper page 
  • November teacher's guide
• Fire! Famous fires in Michigan history lead to lessons about the environment, communicating in time of disaster and understanding an event from your own or another's perspective. (October 8, 2003)
  • October newspaper page
  • October teacher's guide
• It's Harvest Time! Michigan's crops and the migrant workers who help with the harvest provide lessons for Hispanic Heritage Month. (September 17, 2003)
  • September newspaper page
  • September teacher's guide
• Flags of the Civil War. After 141 years Michigan returns a Confederate flag to Fredericksburg, VA. Discuss the importance of symbols, research the ethics of returning captured objects. Design a classroom flag. (August 13, 2003)
  • August newspaper page
  • August teacher's guide
• Michigan Libraries. Find out about early libraries, Carnegie libraries, our state library and summer reading. Make a bookmark, read old state library rules and peek at moving a library during Michigan's settlement era. (July 9, 2003)
  • July newspaper page
  • July teacher's guide
• Fort Wilkins. Role-play a fort inhabitant of the 1860s. Use the scenery of Lake Superior to inspire descriptive language and art activities. (June 4, 2003)
  • June newspaper page
  • June teacher's guide
• Michigan Week. Celebrate our 50th Michigan Week in your classroom with these ideas. Explore the history of other holidays and special events, too. (May 14, 2003)
  • May newspaper page
  • May teacher's guide
• Higgins Lake Nursery. Michigan's forest history includes this first state nursery. Learn about and celebrate Arbor Day with these activities. (April 16, 2003)
  • April newspaper page
  • April teacher's guide
• March Madness. Basketball's tourney month brings the history of the sport and why things change. Analyze sports photos. (March 12, 2003)
  • March newspaper page
  • March teacher's guide
• Idlewild Memories. Visit Michigan's "Black Eden" for Black History Month. Discuss the Civil Rights Act of 1964, find your heroes, write an autobiography and research your own home. (February 12, 2003)
  • February newspaper page (large file, high bandwidth recommended for download)
  • February teacher's guide
• A Car Capital. Investigate Lansing's early auto history and plan a city tour. Should Mr. Olds' workers arrive at the factory on local time or standard time? Learn a lesson in philanthropy. (January 8, 2003)
  • January newspaper page
  • January teacher's guide

Contact the Michigan Historical Center.

Updated 07/20/2010