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Social Studies Alive!

Michigan and Its People

Michigan is bigger than the map shows. Students explore its geography, history, economy, and government by touring the state, working on an assembly line, and taking a position at a city council meeting.

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What Students Will Explore

Unit 1

Geography

Geography opens the program with where Michigan sits in the world. Students build a three-dimensional model of Earth, tour the state on a scavenger hunt, and create a sales presentation promoting a Michigan industry, from agriculture to tourism.

Unit 2

History (Through Statehood)

History through statehood begins with how historians use primary and secondary sources. Students find hidden clues in five photographs to learn how three Indigenous groups worked with their environments, question artifacts from a museum attic, and place the events leading to statehood on a timeline.

Unit 3

Economics

Michigan's early economy ran on mining, farming, and lumber. Students design a historical marker for a place shaped by natural resources, take on the role of a factory worker to consider the assembly line, and create a mini drama about an industry changing today.

Unit 4

Civics and Government

Civics and government cover the structure of Michigan's government and how it works to help people. Students plan and write a podcast, examine bumper stickers for ways to make a difference, carry out a community service project, and take a position on a public issue.

Unit 5

History (Beyond Statehood)

History beyond statehood starts with the Underground Railroad and Michigan's role in the abolition movement. Students plan a documentary trailer, correct errors in museum exhibits before building their own, and speak as concerned citizens at a city council meeting about protecting the state's environment.

Explore the Program

Cars: Driving the Economy

  • View the Scope and Sequence

    See every unit and lesson at a glance — compelling questions, objectives, and how content builds across History, Geography, Civics, and Economics.

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  • Review Correlations

    See exactly how the program aligns to your state standards, with direct links to the text, activities, and assessments tied to each one.

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Student Materials

  • A brick building by water with a bridge in the background under a blue sky, cover of a Michigan social studies journal.

    Student Journal

    The colorful, easy-to-use, print consumable Student Journal combines standards-based content and rich activities to support student learning. Students will make personal connections that allow them to develop a deep understanding of key social studies content while building critical social studies and ELA skills. Also available in Spanish.

Teacher Materials

  • A lighthouse near the Mackinac Bridge at sunset, featured on a Social Studies Alive! Michigan Teachers Guide cover.

    Teacher's Guide

    Teacher's Guide supports everything from lesson planning to grading—step-by-step procedures, time estimates, differentiation strategies, and answer keys, ready to use offline or as a quick reference while teaching.

  • Turquoise cover of Social Studies Alive! Michigan and Its People Activity Cards, Third Edition by TCI.

    Activity Cards

    The Activity Cards are laminated, reusable cards that contain vibrant, interactive content for students. The cards include large maps, game boards, and manipulatives that can be cut out and be reused year after year. Also available in Spanish.

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At TCI, we don't just say our programs work — we invite independent reviewers to put them to the test. Our social studies and science programs are reviewed by respected third-party organizations that analyze our resources for quality, effectiveness, and alignment with standards.

In addition to national recognition, our programs are reviewed and approved by individual states to ensure they meet specific requirements and standards. We also participate in landscape analyses that compare our offerings with those of other leading programs, so educators and districts can make informed choices.

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