Local author brings Flickinger Elementary School students closer to Faraway Home and Michigan History

Traveling through time in Michigan studies has taken on a whole new dimension. At Flickinger third and fourth graders recently participated in the Macomb Intermediate School District’s ASK program that connected them to a local author via interactive technology.

Students read novels about Michigan history entitled Traders In Time and Faraway Home: An Orphan Train Story as well interviewed the author Janie Panagopoulos.

“I liked learning about Michigan Native Americans by reading historical fiction. I really liked the canoe race and how a boy traveled back in time through a dream,” said third grader Andrew Carlson.

Students were also able to ask Panagopoulos questions about her work. “I asked the author how she learned so much about pemmican and Native American customs. She told us to be a good writer you must read a lot and do a lot of research,” commented third grader Grace Jenkins.

Integrating reading, writing, social studies and technology has created meaningful learning experiences for Flickinger students.