Day 5: Patterns in History - Connecting the Detroit Renaissance Center to the District Detroit
Standard
4 – H3.0.5 Use visual data and informational text or primary accounts to compare a major Michigan economic activity today with that same activity or a related activity in the past.
Objectives
Students will be able to compare the development of the Renaissance Center to the development of the Little Caesars Arena, comparing how they changed the landscape of Detroit.
Assessment
Students will complete a Venn Diagram, in groups, comparing the two developments.
Instructional Activities
- Review information about the Renaissance Center from Day 2 by completing a Kahoot activity
- Use the book, Detroit Then and Now, to view pictures from 1967-1974 and pictures from present to start getting students in the ‘compare and contrast’ mindset
- As a class, students will read two articles about the development of District Detroit and the Little Caesars Arena with background information and community opinions (See resources below)
- Students will work in groups of 2 and create a Venn Diagram comparing the different aspects of the two developments
- (people behind them, community reaction, etc.)
- Whole class discussion about patterns in history and how history can repeat itself.
Resources
Detroit Then and Now by Cheri Gay
"Promise versus Performance Creates Huge Gap in the Illiches' District Detroit." Detroit Free Press, May 24, 2019
"Don't Distort Illitch Companies' Positive Impact on Community - Rebuttal" Detroit Free Press, September 14, 2017