Michigan History Nightmares

Michigan History Nightmares How Michigan Became a State…Lessons From Beyond the Grave Christmas is fast approaching and with it the anticipation of magical surprises. But, when Katie, Nick, Gary, Helena, and Zach log onto the new Tri-Con Dynamics quantum computers, the anticipated magical surprises turn into a nightmare! Without warning, they find themselves hurled into a parallel universe where they must desperately try to survive life threatening lessons taught by ghosts. Now it’s time for Mrs. Ojibwa’s class to begin their research on the men who helped Michigan become a state. Katie’s group enters the computer lab prepared to research these trailblazers. The library now houses five new computers each with a Tri-Con Dynamics nameplate. Mrs. Ojibwa explains that the children are part of a test group to see if the computers are kid friendly. As the machines boot up a small drawer next to the USB port slides open revealing a ring. A message on the screen instructs the researchers to wear the rings while interacting with the computer. As Katie turns to ask Mrs. Ojibwa about the ring, she thinks she sees her teacher switching pens. Little does Katie know that hidden beneath the engraved Michigan symbol is the Tri-Con logo. The group enters their research questions. Just as they hit return a flash of lightning rips across the sky. SNAP! They find themselves launched with force through the computer. The group finds themselves in a forest where they meet Daniel Boone’s ghost. Daniel whisks them away to his fort. During their time at the fort they realize they have been catapulted into a parallel universe. Nick explains that if someone touches a living person or animal they will be drawn into their universe with no way back. Daniel teaches the group about his being captured by Blackfish and his warriors at Licking River. The children help Boone rescue his daughter from savages. They also learn about the attack on Boonesborough. While following Daniel into the forest they are chased by a pack of wolves. Katie steps into quicksand. As she struggles to get out she sees a wolf approach the pit. Thinking that it’s Zach transformed into a wolf she reaches out for help. As the wolf retreats Katie realizes she’s crossed over into the other side. This is just the beginning of their ghost lessons, as they follow teachers who take the children on a wild journey through Michigan’s quest to become a state. The spirit of George Rogers Clark takes the children on his march to Vincennes. “Mad” General Anthony Wayne places the children in the middle of the War of Fallen Timbers, a battle between the general’s army and the Shawnee. Zach goes missing. Generals Brock and William Hull share lessons of the battle at Fort Detroit. During this battle the children are herded into a root cellar. Katie doesn’t notice that the Michigan pen has fallen from her pocket. Packed in with all of the women and children from the fort, there’s no way they can avoid physical contact. They find themselves shifted into the other universe. Meanwhile, back at school, the Tri-Con computers are indicating that there’ a system’s failure. Leaving the cellar with little hope of getting back home, they retrace their steps hoping to find the pen. It’s getting dark and they are about to give up, when they notice a blue glow beneath some leaves. They discover the Michigan pen. Lieutenant Perry’s ghost deposits the kids in the center of a terrifying battle on Lake Erie. During the fight Zach falls overboard. Gary jumps in after him only to become tangled in seaweed. Zach transforms into a wolf. He rips through the weeds freeing Gary and pulling him to safety. The kids are reunited. Their next spirits have them riding in a covered wagon. Lewis Cass explains his contributions to Michigan. At the sound of gunfire the wagon comes to a halt. Cass tells the story of the Toledo War. When the lesson ends so does the war. Cass’s spirit fades away only to be replaced by Stevens T. Mason, the boy governor. The wagon breaks down. The parents don’t notice their little girl running off into the woods. A coyote is about to attack the child. Katie runs toward the girl knocking her out of the way. Zach transforms into a wolf. Within seconds the fight is over. Katie leads the girl back to her parents. After clicking the pen Zach explains about his ability to transform into a wolf. In the meantime, back at school, the Tri-Con machines are speaking to one another. “All systems are in sync. Time to activate retrieval.” The five children wonder what to do next. The sky begins to turn black. Suddenly, the group notices that their rings are turning black. The Michigan pen begins to vibrate. The children decide to try the pen again. Katie pushes down the plunger. Suddenly a bolt of lightning flashes across the sky. They feel a jolt followed by a force launching them through space. The familiar surroundings let them know they are back at school. The rest of the school year goes by in the blink of an eye. As Katie’s group is leaving Mrs. Ojibwa clicks the Michigan pen leaving them with no memory of their computer travels. It is the first day of fourth grade. Katie sees Mrs. Ojibwa standing inside the doorway holding a pen with the state of Michigan engraved on the bottom. “There’s something about that pen,” Katie thinks. “But what?” Mrs. Ojibwa gives Katie a wink. Mrs. Ojibwa follows her class into the room. One can’t help but notice that gleam in her eye as she looks over her new crop of third graders. Click…