Write a Letter: Traveling on the Erie Canal

Have students imagine they have just arrived in Michigan by traveling the Erie Canal. What was their journey like? Where did they come from? What did they see? What happened along the canal ride? Then have students compose a letter from the perspective of a traveler. They may want to write to family members back home, or write a letter to another traveler they met on the boat. Encourage students to be creative! Have students display their letters in the classroom or even mail them to each other to share what they wrote.