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Land Use Lesson 2: Measuring Land Use and Land Cover

Provided by: GoOpen Michigan

Lesson Plans Grades 3-5

Synopsis

In this lesson, students will use aerial photos and dot planimeters to measure the proportion of land used for various purposes.
Students will measure, convert into percentages, and discuss how the land is used as a resource.
This lesson builds off of Land Use Lesson 1 and is part of an 8-lesson unit.

Subjects: Science, Social Studies

Authors: MEECS, EGLE

Region: Michigan

Languages: English

Positives

The extension for determining local land-use changes will help students connect their learning to where they live, providing a richer learning experience.
The dot planimeter is an excellent tool for students who cannot yet calculate irregular areas.

Prerequisites

To see all of the materials and information, including the procedure for teaching the lesson, teachers will need to click on the link titled "Land Use Lesson 2: Measuring Land Use and Cover" on the left and the green View Resource button (or click here).
To help lead students to the definition of planimeter, teachers may first have to explain that the root plan- is derived from plane or surface.
The suggested resource, kiteseyeview.com, does not exist.

Differentiation & Implementation

Students working on calculating area can use simplified land use maps to write or answer questions such as, "What is the area of land being used for recreational purposes?"
If teachers do not have transparencies for the dot planimeters, they can have students place copies of the planimeter in a sheet protector and trace where the dots are located.
When discussing how people have changed the land, teachers can guide students in thinking about what this means for the animals and plants that once lived on that land.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format