Students learn how to use air photographs to measure and classify land use. The process of identifying and classifying land use provides information to address environmental, economic, and political influences and issues. Urban planners, land developers, foresters, and farmers all use air photos. Students use the skills that are applied by people in many types of work. They learn how to map land use and understand how the use of land changes over time.

Students use a land use measurement system on an air photo (or map option) to classify patterns of land use and land cover from a locality in Michigan. The big idea is that land is an important natural resource that can be used in many ways. The way land is used may be influenced by natural features or may be the result of changes and impacts by people.

Students answer three essential questions: 

How do people use the land? 

How can land use be measured?

How can land use be classified? 

Major concepts include land use/land cover, land use classification, and land as a resource.

If the class is not familiar with air photos or ready to use them, begin the lesson by using the map that has been made from the air photo.  This will enable students to begin with the map and make the transition to the air photo. The symbols on the map are designed for elementary students. Follow the same procedures for the air photos with the map first, then repeat with the air photos.

Subject/Target Grade

Social Studies and Science/ Upper Elementary (4-6)

Duration

90 minutes – Classroom setting

Materials

per class

• a photograph or poster of a familiar person

• A Bird’s-eye View (optional teacher resource) 

• Air Photo 1 or Map 1: Land Use and Land Cover: The Imprint of People (transparency master) 

• Air Photo 1 or Map 1: Land Use and Land Cover: The Imprint of People (answer key) 

• Dot Planimeter (transparency master)

• Amount of Area for Each Land Use/Land Cover (answer key) 

• Bar Graph of Land Use/Land Cover (answer key) 

• Air Photo 2: Land Use/Land Cover Assessment (answer key) 

• Amount of Each Land Use/Land Cover Assessment (answer key) 

per pair of students

• acetate pen

• Air Photo 1 or Map 1: Land Use and Land Cover: The Imprint of People (student resource) 

• Dot Planimeter (transparency master) 

• Amount of Area for Each Land Use/Land Cover (student activity) 

• Bar Graph of Land Use/Land Cover (student activity) 

per student

• Air Photo 2: Land Use/Land Cover Assessment (student assessment) 

• Amount of Each Land Use/Land Cover Assessment (student assessment)