Land Use Lesson 4 : Reflecting on How the Land Is Used

Students examine short readings about individuals’ land use preferences and identify the different views of the land held by different individuals. They compare and contrast these individual views of the land. 

The big idea for this lesson is that land can be used for many different purposes. Different land uses have different impacts on plants, animals, and people. 

Students examine three essential questions: 

Why do people use land differently? 

Why do land use conflicts occur? 

How do different land uses impact plant and animal life and people?

Subject/Target Grade

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

Duration

60 minutes – Classroom setting

Materials

per class

• Analyzing Land Use Readings (answer key) 

• Analyzing the Impacts of Land Uses (answer key) 

• Readings on MEECS Land Use audio CD 

• Photo of farm, Comerica Park, Seney National Wildlife Refuge, and forest on MEECS Land Use CD

per small group 

• Enough copies of the following readings for one-fourth the class to have each: A Farm in Michigan, A Visit to Comerica Park, A Visit to Seney National Wildlife Refuge, and Using the Forest in Many Ways (student resource) 

per student

• highlighter

• Analyzing Land Use Readings (student activity) 

• Analyzing the Impacts of Land Uses (student activity) 

• Lesson Assessment (student assessment)