Land Use Lesson 5 - Analyzing Land Use Changes : State

Students inquire about the changing agricultural land use in Michigan. Data indicate that less land is used in agriculture today than in Michigan’s past, but there is still a surplus of food produced. This is the result of new farming practices and improved transportation that brings many food products to Michigan from other places, such as grapes from Chile, lettuce from California, etc. Data for Michigan land use are graphed and analyzed to reveal past changes and project what future changes may occur.

The students answer three essential questions: 

How is land use changing? 

Why is land use changing? 

Are the land use changes positive or negative?

Subject/Target Grade

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

Duration

45 minutes – Classroom setting

Materials

per class

• Table 1: State of Michigan Agricultural Lands (transparency master) 

• Line Graph of Changes in Michigan’s Agricultural Lands (transparency master, answer key) 

• Government’s Role in Land Stewardship (transparency master) 

• Michigan’s Urban and Built-Up Land Use (transparency master, answer key) 

• Table 2: State of Michigan Urban and Built-Up Land Use, 1978-2004 (transparency master) 

• State of Michigan Forestlands (Acres) (answer key) 

per student

• Table 1: State of Michigan Agricultural Lands (student resource) 

• Line Graph of Changes in Michigan’s Agricultural Lands (student activity) 

• Table 2: State of Michigan Urban and Built-Up Land Use, 1978-2004 (student resource) 

• Michigan’s Urban and Built-Up Land Use, 1978-2004 (student assessment) 

• Michigan’s Tart Cherry Production, 2006-2012 (student activity) 

• Tart Cherry Farms in Michigan (student activity) 

• State of Michigan Forestlands (Acres) (student activity)