After reviewing natural (physical) and human characteristics from Lesson 1, students use maps to identify and describe significant natural (physical) characteristics of Michigan including mountain ranges, sand dune areas, the Great Lakes, inland lakes and important rivers. In a connection to science students briefly explore how glaciers helped to create some of these natural (physical) characteristics. The lesson uses multiple resources including informational text, legends and photographs.

Important bodies of water include the Great Lakes, inland lakes, rivers and waterfalls. In a connection to science students briefly explore how glaciers helped to create some of these natural (physical) characteristics. The lesson uses multiple resources including informational text, legends and photographs.

The Roadmap is a remix of the Michigan Open Book, MC3 and GIANTS all in one place. This lesson expands upon the concept of region by having students invent ways to divide Michigan into regions. Students compare the Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula of Michigan and then explore other ways in which Michigan can be divided into regions based on common characteristics (e.g., the Thumb, the Fruit Belt). Finally students examine regions to which Michigan belongs. (e.g., Great Lakes Region, Midwest).

This Roadmap is a remix of the Michigan Open Book, MC3 and GIANTS all in one place. In this lesson students continue to explore the concepts of scarcity, choice, and productive resources as they examine different types of economic activities in Michigan. They begin by identifying goods and services produced in their own local communities. Next, they explore a wide variety of Michigan products by playing a simple game and then categorizing the Michigan products according to economic activities such as manufacturing, agriculture, and mining. Next they take a brief look at service industries and tourism as well as research and development. Throughout the lesson, they use their knowledge of Michigan’s physical and human geography to answer the question: “Why is this economic activity located here?”

The Roadmap is a remix of Michigan Open Book, MC3, and GIANTS all in one place. In this lesson students apply what they have learned about the study of history to American Indian cultures in Michigan. They explore early American Indian groups in Michigan. Students then identify similarities and differences among the groups known as the “Three Fires.” Geography concepts are applied when students examine how American Indians used, adapted to, and modified the environment. The lesson concludes as students connect the past to the present by investigating American Indians in Michigan today.

This Roadmap is a full year plan that covers the geography, economics, government and history of Michigan.

In third grade students learn about Michigan history. The Michigan eLibrary has compiled a number of websites suitable for children to learn more about our state. There is information on Michigan Native Americans, folklore, wildlife, birds, bugs, and much more.

Students use a geographic lens to explore the state of Michigan. The chapter focuses around the five major themes of geography: movement, region, human/environment interaction, and location. Students explore the concept of “state” using a map of the United States. In studying location, students use cardinal directions, identify various ways to describe the relative location of Michigan, and begin to explore how location can influence the development of a state. When studying place, students identify and describe significant human and physical characteristics of Michigan using a variety of maps. Through literature, maps, informational text and other resources students also explore the concept of human/environment interaction as they learn about Michigan’s natural resources and how people have used, modified, and adapted to them. In studying movement, an emphasis is placed on the Great Lakes. Using shipping as a launching point, students explore how and why people, goods, jobs and ideas move within, into and out of Michigan. Finally, students apply the concept of region to the study of Michigan as they explore different ways Michigan can be divided into regions as well as the different regions to which Michigan belongs.

Students are introduced to air photos. They first view a neighborhood from a bird’s-eye view, a photo taken from a kite. They next compare two air photos of Shelby
Township, MI. The air photos show the land use change during the period from 1980 to 2010. The students compare, contrast, and use evidence from the air photos
to explore the changes.

Michigan. The Mitten State. Surrounded by the Great Lakes, filled with many natural wonders and a rich history. Learn about Michigan in our third grade offering from the Michigan Open Book Project.

What do you think makes Michigan special? You might be thinking that Michigan is special because it is your home. Maybe it is special because the people you care about live in Michigan. These are wonderful reasons. This resource will help you learn about many other ways that Michigan is special.

UMCDC 3rd Grade MiOpenBook SS Chapter 1 Section 5 "Why are the Great Lakes Great?" (20-21)