Lesson 3 Michigans Natural Characteristics Landforms What is

Lesson 3: Michigan’s Natural Characteristics Landforms

What is a natural or physical characteristic? Ø Things on Earth not made by humans Ø Examples of natural characteristics l l l l Trees Soil Hills Rivers Animals Lakes Peninsulas

Landforms Ø Different kinds of land on the Earth Ø Examples of landforms l l l Mountains Hills Plains Peninsula Island Sand Dunes

What peninsulas can you find in Michigan? Keweenaw Peninsula Leelanau Peninsula Upper Peninsula The “thumb” Lower Peninsula

What islands can you find in Michigan? Isle Royal Mackinac Island Beaver Island North & South Manitou Bois Blanc Island

Special Purpose Map Ø Maps that show characteristics of an area such as landforms, climate, or forests Highest elevations – brown Medium elevations – yellow Lower elevations - green Elevation Map

Elevation Ø The elevation of the land is how high a place is. Ø Examples l l A mountain has a higher elevation than a hill Mt. Arvon has an elevation of 1, 979 feet above sea level.

Special Purpose Map What does this special purpose map tells us about Michigan? Huron Mountain Range Porcupine Mountain Range

Special Purpose Maps Ø Michigan l Studies Elevation Map • pages 18 -19 l L andforms Map • page 15

Mt. Arvon Michigan’s Highest Point Huron Mountains

Reading Elevation Maps Ø Michigan l Studies Pages 18 -19 Porcupine Mountains

Michigan Sand Dunes Ø Sand dunes are ridges or hills of loose sand piled up by the wind. Ø Michigan has the largest amount of fresh water dunes in the world. Ø Michigan sand dunes support a wide variety of habitats – cool forests of maple trees to the windy wide open dunes.

Michigan Sand Dunes Sleeping Bear Dunes

Landforms of Michigan Ø Read informational text Ø Compare text to reference chart

Legend of Sleeping Bear Ø By Kathy-Jo Wargin Ø Legend l l Traditional Literature Passed down through generations orally Come from a specific culture Contain religious, magical, or mystical elements