About the
Michigan
Lesson
Summary
This is an introductory lesson about the state of Michigan.
Lesson Objectives
• to introduce and list some of Michigan’s state rankings;
•
to describe and discuss some of Michigan’s geography.
Suggested Grades
2nd Grade
3rd Grade
4th Grade
Lesson Excerpt
Michigan is a Midwestern state in the United States. It is named after Lake Michigan, an adaptation of the word “mishigama,” which means large water or large lake. Michigan state consists of two peninsulas. A peninsula is a piece of land that is surrounded by water on three sides.
Michigan’s Lower Peninsula is sometimes called “the mitten” because of its shape. The Upper and the Lower Peninsulas are separated by the Straits of Mackinac, which is a channel five miles long joining Lake Michigan to Lake Huron. The Upper Peninsula is important to the economy because of its natural resources and tourism. Residents of the Upper Peninsula are typically called “Yoopers.”
Michigan has several nicknames, such as The Great Lakes State, The Wolverine State, The Automotive State, and Water-Winter Wonderland.
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