1. Islands Essential Questions: What is an island?
How are islands different from
continental masses?
What are some advantages and disadvantages of an island?

2. Objectives: Students will be able to:
Describe what an island is
Locate the world’s 20 largest islands
Describe some of the characteristics of four different kinds of islands
Describe some of the advantages and disadvantages of being an island.

3. What is an island?
A body of land surrounded by water, (as opposed to a peninsula)
Less than continental size
Above water at all times
Large enough to support life

4. Varieties of islands Continental islands
Part of the continent shelf, and of the
same geologic composition as the continent, but separated from the mainland by water, either through rifts, erosion, subsidence,
or a rise in sea level.

5. Varieties of islands
Continental islands
Example: Madagascar

6. Varieties of islands Oceanic islands Rise from the ocean floor
often through volcanic action.

7. Varieties of islands
Oceanic islands
Example: Hawaii

8. Varieties of islands Coral islands Formed in shallow water
Coral filters seawater for its food, and leaves behind a limestone shell when it dies. Coral can grow in clear, typically warm water within about 20 feet of the surface where sunlight can penetrate
Formed in shallow water
by the activities of coral, a living thing.

9. Varieties of islands
Coral islands
Example: Florida Keys

10. Varieties of islands Barrier islands Formed by deposition,
either from rivers or ocean currents.
Barrier Islands are often parallel
to the coast, made of sand or silt,
and are relatively unstable.

11. Varieties of islands Barrier islands Example: San Padre Islands
(Texas)

12. Underline the names of the 20 largest islands Map Activity Cuba
Victoria
Ellesmere
Baffin
Greenland
Newfoundland
Iceland
Great Britain
Ireland
Madagascar
Sumatra
Java
Borneo
Celebes
New Guinea
North Island, NZ
South Island, NZ
Mindanao
Luzon
Honshu
(Note: Honshu is the large island in Japan, and Luzon is the northernmost Philippine island, and Mindanao is the southernmost.)

13. How are islands unique? Climate Brainstorming Activity
(Note: Honshu is the large island in Japan, and Luzon is the northernmost Philippine island, and Mindanao is the southernmost.)
More influenced by the ocean
More moderate climate
Not always wet

14. How are islands unique? Surrounded by water Brainstorming Activity
(Note: Honshu is the large island in Japan, and Luzon is the northernmost Philippine island, and Mindanao is the southernmost.)
Safety (Great Britain)
Isolation (New Zealand)
Cultural distinctiveness (Ireland)
Biological diversity (Galapagos)

15. How are islands unique? Transportation and Location Brainstorming
Activity
How are islands unique?
Transportation and Location
(Note: Honshu is the large island in Japan, and Luzon is the northernmost Philippine island, and Mindanao is the southernmost.)
Transportation
stop (Hawaii)
Location advantage (Manhattan)
Transportation disadvantage (Isle Royale)

16. How are islands unique? Economics Brainstorming Activity
Linked with unique physical or cultural characteristics (Jamaica)
(Note: Honshu is the large island in Japan, and Luzon is the northernmost Philippine island, and Mindanao is the southernmost.)
Linked with location (Guam)
Tourism!

17. Describe the location and characteristics of _______ Island.
Group
Activity
Describe the location and characteristics of _______ Island.
State why it is considered an island, and what kind of island it is.
(Note: Honshu is the large island in Japan, and Luzon is the northernmost Philippine island, and Mindanao is the southernmost.)
Describe two advantages
and two disadvantages it has
because it is an island.