Teach-Primary-Issue-19.8

There’s one concept that unites the geography and history curriculums more than any other: change . Whilst this is distinctly a geography lesson, it is important to highlight to children that much of what we see in the world is a result of processes of change over time: geography (both physical and human) is a product of history. This lesson helps children to notice changes that have occurred in their locality, and to understand why those changes have taken place, as well as to develop their fieldwork and mapping skills. 1 | CHANGE OVER TIME The NLS archive should turn up a number of maps – for my local area there are five maps from 1852, 1895, 1909, 1933 and 1944. Work out what it is the maps are telling you about how things have changed over time and pick a small number of key changes that you would really like the children to focus on. For example: • Where there were once just fields, a settlement has grown over time. • There are now more houses and roads and fewer green spaces. • There is now a school but the farm next to it has disappeared. • A neighbouring village grew too, and joined with our village so there is no longer a clear boundary. Introducing these maps to the children will be the first part of your lesson. Depending on your resources, you may choose to print out the maps you find or to allow children to use devices to carry out the search just as you did. Ensure children are clear as to which year each map was published, so they can look at them chronologically. Ask pupils, “What has changed in our local area over time?” They can either write out their answers in their books, or you can have a whole-class discussion. START HERE MAIN LESSON WHAT THEY’LL LEARN l How aspects of human and physical geography have changed over time l To use digital/ computer mapping to locate and describe changing features of the local area l To plan fieldwork to observe the changes in human and physical features in the local area Geography and history Because we are tackling some of the geography national curriculum’s objectives about the local area, you’ll have to begin with your own bit of research so that you can really make the most of this lesson plan. Visit each of these websites listed below, input your school’s location, and get familiar with the maps: • National Library of Scotland’s online map archive: maps.nls.uk • Open Street Map: openstreetmap.org • Historic England’s Aerial Archaeology Mapping Explorer: historiceng-land.maps.arcgis.com/home/index.html • Historic England’s Map Search: historicengland.org.uk/ listing/the-list/map-search Explore how your local area has changed over time using maps, digital tools and fieldwork with Aidan Severs KS2 LESSON PLAN aidansevers.com @aidansevers Discover your school’s place in history 92 | www.teachwire.net