History at key stages 1 and 2 (Year 3/4)

Unit 18: What was it like to live here in the past?
Section 2: How can we use maps to explore how our area has changed?

Objectives

Children should learn:

that the area has changed at different times in the past
to sequence maps in chronological order
to use maps to help describe some of the characteristic features of the past

Activities

Outcomes

Children:

Divide the children into small groups and give each group copies of two maps of the same area - one from the present and one from a chosen period in the past. Ask the children to look for and record changes by comparing details shown on the maps, such as roads, railways, housing, open spaces and amenities.

Use OHT acetates on top of the maps of the locality in the past to record roads and the use and range of buildings. Compare this OHT with one from the present. What buildings have appeared or disappeared? How has the type of building changed over the period?

Help the children to build up a 'picture' of the past: choose the same two points for children to 'walk' between on each map, and ask them to describe what can be seen, heard or even smelt today. Ask them to describe what might have been seen, heard, smelt on the same 'walk' at different times in the past.

record changes shown on maps in table form
contribute to making a visual time line
produce a description of the area that contains appropriate historical detail

Points to note

The teacher could help the children use maps from different periods by selecting reference points (such as a river, church or school) to look for on all the maps.

Have a selection of reference materials relating to the period available.

Sections in this unit

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This unit is divided into sections. Each section contains a sequence of activities with related objectives and outcomes. You can view this unit by moving through the sections or print/download the whole unit.


	1. What is our area like today?
	2. How can we use maps to explore how our area has changed?
	3. What can local buildings or sites tell us about the past?
	4. What do pictures and photographs tell us about past life in our area?
	5. Which written sources can we use?
	6. How can oral sources help us to find out about how people lived?
	7. What was it like to live in our area in the past?