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Year 3 - Geography

Change in our local area

Settlements: where do people live and why?

Unit Summary

This unit explores different types of settlements, from villages to cities. Pupils learn about settlement features, growth and location, and use their local area to understand how places change. They apply what they've learned by designing a new settlement.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to use old Ordnance Survey maps and photographs to identify some changes in your local area.

Key Notes

  • All settlements change and develop over time, with new roads, railway lines, homes and other buildings being developed.
  • Comparing old and modern photographs and maps of local streets and buildings reveal how they have changed.
  • Geographers annotate maps and photographs to add information.
  • Geographers make maps to show how some features of places have changed while other features have not changed.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • change: Change is when something becomes different to how it was.
  • development: Development is when something changes, usually an improvement.
  • comparison: A comparison is the identification of similarities or differences between two or more things.
  • annotate: To annotate is to add text or notes that provide additional information on a map or image.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Some children might assume any photograph in black and white is from a very long time ago.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this geography topic using two clear key points.

All settlements change and develop over time, with new roads, railway lines, homes and other buildings being developed. Comparing old and modern photographs and maps of local streets and buildings reveal how they have changed.

2. Define this geography term and use it in an example. 'change'

Change is when something becomes different to how it was.

3. Correct this common geography misunderstanding.

Mistake: Some children might assume any photograph in black and white is from a very long time ago. Correction: Show children a black and white photo of their local settlement today.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 3 Geography guide library.