Year 4 - Geography
Using digital maps to explore changes in our local area
Local area: what needs changing?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit develops pupils' fieldwork and enquiry skills through a local investigation into change. Pupils use maps, tools and data to explore how their area is changing, collect and present information, and reflect on possible changes in the future.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to use digital maps in a geographic information system (GIS) to see how your local area has changed over time.
Key Notes
- A geographic information system (GIS) is a type of digital map that helps us see and understand geographical patterns.
- We can use a GIS to investigate our local area.
- We can use a GIS to investigate changes in our local area over time.
- Most villages, town and cities have grown in the last 120 years.
Vocabulary To Learn
- aerial image: a photograph taken from above using a satellite, aeroplane or drone
- geographic information system: a GIS contains digital maps that allow us to investigate geographical patterns
- digital map: a map that can be used on a computer, tablet or smartphone
- basemap: a background map in a GIS
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- All roads in the UK were built for cars to travel on them.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this geography topic using two clear key points.
A geographic information system (GIS) is a type of digital map that helps us see and understand geographical patterns. We can use a GIS to investigate our local area.
2. Define this geography term and use it in an example. 'aerial image'
a photograph taken from above using a satellite, aeroplane or drone.
3. Correct this common geography misunderstanding.
Mistake: All roads in the UK were built for cars to travel on them. Correction: Many of our roads were built before cars were invented. They were originally built for people walking, horses, and carts. Cars came much later, and the roads were changed over time so cars could use them safely.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 4 Geography guide library.