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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can use past and current sources of evidence to identify how I could investigate change in the locality.

      Key learning points

      1. Geographical enquiry develops existing geographical knowledge by examining evidence and gathering data in the field.
      2. Previous studies of the local area are sources of evidence but can date quickly.
      3. Evidence for local area change can be found in historical maps and current OS maps, which are refreshed annually.
      4. Evidence for recent change or local issues can also be found in the news, from talking to people and through fieldwork.

      Keywords

      • Enquiry - An enquiry is an investigation of a geographical question or issue.

      • Historical maps - Historical maps show what an area was like in the past.

      • OS Maps - OS maps are the official maps of Great Britain produced by the Ordnance Survey.

      • Media - The media comprises all the ways that lots of people receive their information, including television, radio, newspapers and the internet.

      Common misconception

      Children need to understand that evidence can become dated - especially mapping and media evidence.

      You could present some media reports of an issue which has been resolved (e.g. a new road crossing).

      Teacher tip

      If children have not previously studied their local area you may wish to spend some time introducing them to its main features. To ensure children have a selection of evidence you may want to select a range of media resources prior to the lesson.

      Equipment

      OS maps of the local area, hisotrical and current. Media reports of local area issues.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which of these are land use types?

      Correct answer: residential
      Correct answer: agricultural
      erosion
      Correct answer: commercial

      Q2.
      What would you expect to find in an area of residential land use?

      Correct Answer: houses, homes

      Q3.
      Which of these would you expect to find in an area of commercial land use?

      Correct answer: shops
      houses
      farms

      Q4.
      What is the main type of land use across the UK?

      residential
      commercial
      Correct answer: agricultural

      Q5.
      Order these settlements by size starting with the smallest.

      1 - village
      2 - town
      3 - city
      4 - megacity

      Q6.
      Which settlement usually has the most services and facilities?

      hamlet
      Correct answer: city
      village
      town

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What is an opinion?

      Correct answer: An opinion is a personal view or judgement formed about something.
      An opinion is a proven fact that everyone agrees on.
      An opinion is a question that a geographer tries to answer.

      Q2.
      What does OS stand for in Geography?

      Open Source
      Operating System
      Correct answer: Ordnance Survey

      Q3.
      What is an enquiry?

      Correct answer: An investigation into a geographical question or issue.
      A question that a geographer asks without any research
      A physical feature in geography.

      Q4.
      Which type of maps show what an area was like in the past?

      OS maps
      Correct answer: historical maps
      aerial maps

      Q5.
      What evidence might help you to decide which enquiry issue to investigate?

      Correct Answer: maps, news stories, media , fieldwork, opinions of local people

      Q6.
      Why do geographers create enquiry questions?

      because they are required to ask questions
      Correct answer: to structure their fieldwork and collect relevant data
      Correct answer: to guide their research and investigation
      Correct answer: to focus on specific human or physical features they want to understand better

      To help you plan your 4 geography lesson on: Change in a local area, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...