year 3 planning settlements and landuse Enquiry question: What is the land like in the UK?

Enquiry question: What is the land like in the United Kingdom and how do we use it?

Unit context
This unit takes the pupils on a journey to understanding the physical landscape and surrounding seas and ocean of the UK. In preparation for beginning this unit and to excite pupils about the content, activities from the Discovery Box can be sent home. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland incorporates the countries of Great Britain—England, Scotland and Wales—and Northern Ireland. Lesson 1 explores the mountains and hills in the United Kingdom, identifying the key difference between them and giving pupils the opportunity to use a relief map to observe the types of land in the UK and where they might find mountains and hills. Lesson 2 explores the seas and coasts surrounding the UK and how coastlines in the UK have changed over time. In Lesson 3, pupils learn about what rivers are and follow their journey from source to mouth. Pupils investigate rivers in the United Kingdom and there is an opportunity for fieldwork on a local river.
In Lesson 4, pupils learn about the different types of settlement and where and why people have chosen to settle in certain locations. Schools should weave fieldwork through this unit specific to their own immediate or distant locality. Fieldwork should include looking at and reading OS maps. Pupils should also see maps of types of settlement and be given the opportunity to investigate different areas and settlements of the UK using digital mapping tools. Understanding this unit will allow pupils to understand the settlements of people in both the past and present within a range of future geography and history units.
In Lesson 5, pupils find out about the different counties of the UK and begin to look at how different types of land are used. The final lesson shows pupils how land is used in the UK with regards to countryside and built-up land. Pupils will learn about how people choose to live in these areas because of the way the land is used.
Further to the standard lesson resources, additional resources are provided including case studies, a Knowledge organiser, posters and a Discovery box containing fantastic cross-curricular activities.