Reading the Landscape: Buildings and Landmarks
Investigate the oldest or most interesting buildings and sites in our locality. Learn how to 'read' a building to understand its age, its purpose, and the stories it holds.
About This Topic
Investigate the oldest or most interesting buildings and sites in our locality. Learn how to 'read' a building to understand its age, its purpose, and the stories it holds.
Key Questions
- Identify a significant building or ruin in your locality.
- Explain the original purpose of this building and how it might have changed over time.
- Analyse the materials and style of the building to estimate its age.
Active Learning Ideas
See all activities→Activities & Teaching Strategies
See all activities
Planning templates for History
5E Model
The 5E Model structures lessons through five phases (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate), guiding students from curiosity to deep understanding through inquiry-based learning.
Unit PlannerThematic Unit
Organize a multi-week unit around a central theme or essential question that cuts across topics, texts, and disciplines, helping students see connections and build deeper understanding.
RubricSingle-Point Rubric
Build a single-point rubric that defines only the "meets standard" level, leaving space for teachers to document what exceeded and what fell short. Simple to create, easy for students to understand.
More in Local Studies
What's in a Name? Exploring Local Place Names
Discover the hidden stories behind the names of our streets, townlands, and local landmarks. Learn how Irish and English names can give us clues about the history and geography of our area.
8 methodologies
Generations of Change: My Locality Through Time
Travel back in time by looking at old maps and photographs of our area. See how much has changed and what has stayed the same in our streets, shops, and homes.
8 methodologies
Local Lives: People Who Shaped Our Community
Learn about the interesting people who lived in our locality in the past. Investigate famous individuals, local heroes, or groups of people who made our community what it is today.
8 methodologies
Work and Daily Life in the Past
Step into the shoes of someone living in our locality 100 years ago. Explore what jobs people did, what school was like, and how they spent their free time.
8 methodologies
Our Local Heritage: Events and Traditions
Uncover the big events and special traditions that are part of our local history. From fairs and festivals to significant historical moments, discover the events that have brought the community together.
8 methodologies