Activity 01
Map Detectives
In pairs, pupils compare a historical Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSI) map of their area with a current digital map. They use a worksheet to identify and circle key differences, such as new housing estates, roads, or the disappearance of old buildings.
Compare an old map of our local area with a modern one.
Facilitation TipProvide a magnifying glass to help pupils examine the fine details on the old maps.
What to look forTeacher observation during pair work, listening for pupils' ability to identify changes and use map-related vocabulary in their discussions.
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Activity 02
Then and Now Photo Tour
Using archived photos of local landmarks, pupils work in small groups to find the same locations on Google Street View or by taking new photos. They then present two to three key changes they observed between the old and new images.
Identify three significant changes you can see between the maps.
Facilitation TipSource photos from the local library's digital archive or a local historical society's Facebook page.
What to look forPupils create a 'Then and Now' poster or a short digital presentation. They must show a location on an old map and a new map, list three changes, and write a paragraph explaining why they think those changes happened.
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Activity 03
Living History Interview
Pupils prepare a short list of questions and interview an older family or community member about the changes they have seen in the local area. This brings a personal, oral history element to their map-based research.
Explain why you think these changes happened over time.
Facilitation TipModel a respectful interview process in class first, focusing on open-ended questions.
What to look forPupils use a 'Two Stars and a Wish' reflection sheet to identify two things they did well in their investigation and one thing they would like to find out more about.
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Generate Complete Lesson→A few notes on teaching this unit
Begin by exploring a familiar modern map of the area to build confidence. When introducing the historical map, model a 'think-aloud' process to demonstrate how to look for clues. Use guiding questions like, 'What's missing from this old map that we see today?' or 'What's on this old map that is gone now?' to structure their investigation.
By the end of this topic, your pupils will be able to confidently compare old and new maps, identify key changes in their locality, and explain the reasons behind their area's transformation over time.
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Old maps are just wrong or badly drawn.
Old maps were accurate for their time. They are a snapshot of what the area looked like in the past. The differences we see are because the place itself has changed, not because the map-maker made a mistake.
Nothing important ever happened in our town/village.
Every place has a history. The story of a new road, a closed-down factory, or fields turning into houses are all important parts of our local history that tell us how our community has grown and changed.
The past is completely gone and has no effect on today.
The past is all around us. The layout of our streets, the names of places, and the old buildings we still see are all echoes of the past that shape how we live today.
Methods used in this brief