This Year 4 geography unit introduces pupils to settlements and land use through map work, fieldwork and geographical enquiry. Pupils explore how people use land in different ways and investigate how places change over time.
Across six lessons, pupils develop map skills in KS2, including the use of four-figure grid references, while identifying land-use patterns and comparing different settlement types. The unit also encourages pupils to think critically about how land can be used more sustainably in the future.
Recognised as Highly Commended by the Geographical Association, this unit includes ready-to-teach lesson plans, teaching slides, differentiated geography activities and assessment opportunities to support progression across Upper KS2 geography.
Explore the full Year 4 geography curriculum
See how this settlements and land use block fits within our wider Year 4 geography progression.
This Year 4 geography block develops pupils’ understanding of settlements, land use and human geography through fieldwork, mapping and geographical enquiry. Pupils investigate how land is organised and explore the ways people shape, use and change environments over time.
Throughout the unit, pupils examine different settlement types, identify patterns in land use and develop confidence using four-figure grid references. The lessons encourage pupils to think critically about how places develop and how land can be used more sustainably in the future.
This block forms part of our Year 4 geography curriculum within the KS2 geography scheme. It strengthens pupils’ understanding of human geography and supports progression into later KS2 topics linked to sustainability, development and environmental decision-making.
The lessons are designed to work flexibly within different curriculum structures and typically fit within a 45-60 minute geography lesson. Many schools teach geography through blocked units across half terms, while others use shorter weekly geography sessions across the term.
Recognised as Highly Commended by the Geographical Association, our Glorious Geography scheme supports progression from EYFS geography through to KS2 geography, including mixed-age geography planning.
