Architectural Wonders

Overview

Unit: Glasgow: Our City Story
Lesson: 4 of 5
Duration: 60 minutes
Class size: 31 students (for this plan, designed for 4 students)
Subject: History
Age group: 9-11 years (KS2 – Years 5/6)
Curriculum links:

• National Curriculum England: History – Pupils should be taught about changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age, a local history study, and significant historical buildings and environments.
• Curriculum for Excellence (Scotland): Social Studies – People, past events and societies; Understanding places and environments in Scotland, including historic environments.
• Northern Ireland Curriculum: Historical Enquiry – Investigation of local history and significant places.
• Wales Curriculum: History and Geography – Local history studies focusing on settlements and architecture.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, pupils will:

• Understand the significance of tenements and other iconic Glasgow architecture.
• Identify architectural features unique to Glasgow tenements.
• Develop digital literacy skills through virtual city tours on iPads.
• Collaborate effectively to create their own tenement designs using learned architectural elements.
• Communicate historical understanding through design presentations.

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Success Criteria

• Pupils can explain key features of Glasgow tenements and other notable buildings.
• Pupils take clear photos and notes during the virtual tour, demonstrating observation skills.
• Pupils work cooperatively in pairs to design a tenement incorporating authentic architectural details.
• Pupils confidently share their design and reasoning with the class.

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Resources

• iPads (1 per pair) with pre-installed virtual tour app or Google Earth pre-set on Glasgow landmarks.
• Worksheet for note-taking during virtual tour (structured prompts).
• Large drawing paper and coloured pencils/markers for sketching designs.
• Examples of Glasgow tenement features handout (photos with labels).
• Presentation ‘talking points’ prompt cards.

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Lesson Structure

Starter – Setting the Scene (10 minutes)

• Engagement Question: "What makes a city’s architecture special?" Conduct a brief discussion, noting key ideas on the board about local buildings the pupils know.
• Introduce the lesson title and learning objectives. Briefly recap previous lessons on Glasgow’s story to anchor context.
• Show 4-5 striking photos of tenements and other iconic buildings (e.g. Glasgow City Chambers, the Lighthouse).
• Hand out a quick facts sheet highlighting 3 unique features of Glasgow tenements (close proximity, sandstone construction, communal stairs known as “backs”).

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Main Activity 1 – Virtual City Tour (20 minutes)

• Pupils divide into pairs (for this class larger groups may be formed similarly).
• Using iPads, pupils explore a curated virtual walking tour of Glasgow city centre focusing on tenements and other historic buildings.
• Worksheet prompts guide pupils to:
  • Identify architectural details (e.g., bay windows, balconies, roof styles)
  • Take photos/screenshots of standout features.
  • Note any surprising or interesting facts from the virtual plaques/info points.
• Teacher circulates, prompting deeper observation, asking questions:
  • “What patterns do you notice in the buildings?”
  • “How do you think these buildings met the needs of people living in Glasgow at the time?”

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Main Activity 2 – Design Your Tenement (20 minutes)

• In pairs, pupils use large paper and drawing tools to design their own tenement building inspired by the virtual tour and their notes.
• Design requirements:
  • Must include at least 3 architectural features identified earlier.
  • Consider the functionality and community aspects of tenements.
• Teacher provides scaffolded template on design layout for those who need it.
• Encourage creativity while grounding designs in historical accuracy.
• Circulate to support both collaboration and historical understanding.

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Plenary – Presentation and Reflection (10 minutes)

• Each pair presents their tenement design to the class (approx. 2 mins each), explaining:
  • Which features they used and why.
  • What they learned about Glasgow’s buildings and people.
• Class provides positive, specific feedback using a ‘two stars and a wish’ structure.
• Teacher summarises key points and connects today’s architectural study to the next lesson on Glasgow’s cultural heritage.

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Assessment for Learning

• Observation of pupil engagement and contributions during discussion and virtual tour.
• Review of worksheets for note quality and understanding.
• Evaluation of pupils’ tenement designs for historical detail and creativity.
• Listening to presentations for clear communication of learned content.

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Differentiation and Inclusion

• Provide sentence starters and labelled vocabulary sheets for pupils who require language support.
• Pair more confident pupils with those needing encouragement for peer mentoring.
• Allow alternative recording methods for note-taking (typed notes or audio).
• Use visual prompts and hands-on drawing for kinaesthetic learners.

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Extension Opportunities

• Encourage pupils to research and sketch another iconic Glasgow building at home as homework.
• Challenge interested pupils to create a simple 3D model of their tenement using recyclable materials.
• Plan a follow-up field trip to Glasgow’s tenement areas for real-world exploration in lesson 5.

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Teacher Notes and Tips

• Prepare iPads prior to lesson with bookmarks for quick access to virtual tour content.
• Model how to take informative, succinct notes during virtual tours.
• Manage transition times carefully to maximise activity time.
• Use paired presentations to build confidence, especially for less confident speakers.
• Connect architectural elements with social history — highlight how architecture met the needs of working-class Glaswegians during industrialisation.

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This lesson plan combines history, geography, design technology, and digital skills in a seamless manner, fostering active learning tailored to the UK curriculum’s emphasis on enquiry, local history, and cross-curricular skills development. It’s designed to build curiosity, collaboration and confidence in young historians exploring their city’s rich architectural heritage.