Compare daily life long ago and today by looking at homes, schools, transportation, communication, chores, and community life.
Read each problem carefully. Think about what life was like long ago and what life is like today. Write complete answers in the space provided.
How daily life, tools, and communities have changed over time
Social Studies - Grade 2-3
- 1
Long ago, many families cooked food over a wood stove or fireplace. Today, many families use an electric or gas stove. Write one way cooking long ago was different from cooking today.
- 2
Circle the item that people long ago were more likely to use for transportation: horse and wagon, airplane, subway train. Explain your choice.
- 3
Today, many people send messages by text, email, or phone. Long ago, people often wrote letters. Tell one advantage of sending a message today.
- 4
Look at a classroom long ago and a classroom today. Name one thing that might be the same in both classrooms.
- 5
Long ago, some children walked to a one-room schoolhouse. Today, many children ride a bus or car to school. Write one way going to school has changed.
- 6
Choose whether this sentence describes life long ago or life today: Many homes have refrigerators to keep food cold. Explain your answer.
- 7
Long ago, families often made some of their own clothing or repaired clothes by hand. Today, many people buy clothing in stores or online. What is one difference between clothing long ago and today?
- 8
Study the picture of two homes, one from long ago and one from today. Write two differences you notice.
- 9
Long ago, many people got water from a well, pump, or nearby stream. Today, many homes have faucets. Why is getting water often easier today?
- 10
Write one chore that children long ago might have done and one chore children today might do.
- 11
Look at the picture of lighting long ago and lighting today. Explain how lighting has changed.
- 12
Long ago, news often traveled by newspapers, letters, or word of mouth. Today, news can travel by television, radio, websites, and apps. What is one way news is different today?
- 13
Some games from long ago, such as tag, jump rope, marbles, and board games, are still played today. What does this show about life long ago and today?
- 14
Sort these items into two groups: long ago or today. Items: candle, smartphone, horse and wagon, computer, wood stove, electric refrigerator.
- 15
Imagine you could interview a grandparent or older adult about life when they were young. Write two questions you could ask to learn how life was different from today.