Social Studies: Past vs Present
Comparing how life has changed over time
Social Studies: Past vs Present
Comparing how life has changed over time
Social Studies - Grade 2-3
- 1
In the past, many people wrote letters to send messages. Today, many people use phones or computers. Explain one way communication is different now.
Think about how long it takes to send a letter compared with a text or email.
Communication is different now because people can send messages much faster with phones or computers than by mailing letters. - 2
Long ago, many students used chalkboards and slate boards at school. Today, students may use whiteboards, tablets, or computers. Tell one way school tools have changed.
School tools have changed because students today often use tablets, computers, or whiteboards instead of chalkboards and slate boards. - 3
In the past, many families traveled by horse and wagon. Today, many families travel by car, bus, train, or airplane. Name one way transportation is different now.
Think about speed and distance.
Transportation is different now because people can travel faster and farther by car, train, or airplane than by horse and wagon. - 4
Many homes in the past were heated with fireplaces or wood stoves. Today, many homes use heaters or central heating. Explain one difference between homes in the past and homes today.
One difference is that many homes today use heaters or central heating, while homes in the past often used fireplaces or wood stoves for warmth. - 5
Years ago, children often played with simple handmade toys. Today, children may also play with electronic games. Compare toys from the past and the present.
Think about what toys are made of and how they work.
Toys from the present can include electronic games, while toys from the past were often simple and handmade. - 6
In the past, many people washed clothes by hand. Today, many people use washing machines. Tell how doing chores has changed.
Doing chores has changed because washing clothes is easier and faster with washing machines than washing them by hand. - 7
Long ago, people often got news from town criers, newspapers, or word of mouth. Today, people can get news from television, phones, and computers. Explain one change in how people learn the news.
Think about where people hear or read news.
People learn the news differently today because they can get information quickly from television, phones, and computers instead of waiting for newspapers or hearing it from others. - 8
Many classrooms in the past had rows of desks and fewer supplies. Today, classrooms may have books, art tools, computers, and learning centers. Describe one way classrooms today may be different.
Classrooms today may be different because they often have more supplies and technology, such as computers and learning centers. - 9
In the past, people often took black-and-white photographs with film cameras. Today, many people take color photos with digital cameras or phones. Compare taking pictures in the past and the present.
Think about cameras and how quickly you can see the picture.
Taking pictures is different today because many people use digital cameras or phones and can see color photos right away, while people in the past often used film cameras. - 10
Long ago, many people shopped at small local stores or made things at home. Today, people may shop at large stores or online. Explain one difference in shopping.
One difference in shopping is that people today can buy things at large stores or online, while people in the past often used small local stores or made items at home. - 11
In the past, many people read information from books, maps, and paper encyclopedias. Today, people can also search for information on computers. Tell one way finding information has changed.
Think about where you look for facts.
Finding information has changed because people can now search on computers quickly instead of only using books, maps, and paper encyclopedias. - 12
Many people in the past used candles or oil lamps for light at night. Today, people use electric lights. Compare how people light their homes.
People light their homes differently today because they use electric lights instead of candles or oil lamps. - 13
Long ago, many people grew more of their own food at home or on farms. Today, many families buy food from grocery stores. Explain one change in how people get food.
Think about gardens, farms, and stores.
One change is that many families today buy food from grocery stores, while more people in the past grew their own food at home or on farms. - 14
In the past, people often listened to music on records or radios. Today, people can also listen on phones, computers, or streaming devices. Describe one difference in how people listen to music.
People listen to music differently today because they can use phones, computers, or streaming devices instead of only records or radios. - 15
Write two sentences. In the first sentence, tell one thing that was common in the past. In the second sentence, tell the modern version used today.
Use a pair like letters and email, horse and car, or candles and electric lights.
Answers will vary. A correct response gives one example from the past and a matching example from the present, such as: In the past, people wrote letters. Today, many people send emails or text messages.