Social Studies: Then and Now: How Schools and Homes Changed

Look at a picture of a classroom from long ago and a classroom today. Name one thing that is the same in both classrooms.

Circle the item students were more likely to use long ago: chalkboard or tablet.

Draw one thing you might see in a school today.

Long ago, some children wrote on small slates. Today, many children write in notebooks or on paper. How did school writing tools change?

Put a T for today or L for long ago: A classroom has a computer on the teacher's desk.

Name one thing homes have today that many homes long ago did not have.

Long ago, many people cooked on a wood stove. Today, many people cook on an electric or gas stove. What changed?

Circle the thing that belongs in a home today: icebox or refrigerator.

In many homes long ago, families washed clothes by hand. Today, many families use a washing machine. How does a washing machine help people?

Look at the two homes. One has a fireplace for heat, and one has a heater with vents. Which home shows a way people may heat homes today?

Tell one way a school bus today is different from how some children got to school long ago.

Put a T for today or L for long ago: Students write with quill pens and ink.

Some schools long ago had one room for many grades. Today, many schools have many classrooms. What changed?

Name one thing families might do at home both long ago and today.

Draw a line to match each word to the time it fits best: chalk slate, laptop, fireplace, microwave. Write L for long ago or T for today next to each word.