Social Studies: Then and Now: How Schools and Homes Changed
Comparing schools and homes from long ago and today
Social Studies: Then and Now: How Schools and Homes Changed
Comparing schools and homes from long ago and today
Social Studies - Grade K-1
- 1
Look at a picture of a classroom from long ago and a classroom today. Name one thing that is the same in both classrooms.
Think about people or things you see in both rooms.
One thing that is the same is that students learn in both classrooms. Both classrooms may also have teachers, desks, and books. - 2
Circle the item students were more likely to use long ago: chalkboard or tablet.
Students were more likely to use a chalkboard long ago. Tablets are used in many schools today. - 3
Draw one thing you might see in a school today.
Think about your classroom or school.
A correct answer could show a computer, whiteboard, backpack, lunchbox, or classroom books. These are things students might see in a school today. - 4
Long ago, some children wrote on small slates. Today, many children write in notebooks or on paper. How did school writing tools change?
School writing tools changed from slates and chalk to notebooks, paper, pencils, and sometimes computers. - 5
Put a T for today or L for long ago: A classroom has a computer on the teacher's desk.
Computers are a newer school tool.
The answer is T for today. Computers are tools people use in many schools today. - 6
Name one thing homes have today that many homes long ago did not have.
One thing homes have today that many homes long ago did not have is electricity. Other correct answers include refrigerators, televisions, washing machines, or computers. - 7
Long ago, many people cooked on a wood stove. Today, many people cook on an electric or gas stove. What changed?
Think about what makes the stove hot.
The way people cook changed. Many people used wood stoves long ago, but many people use electric or gas stoves today. - 8
Circle the thing that belongs in a home today: icebox or refrigerator.
A refrigerator belongs in a home today. An icebox was used by some people long ago to keep food cold. - 9
In many homes long ago, families washed clothes by hand. Today, many families use a washing machine. How does a washing machine help people?
Think about what the machine does to dirty clothes.
A washing machine helps people wash clothes faster and with less hand work. - 10
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?
The home with a heater and vents shows a way people may heat homes today. Many homes today use heaters instead of only fireplaces. - 11
Tell one way a school bus today is different from how some children got to school long ago.
Think about wheels, engines, and how far children lived from school.
A school bus today can carry many children to school. Long ago, some children walked, rode horses, or rode in wagons. - 12
Put a T for today or L for long ago: Students write with quill pens and ink.
The answer is L for long ago. Quill pens and ink were used long ago before modern pencils and pens were common. - 13
Some schools long ago had one room for many grades. Today, many schools have many classrooms. What changed?
Think about how many rooms students learn in.
Schools changed from some one-room schools to many schools with separate classrooms for different grades or subjects. - 14
Name one thing families might do at home both long ago and today.
Families might eat meals together both long ago and today. They might also talk, sleep, play, read, or help with chores. - 15
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.
Some old things can still be used today, but choose the time they best fit.
Chalk slate is L for long ago. Laptop is T for today. Fireplace can be L for long ago, though some homes still have one today. Microwave is T for today.