Previous Lesson
PDF

Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to understand how things were in the past compared to how they are now.

Materials and Prep

  • Pen and paper
  • Images of old and modern items (e.g., telephone, computer, transportation)
  • Basic knowledge of how to draw or access to coloring materials

No prior knowledge required, just bring your curiosity!

Activities

  • Draw or color pictures of how you think things looked in the past and how they look now.
  • Look at the images of old and modern items and discuss the differences with your parent.
  • Interview a grandparent or older relative about what things were like when they were your age.

Talking Points

  • Long ago, people didn't have smartphones. They used telephones with cords. You might say, "Imagine having to stay in one place to talk on the phone!"
  • In the past, computers were huge and didn't have screens like we do now. You could mention, "Can you imagine a computer that takes up a whole room?"
  • Transportation used to be horses and carriages instead of cars. You could say, "It must have been fun to ride in a horse-drawn carriage!"
  • People used to write letters by hand and send them through mail instead of emails. You might say, "Waiting for a letter must have been so exciting!"
  • TVs used to be big and bulky, not flat like they are now. You could mention, "Imagine having a TV that takes up a whole corner of the room!"

Ask a question about this lesson

Loading...

Related Lesson Plans

Learn Action Verbs for Kids: Fun Calisthenics & Writing Activity

Make learning action verbs fun and active for kids! This easy lesson uses simple calisthenics moves like jump, stretch, ...

A Day in Georgian England: What Was It Like to Live Then?

A fun and interactive lesson for homeschool students to explore daily life during the Georgian Period (1714-1830). Stude...

Explore Autumn History: Fun Harvest Activities for Kids (Then & Now)

Take kids on an autumn history adventure! This lesson explores harvest long ago, why it mattered, and how people celebra...

DIY Time Machine: A Fun 'Then and Now' History Lesson for Kids

Bring history to life for preschoolers and early elementary students with this engaging 'Then and Now' lesson plan. This...

Greek Mythology Lesson Plan: Parthenon Project & Monster Wanted Poster

Bring Ancient Greece to life with this hands-on lesson plan for 4th and 5th graders. Students dive into Greek mythology ...

UK: Then & Now - A Time-Traveling Vlogger's Guide

A project-based lesson where the student acts as a 'time-traveling vlogger' to research, compare, and creatively present...