Past and Present Lesson Plan for Kids: A Hands-On Time Travel Adventure

Engage preschoolers and kindergarteners with this creative social studies lesson on comparing the past and present. This hands-on activity uses a DIY cardboard time machine and an object sorting game to teach children about how things change over time. The lesson plan includes learning objectives, a materials list, and a fun invention activity to boost critical thinking and creativity.

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Lesson Plan: Jenelle's Time Travel Adventure!

Materials Needed:

  • A cardboard box big enough for a child to sit in (the "Time Machine")
  • Markers, crayons, or stickers to decorate the Time Machine
  • A collection of "Long Ago" items or pictures (examples: a rotary phone or picture of one, an old-fashioned egg beater, a vinyl record, a black-and-white family photo, a washboard)
  • A collection of "Today" items (examples: a smartphone, an electric mixer, a digital music player or speaker, a recent color photo, a sponge)
  • Two baskets or hoops labeled "Long Ago" and "Today"
  • Drawing paper, crayons, and markers
  • Optional: Play-Doh, building blocks, or recycled craft materials (cardboard tubes, plastic bottles)

Subject

Social Studies / History

Topic

Comparing Products from the Past and Present

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, Jenelle will be able to:

  • Verbally distinguish between items used "long ago" and items used "today."
  • Sort at least 4-6 objects or pictures into the correct "past" or "present" category.
  • Create an original drawing or model of a "new and improved" version of an old object, explaining its new features.

Alignment with Standards

This lesson aligns with early childhood learning standards related to History and Social Science, specifically helping a child to:

  • Understand the concept of change over time.
  • Compare and contrast objects and ways of life from the past and present.
  • Develop critical thinking skills by imagining future innovations.

Lesson Procedure

Part 1: The Time Machine (10 minutes) - Engagement and Motivation

  1. Introduce the Mission: "Jenelle, today you are a time traveler! Your mission is to explore the past and bring back knowledge about the things people used a long, long time ago. First, every good time traveler needs a time machine."
  2. Build the Time Machine: Present the cardboard box. Spend a few minutes decorating it together with markers and crayons. Make it fun with imaginary buttons, levers, and a "time-setting dial."
  3. Take a Trip to the Past: Have Jenelle climb into her time machine. Make fun sound effects ("Vwoorp! Vwoorp! Beep! Boop!") as you pretend to travel back in time. Announce, "We have landed in the world of 'Long Ago'!"

Part 2: The Treasure Sort (15 minutes) - Instructional Strategy & Assessment

  1. Discover the "Treasures": Present the collection of "Long Ago" and "Today" items or pictures. Say, "Look at all the treasures we found in the past and brought back with us from today! But they are all mixed up."
  2. Set Up the Sorting Game: Place the two labeled baskets ("Long Ago" and "Today") on the floor.
  3. Model the Sort: Pick up one object, like the rotary phone. Say, "Hmm, this is a phone. Does it look like the phone we use today? No, this is from long ago. I'll put it in the 'Long Ago' basket." Then pick up the smartphone. "This phone looks very new! It goes in the 'Today' basket."
  4. Jenelle's Turn: Encourage Jenelle to pick up one item at a time. Ask guiding questions like, "What do you think people used this for?" or "Have you seen one of these in our house before?" Let her place each item in the basket she thinks is correct. This is a great time to formatively assess her understanding by observing her choices and listening to her reasoning.

Part 3: The Invention Station (15 minutes) - Creativity and Application

  1. The Challenge: Say, "You are such a great time traveler and historian! Now, you get to be an inventor. Let's pick one of the 'Long Ago' items." (Let her choose one, for example, the old-fashioned egg beater).
  2. Brainstorm: Ask, "This tool worked, but how could we make it better? Could we make it faster? Easier to use? What if it didn't make your arm tired?"
  3. Create!: Set out the paper, crayons, markers, and optional craft supplies. Say, "Your job is to invent a modern, super-powered version of this! Draw a picture of your new invention and tell me all about it." Encourage her to be as creative as possible. Does it have buttons? Does it fly? Does it add sprinkles automatically?

Part 4: Show and Tell (5 minutes) - Closure & Assessment

  1. Present the Invention: Ask Jenelle to present her invention. Let her explain what it's called, what it does, and why it's better than the "long ago" version. This is the final assessment of her ability to apply the concept.
  2. Wrap-Up: Praise her wonderful creativity and hard work as a time traveler and inventor. Conclude by saying, "It's so amazing to see how things have changed over time, from the things we used long ago to the things we use today, and the amazing new things we can invent for the future!"

Differentiation and Inclusivity

  • For Extra Support: Use fewer, more distinct objects for the sorting game (e.g., a candle vs. a lightbulb, a horse-and-buggy picture vs. a toy car). Focus more on the drawing and verbal explanation rather than complex building.
  • For an Extra Challenge: Ask "why" questions during the sorting game ("Why do you think phones changed?"). For the invention, encourage her to build a 3D model using the Play-Doh or recycled craft materials instead of just drawing. You could even ask her to invent a "long ago" version of a modern object (e.g., "What would a computer look like in the past?").