Objective
By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to understand the concept of "Now and then" in geography, and compare how things have changed over time.
Materials and Prep
- Paper
- Pencils
- Colored markers or crayons
No additional knowledge is required for this lesson.
Activities
- Draw and Label: Have the student draw two separate pictures, one depicting a scene from the past and another depicting the same scene in the present. Encourage them to include details that show the differences between the two time periods.
- Interview a Family Member: Ask the student to interview an older family member (grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc.) about their childhood experiences. Have them prepare a list of questions beforehand, focusing on how things were different when the family member was their age.
- Compare and Contrast: Provide the student with a list of objects or places (e.g., school, transportation, communication). Ask them to create a Venn diagram or a T-chart to compare and contrast how these things were in the past and how they are now.
- Time Capsule: Instruct the student to create a time capsule by gathering a few small items that represent their present-day life. Encourage them to write a letter to their future self explaining why they chose those items and what they think might change in the future.
Talking Points
- "Now and then means looking at how things were in the past and how they are now."
- "We can learn about the past by talking to older people and looking at old pictures."
- "Things like schools, transportation, and communication have changed a lot over time."
- "Drawing pictures helps us compare the past and the present. We can see the differences."
- "Interviewing a family member can give us a personal perspective on how things were different when they were young."
- "Comparing and contrasting helps us understand how things have changed over time."
- "A time capsule is like a special box that we fill with things from today. We can open it in the future to see how things have changed."