English Language Arts Grade 1
Reading: Literature Standard 2
Students will use the teacher created exploration tub, charts and cards to understand the concept of "Then and Now."
This lesson works great as part of a Balanced Literacy approach to integration. The book portion of this activity is designed to be used as a read aloud or a guided reading lesson. The exploration tub portion of this activity works great as a learning center following the shared reading activity.
Prior to teaching this lesson, you need to collect the materials for your exploration tub. Examples of then and now items for you tub could be: tomato seed and tomato, baby picture and picture of a child, picture of horse and buggy and picture of a car, tadpole and frog, chalk and white board marker, etc.
Intended Learning Outcomes:
5. Understand and use basic concepts and skills.
Process Skills
Segmentation and blending
Invitation to Learn
"It is hard to believe it now, but once you were a baby. Now you are a
first grader who is learning and doing many things on your own. How have you
changed from that baby to how you are now? What things did you do then? What
things can you do now? Has your family changed? Has your house changed? What
else has changed?"
Instructional Procedures
Possible Extensions/ Adaptations
Focusing on the then and now concept, students could notice how families change
over time (Standard II, Objective 1, Indicator c) Students could also focus
on names and features of animals as babies and adults (i.e. chick to chicken,
tadpole to frog, kid to goat).
Family Connections
Using the age of the first grader as a time frame (6 or 7 years ago as "then"),
have students complete a "Then and Now" chart for each member of
their family. Students could interview a grandparent or elder member of their
community. Ask them what school was like when they were your age. What was their
favorite thing to do at recess. How did they get to school. What did they eat for lunch and where? Ask any other appropriate
questions. Have children write a short report telling about each interview.
Observe children as they complete the exploration tub. You will also be able to assess students on how they sorted the “Then and Now” cards.