📖

School Then and Now

Historical Thinking: Then and Now

Day 134of 180
Week 27of 36
25Minutes
← Day 133Day 134 of 180Day 135 →
🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Compare schools from the past to schools today

2

Understand how learning environments have changed

3

Appreciate the value of education

📖 Scripture Connection

Proverbs 1:7

“The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.”

— Proverbs 1:7 (WEB)

Understanding the importance of learning and wisdom across different times

📦 Materials Needed

  • Old photographs of one-room schoolhouses
  • Modern classroom pictures
  • Slate board or chalk
  • Modern writing tools
  • Large timeline paper
  • Colored markers
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather students in a circle and show pictures of old and new schools. Ask them what they notice is different.

💭 Review Question: What do you think school was like a long time ago?
2Teaching (10 min)

Discuss the differences between schools in the past and today. Explain how one-room schoolhouses worked, with students of different ages learning together.

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Students used slate boards instead of paper
  • One teacher taught all grades
  • Limited school supplies
  • Students often helped each other learn
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • What tools do you use in school today?
  • How is learning different now?
  • What do you enjoy most about your school?
3Activity: School Timeline Creation (7 min)
hands-on

Students create a timeline showing how schools have changed, using pictures and drawings.

📝 Instructions:
  1. Give each student a large piece of timeline paper
  2. Draw a line down the middle
  3. Left side: 'School in the Past'
  4. Right side: 'School Today'
  5. Draw or paste pictures showing differences
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Teacher helps students draw timeline

Challenge: Add more detailed historical details

4Closing (3 min)

Review what we learned about how schools have changed

📝 Review Questions:
  • What was different about schools long ago?
  • What do you appreciate about your school today?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for giving us the opportunity to learn and grow. Help us be grateful for our teachers and schools.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll talk about how some things stay the same throughout history

💎 Memory Verse

Proverbs 1:7

“The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.”

— Proverbs 1:7 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Create hand motions to remember each part of the verse

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Understanding historical changes helps children appreciate progress and development

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Encourage curiosity about the past
  • Help children make personal connections
  • Validate their observations and questions
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might find it hard to imagine life without modern technology

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Genuine interest in historical differences, empathy for past experiences

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Interview grandparents about their school experiences
  • Create a play acting out a day in a one-room schoolhouse
  • Draw a picture of what they think school might look like in the future

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 135 →Back to History & Social Studies