Compare Learning in the Past and Today
Lesson preview: the Mini Lesson and Vocabulary are open to everyone. Guided practice, exercises, the parent checklist and the printable PDF worksheet come with full access (free 7-day trial or membership).
What you will learn
- 1Compare how children learned in the past and how they learn today
- 2Sort facts about each into the correct group
Mini Lesson
What was school like for kids in the past, 150 years ago? Learning back then looked and worked very differently from the way you learn today!
School in the past (then)
- Most children went to a one-room schoolhouse — all grade levels learned together in a single room with one teacher.
- Students wrote on slate boards (small chalkboards) with chalk, because paper and pencils were expensive.
- Many children walked miles to school, often through snow and rain, because there were no school buses.
- Schools had no electricity, no computers, and very few books.
Learning today (present)
- Today, many children learn at home with a parent, and others learn in groups split by grade.
- Children today use computers and tablets to learn in new ways.
- Children ride a school bus or are driven to school — no long walks needed.
- Many schools have gyms and cafeterias, and children everywhere can borrow books from a library.
What stayed the same?
- Children still learn to read, write, and do math.
- Grown-ups still guide and encourage children every day.
Words to know
Past
A time that has already happened
e.g. In the past, kids wrote on slates.
Present
The time happening right now, today
e.g. In the present, many children learn with computers.
Compare
To look at two things to see how they are alike or different
e.g. This lesson compares learning in the past and today.
Change
When something becomes different over time
e.g. School supplies have changed a lot.
Same
Not different — alike
e.g. Some things stay the same, like learning to read.
Ask yourself: "What is one thing about learning that has changed? What is one thing that has stayed the same?"
Unlock the full HSEA system for 7 days.
Add your first kid profile and your 7 days start: every lesson in every grade, saved progress for each child. Nothing to set up, no card required, nothing to cancel.
- ✓ All 1,880 lessons, Grades 1–6, every subject
- ✓ Profiles + saved progress for every kid
- ✓ Printable lessons with answer key