Then & Now: Toys & Games
Children compare toys and games from the past to the things they use today.
Key Questions
- Compare toys from long ago with toys we play with today.
- Explain how toys have changed over time.
- Predict how toys might change in the future.
Common Core State Standards
About This Topic
How I Have Grown introduces the concept of 'history' through the lens of the student's own life. By comparing who they were as babies to who they are now, students learn about change over time and the development of new skills. This topic aligns with C3 Framework standards for History, focusing on chronological thinking and personal change.
Students use primary sources, such as baby photos or old clothes, to observe their own growth. They also look forward to the future, imagining what they will be able to do as they get older. This topic comes alive when students can physically compare 'then and now' objects and share their personal milestones with their peers through structured storytelling.
Active Learning Ideas
Gallery Walk: Then and Now Photos
Students bring in a baby photo and a current photo (or drawings). These are displayed in pairs, and students walk around to identify three things that changed (e.g., hair, height, teeth) and one thing that stayed the same (e.g., eye color).
Inquiry Circle: The Skills Timeline
On a long piece of paper, the class helps place pictures of skills in order: crawling, walking, riding a tricycle, writing their name. Students then stand next to the 'newest' skill they have learned this year.
Think-Pair-Share: My Next Big Step
Students talk with a partner about one thing they *can't* do yet but want to learn next year (like riding a big bike or reading a long book). They discuss what they need to do to 'get ready' for that new skill.
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Common MisconceptionStudents often think they were 'always' the way they are now, struggling to remember being a baby.
What to Teach Instead
Use physical 'artifacts' like a baby shoe or a diaper to show how small they once were. Active comparison of their current handprint to a baby's handprint provides undeniable physical evidence of change.
Common MisconceptionChildren may believe that growing up only means getting taller.
What to Teach Instead
Broaden the definition of growth to include 'learning' and 'feelings.' Use a collaborative brainstorming session to list 'brain growth' (things I know) versus 'body growth' (things I can do) to show a fuller picture of development.
Suggested Methodologies
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Frequently Asked Questions
How can I include students who may not have access to baby photos?
What is the best way to teach 'chronological order' to Kindergarteners?
How can active learning help students understand personal growth?
How does this topic connect to US history?
Planning templates for Self & Community
5E Model
The 5E Model structures lessons through five phases (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate), guiding students from curiosity to deep understanding through inquiry-based learning.
unit plannerThematic Unit
Organize a multi-week unit around a central theme or essential question that cuts across topics, texts, and disciplines, helping students see connections and build deeper understanding.
rubricSingle-Point Rubric
Build a single-point rubric that defines only the "meets standard" level, leaving space for teachers to document what exceeded and what fell short. Simple to create, easy for students to understand.
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