Kindergarten History Lessons? We’ve Got Those Too!

Life, communications, transportation, and work have changed over the years. This resource will present your students with a sorting activity for them to consider how items in these areas have changed throughout history. 

In this hands-on sorting activity, students will discover 18 images of items from the past, present, and future, each one offering students an opportunity to discuss and sort those items into three categories (then, now, in the future).

To play, students will identify each picture card, determine if the picture is from the past, present, or future, and sort accordingly. 

Through this activity, students will be able to understand and discuss how life, transportation, and communication have changed over time.

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding 

A team of dedicated, experienced educators created this resource to support your Kindergarten Social Studies lessons. 

If you have a mixture of above and below-level learners, check out these suggestions for keeping students on track with the concepts: 

🆘 Support Struggling Students

• Help struggling readers or learners with limited English by discussing the objects seen on each card prior to sorting.
• Provide learners with books or other resources to look at for reference.

➕ Challenge Fast Finishers

• Challenge your fast finishers to continue their learning by reading, drawing, or writing about how things have changed over the years.

🧑‍🏫 Group Lesson (or Other Activity)

• Complete the sort as a whole group by using a document camera or projector. This will encourage whole-class discussion and vocabulary development.

Plan lessons for all ability levels with our 10 Best Scaffolding Strategies! 

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the Blackline or Color PDF

Print on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access. 

This resource was created by Lindsey Phillips, a teacher in Michigan and Teach Starter Collaborator. 

Don’t stop there! We’ve got more social studies activities for kindergarten!

teaching resource Past and Present Communication Board Game A fun and engaging board game to reinforce students' understanding of past and present communication devices. teaching resource Communication Then and Now - Worksheet A worksheet for students to illustrate how communication methods and devices have changed over time. teaching resource Describing Toys Past and Present - Worksheet A worksheet for students to describe the features of past and present toys.