Students in first grade are engrossed in a social studies unit on timelines. To begin our learning, students thought about the past, present, and future. We discussed these terms and thought about our own past, present, and future. We then looked at old artifacts (human-made objects) to determine what they were used for. Students asked, how have things changed and how have they stayed the same? 

We are also building a timeline of the past 100 years, marking the years when popular toys were invented. Fun fact: did you know that Play-Doh was originally used as a cleaning material? 

Most recently, first graders became historians by deciding on a topic of interest (working, farming, communication, etc.) and researching how their topic has changed over time. Students used the website Pebble Go by Capstone to complete their research. Then, the first graders became the teachers by creating posters and sharing what they learned. This important unit helps students organize information in a chronological sequence so they can better understand change, growth, and the passage of time. When we are able to understand the past, we are better able to understand the present, and future. 

We look forward to continuing to help our students understand the passage and measurement of time, throughout the year.