Then and Now: Growing Together

Learning Goals & Products

Learning Goals

Students will be able to classify pictures, safe objects, and family-story details as long ago, today, or both to understand that some parts of daily life change while others stay the same.

Students will be able to compare work, clothing, manners, games, traditions, schools, community roles, and daily routines across generations to identify similarities and differences between long ago and today.

Students will be able to ask and answer teacher-supported interview questions about older family members’ and seniors’ childhood experiences to gather firsthand evidence about the past.

Students will be able to document interview facts and object or picture observations through drawings, labels, picture charts, and shared sentences to distinguish gathered evidence from guesses.

Students will be able to explain one evidence-based connection between life long ago and life today to communicate how the present is connected to the past.

Students will be able to collaborate with classmates and fourth-grade partners using careful listening, kind words, turn-taking, shared decisions, and feedback to improve a community presentation.

Students will be able to reflect on a new fact, an interesting experience, a past-to-present connection, and their contribution to the group to recognize growth as a learner and community member.

Products

individual

Then-and-Now Family Interview Investigation Record

Each student creates a teacher-supported record with an interview question, drawings or labels showing gathered evidence, one long-ago and today comparison, and a reflection on learning and collaboration. The student revises one detail after kind peer or adult feedback and orally explains the record with prompting as needed.

team

Then-and-Now Gallery and Songs, Stories, and Smiles Presentation

Kindergarteners and fourth-grade partners synthesize individual evidence into a revised gallery of picture cards, captions, and comparisons, then present a short song-and-story performance at the Neighborhood House Association Senior Center. Each child contributes evidence, explains a past-to-present connection, and participates in listening, turn-taking, feedback, and reflection.

Rubric

Competency Progression Rubric Competency-first rubric

Category	Learning Goal	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3	Stage 4
Deeper Learning Competencies	Effective Communication	I can listen to a family member, partner, or senior and share one idea, picture, or sentence about what I heard when I need help I can answer simple questions about something from long ago or today using words, drawings, or sentence frames.	I can listen carefully and tell one or two details about how life long ago is the same as or different from my life today I can ask or answer questions with support and share my ideas in a drawing, label, or short sentence.	I can describe several clear similarities and differences between life long ago and life today using stories, pictures, objects, and conversations I can speak in complete simple sentences, use compare-and-contrast words, and share my learning with a partner or small group with kind listening and turn-taking.	I can confidently explain how life long ago and life today are connected by sharing specific facts from interviews, pictures, and class research I can communicate clearly during gallery walks, rehearsals, and the final celebration by giving details, listening with empathy, and presenting my ideas so others can understand them.
Deeper Learning Competencies	Collaboration	I can join a small group with teacher or partner help, take turns, and listen while we look at objects, pictures, or family stories about long ago and today I can share one idea or feeling with a drawing, word, or sentence frame when reminded.	I can work with classmates and a partner to sort ideas about long ago, today, or both, and I can ask or answer simple questions about what I notice I can use kind words, take turns, and add one detail to our shared work with support.	I can collaborate with my 4th-grade partner or small group to compare life long ago and today using stories, pictures, objects, and speech bubbles I can listen carefully, share ideas, and use peer feedback to revise one part of our work so it is clearer.	I can help my group make decisions, share jobs, and solve simple problems while we create and practice our Then and Now gallery and performance I can listen to others with empathy, give kind feedback, and explain how our team worked together to make our project stronger.
Deeper Learning Competencies	Critical Thinking & Problem Solving	I can sort pictures, objects, or stories into long ago, today, or both with help, and I can name one way they are the same or different when a teacher or partner asks me questions.	I can compare two things from long ago and today by telling at least one clear difference or similarity using words, drawings, labels, or sentence frames, and I can share one idea from a family story or class conversation.	I can use clues from interviews, pictures, and objects to explain several ways life long ago and life today are alike and different, and I can help my group choose what belongs in our Then and Now work by giving kind, helpful ideas.	I can ask questions, gather information from family members, seniors, and class materials, and use what I learned to compare and contrast life long ago and today with clear reasons, details, and revisions that improve our gallery or performance.
Deeper Learning Competencies	Content Expertise	I can look at objects, pictures, and stories about long ago and today with help, and I can name one thing that is the same or different I can share my ideas with drawings or words using sentence frames and kind listening during group work.	I can compare life long ago and life today by telling a few clear ways they are alike or different, using family stories, photos, or objects I can ask or answer simple questions about what grandparents, older family members, or seniors share, and I can add labels or details to my work.	I can compare and contrast several parts of life long ago and today, such as games, clothes, school, work, or manners, using information from interviews, pictures, and class research I can explain my ideas in drawings, labels, speech bubbles, or simple sentences and use feedback to make one revision to improve my work.	I can explain how the present is connected to the past by sharing multiple accurate comparisons and connections from family stories, senior center conversations, and class research I can contribute to our Then and Now gallery and performance with clear details, kind collaboration, and thoughtful reflection about what I learned and how I helped my group.
Deeper Learning Competencies	Self Directed Learning	I can use teacher help to notice one way my learning is going and share a drawing, word, or sentence frame about something I learned from family stories, pictures, or the mystery box I can join a partner or small group, take turns, and tell one thing I did well with help.	I can use a simple goal or checklist to help me finish my work on the Then and Now project, like adding a label, speech bubble, or detail after feedback I can tell one way life was long ago or today and share one thing I did to work kindly with others.	I can use teacher and peer feedback to revise my work so it shows a clearer comparison between long ago and today I can explain one connection I learned from interviews or stories, and I can say how I listened, took turns, or helped my group while working on the gallery or performance.	I can set a simple goal, use feedback to improve my work, and reflect on whether I reached my goal in my drawing, captions, or performance I can explain more than one thing I learned from older family members or senior center friends, connect it to life today, and describe how I helped my group work well together.
Deeper Learning Competencies	Academic Mindset	I can notice and name a feeling about learning from older family members and seniors, with help from my teacher or a partner I can share one simple thought or drawing about something I learned or something I did well while listening and working with others.	I can tell one new fact I learned from a family story, picture, or senior center visit, and I can say whether it is about long ago or today I can use a sentence frame, drawing, or labels to show one way I listened, took turns, or worked kindly with a partner.	I can compare one or two ways life long ago and life today are the same or different using words, drawings, or speech bubbles I can give a simple example from an interview, object, or story, and I can say one thing I did to help my group or improve my work after feedback.	I can explain several connections between long ago and today, using family stories, pictures, and conversations with clear labels or simple sentences I can reflect on my learning, name something new and interesting, and describe how I used kind listening, turn-taking, and feedback to help my group create and share our project.