Grades 2–5
Then and Now
Interview an older family member and draw how school, phones, travel and toys have changed between then and now.
Social studies worksheet · Timelines and sequencing
Which Came First?
Eight pairs of history events, from the pyramids to the Moon landing: circle the one that happened first.
- Grade level
- Grades 2–5
- Time
- About 15 minutes
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- Timelines, Sequencing, Understanding time, Primary and secondary sources
What kids do
“Read each pair. Circle the one that happened first.”
Printed on the sheet:
- The pyramids of Giza were built
- Columbus sails to the Americas
- The Pilgrims land at Plymouth
- The Pilgrims and Wampanoag share a harvest feast
- The American Revolution begins
- George Washington becomes
- Abraham Lincoln becomes
- The first telephone call
Teacher tip
Talk about how long ago the pyramids were built compared with the Moon landing.
How to use it
- Make a human timeline: kids hold event cards and line up in order.
- Start with a timeline of the school day or the child’s own life.
- Use finished sheets for a quick gallery walk or a partner share.
Watch for
Kids who think everything long ago happened at the same time. Use spacing to show the gaps.
Talk about it
- What happened first? What happened next?
- What did you learn that surprised you?
Take it further
Make a class timeline on the wall and add to it all year.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More timelines and sequencing worksheets
Grades 2–5
Inventions: Put Them in Order
Put 6 inventions in order, from the printing press (about 1440) and the telephone (1876) to the World Wide Web (1989).
Grades 2–3
First, Next, Then, Last
A 4-step sequencing page with drawing boxes: kids tell how to do something in order with the time words first, next, then and last.
Grades 4–5
Decades and Centuries
Learn how decades and centuries are counted (why 1776 is in the 18th century), then answer 8 questions about years, decades and centuries.
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