Grades 3-5: Then and Now

Program Overview

What did Scott County towns look like 125 years ago? What did people do for a living back then and how did they get from place to place? Did their towns look anything like our towns today? In this hands-on program for grades 3, 4, and 5, students will have the opportunity to explore these questions by examining maps, photos, and objects and participating in discussions, games, and skits. This program is part of the Scott County Historical Society “Collections in the Classroom” initiative, which uses museum artifacts to teach students about local history. This program also aligns with Minnesota academic standards in social studies and English language arts.

 Audience

This program is for 3rd-5th grade students. It can also be presented in community settings to students in the 3rd-5th grade age range. Because of the hands-on nature of this program, program is limited to 30 students (or one classroom) at a time. Program can presented up to 4 times in one day to accommodate multiple classes at a school.

Program Format

This program is available in two formats: as an in-classroom outreach program taught by a SCHS educator or as a trunk program for teachers to use independently. Teachers may select the format that best meets their needs. The program is 45 minutes long (5th grade program is 50 minutes long). This program includes pre- and post-visit activities that align with Minnesota state academic standards. This program can be led by SCHS staff or facilitated by the borrower.

Program Goals

  • To help students recognize that towns change over time.

  • To help students gain knowledge about the types of businesses, professions, and modes of transportation that existed in Scott County 125 years ago.

  • To give students the opportunity to connect with history in a fun, hands-on manner.

  • To support teachers and to help the Scott County Historical Society further its mission to share Scott County history.

Additional Information

If an SCHS educator is coming in to the classroom, teachers should provide students with nametags so that the SCHS educator can address students by name. Teachers should ensure that there is a flat surface that the educator can use to display artifacts. During the hands-on portion of the program, the educator will ask the teacher to divide students into 5 groups. Students will need notebooks and pencils for this portion of the program. The SCHS educator will need a few minutes before and after the program for set-up and clean-up.

 

MINNESOTA STATE ACADEMIC STANDARDS AND BENCHMARKS

This program (including pre- and post-visit activities) meets the following Minnesota state academic standards.

third grade: Social Studies

  • 3.1.1.1.1: Identify ways people make a difference in the civic life of their communities by working as individuals or groups to address a specific problem or need.

  • 3.3.1.1.1: Use maps and concepts of location to describe places in one’s community, the state of Minnesota, the U.S. or the world.

  • 3.4.1.1.1: Reference time periods using correct terminology, including “decade,” “century,” and “millennium.”

  • 3.4.1.2.1: Examine historical records, maps, and artifacts to answer basic questions about times and events in history.

third grade: English Language Arts

  • 3.6.3.3: Write narratives and other creative texts to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.

Fourth grade: Social Studies

  • 4.3.1.2.1: Choose the most appropriate data from maps to answer specific questions about geographic issues.

  • 4.3.3.6.1: Explain how geographic factors affect population distribution and the growth of cities in the U.S.

  • 4.3.4.9.1: Explain how humans adapt to and/or modify the physical environment and how they in turn are affected by these adaptations and modifications.

  • 4.4.2.4.1: Identify and locate on a map the origins of peoples in the local community and state; create a timeline of when different groups arrived; describe why and how they came.

fourth grade: English Language Arts

  • 4.6.3.3: Write narratives and other creative texts to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.

fifth grade: Social Studies

  • 5.1.1.1.1: Simulate a historic event to show how civic engagement improves and sustains a democratic society, supports the general welfare, and protects the rights of individuals.

  • 5.4.1.2.1: Pose questions about a topic in history, examine a variety of sources related to the questions, interpret findings, and use evidence to draw conclusions that address the questions.

  • 5.4.1.2.2: Explain a historical event from multiple perspectives.

  • 5.4.2.3.1: Analyze multiple causes and outcomes of a historical event.

fifth grade: English Language Arts

  • 5.6.3.3: Write narratives and other creative texts to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.

“Then and Now” overview

Objective

Students will be able to describe what Scott County towns looked like 125 years ago, including the types of businesses that operated back then, the sorts of jobs people did, and the modes of transportation that were used. Students will be able to draw comparisons between Scott County 125 years ago and Scott County today.

Assessment

Students will demonstrate their understanding of what Scott County was like 125 years ago by collaboratively producing and sharing a presentation on the topic with their classmates (as well as by participating in class and small group discussions). *Note: Teachers will be asked to complete a post-survey to help assess this program.

Time

Third and fourth grade plans are 45 minutes in length. Fifth grade plan is 50 minutes.

Materials included in trunk

Presentation

  • Teacher survey

  • Town photos (Belle Plaine, Shakopee, New Prague, Jordan, Savage, Prior Lake, Elko New Market)

  • 1898 map of Scott County

  • Transportation photos (boat, wagon, train, car)

  • Slate board

  • Lock box

  • Scale

  • Corn planter

  • Horseshoe

  • Town business photos (school, bank, store, farm, blacksmith)

  • Laminated handouts

  • SCHS tote bags to hold artifacts

Blacksmith Artifacts

  • Horseshoe

  • Nails

  • Hook

  • Tongs

  • Blacksmith shop ledger replica

  • Optional: Blacksmith apron

Farmer Artifacts

  • Hat

  • Corn planter/seeds

  • Corn dryer

  • Rake or shovel

  • Butter churn or cooking pot

  • Optional: Flannel shirts

Merchant Artifacts

  • Brown paper/string

  • Soap

  • Toothbrush

  • Scale

  • Doll/beads

  • Scissors/thread

  • Fabric/ribbon

  • Coffee or spices

  • Ledger pages

  • Optional: Merchant Apron

Teacher Artifacts

  • Ruler

  • Slate boards

  • Wool erasers

  • Chalk

  • School books

  • Rules or school schedule

  • Optional: Dress or Vest

Banker Artifacts

  • Ink/feather pen

  • Metal money box and key

  • Account book

  • Land deeds

  • Optional: Vest