Past and Present: Places, Families and Change: Year 1 Study Guide
History is the story of the past. Things change over time, but some stay the same.
Children explore how their own family lives now and how life was different when their parents and grandparents were children. They compare things such as toys, transport, clothes, schools and homes. They use words like past, present, future, long ago and now.
Places change too. A paddock becomes a street, an old shop becomes a cafe, a wooden bridge becomes a concrete one. Maps, photos and stories help us see how a local place has changed.
Comparing then and now
| Topic | Long ago | Today |
|---|---|---|
| Transport | Horse and cart, steam train | Cars, electric trains, planes |
| Communication | Letters and telegrams | Phones and video calls |
| Washing | By hand, boiled in a copper | Washing machine |
| Toys | Wooden toys, marbles, tin cars | Electronic games, plastic toys |
Finding out about the past
Sources of information include photographs, objects (artefacts), stories from older people, books and buildings. Ask questions: 'What is this? Who used it? What was it for? How is it different from today's one?' A grandparent's old toy or a school photo from 1970 is a fantastic starting point.
An old iron or an old camera.
What is it made of?
Who used it?
What do we use today?
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have lived in Australia for tens of thousands of years and have cared for Country for all that time. Their stories, languages and traditions are passed on through families and communities, and are a living part of Australia today. Learn the name of the Traditional Owners of the land where you live.
Worked examples and common mistakes
Example: Which came first, a letter or an email? A letter. Example: Put in order: grandma was a baby, now, future. Past, present, future. Common mistakes: thinking people long ago were not clever, and mixing up how long ago things were. Use a timeline with a few real photos to give a sense of order.
Check your understanding: model answers
1. Examples: transport, phones, toys or how clothes were washed. 2. Long ago, now, tomorrow. 3. Example: Who used this, and what was it for?
✨ Key Takeaways
- The past, present and future describe time.
- Objects, photos and stories tell us about the past.
- Places and ways of life change over time.
- First Nations peoples have cared for Country for tens of thousands of years.
💬 Questions for Discussion & Reflection
- Name one thing that is different from when your grandparents were young.
- Put in order: now, long ago, tomorrow.
- Ask a question about an old object.