Then and Now

This worksheet is designed for students in Grades 4-6 to build reading comprehension, contextual reasoning, and historical awareness by comparing problem-solving methods from the past with modern AI-based solutions. Students complete paired “Then” and “Now” statements, such as paper maps versus navigation apps or handwritten letters versus online chatbots, helping them recognize how technology and innovation have transformed everyday habits.

Academic Focus

• Technological Change Over Time (Grades 4-6) – Compare past and present tools to understand progress and innovation.
• Reading for Context & Comparison – Use sentence clues to determine how older methods differ from AI-powered solutions.
• Real-World AI Applications – Identify where artificial intelligence appears in daily life.
• Vocabulary in Context & Sentence Completion – Apply precise words to complete meaningful comparisons.

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created Resource – Designed by educators to support social studies, ELA, and technology standards.
• Clear “Then vs. Now” Structure – Makes abstract change over time concrete and easy to understand.
• Encourages Discussion – Sparks conversations about innovation, convenience, and evolving habits.
• Flexible Use – Ideal for STEM integration, literacy blocks, independent practice, or homework.

This printable worksheet helps students understand how artificial intelligence has changed the way people solve problems and interact with the world. By comparing past and present methods, learners strengthen comprehension, reasoning, and historical thinking while building awareness of technological progress. Suitable for classroom or homeschool use, this no-prep activity supports thoughtful analysis of innovation and helps students see how AI fits into the broader story of human advancement.

This worksheet is part of our History of AI collection.