Frontier Life, Then and Now

Travel, food, homes, and news on the trail and today.

Warm-up, learn, try it together, practice, then a quick check. About 15 minutes.

What children learn in Level 25

On the trail, the explorers traveled by canoe, by horse, and on foot. Their trip west took a year and a half! Today, an airplane can fly that far in a few hours.
They hunted animals like bison and elk, fished, and traded with American Indian nations for food. They kept meat from spoiling with salt. Today, most people buy food at a store and keep it cold.
At night, they cooked and kept warm by campfires. In winter, they built log forts. Today, most homes have heaters, stoves, and electric lights.
In spring 1805, they sent letters home on a boat. After that, there was no way to send news. Their families didn't hear from them for more than a year! Today, we call or text.
Some things are the same! People still use maps, eat fish, keep pet dogs, and help their friends.
Your turn! Sort them. Is it from long ago, or from today?
Try it with a grown-up! Pack a bag for a pretend trip west. What would you need without stores or phones?

Georgia Standards of Excellence in Social Studies:

SS1H1.b — Describe how everyday life of these historical figures is similar to and different from everyday life in the present (for example: food, clothing, homes, transportation, communication, recreation, etc.).
IPS.1 — Information Processing Skill 1: compare similarities and differences