Unit Plan 22 (PreK Social Studies): Stories from Long Ago

Focus: Help children listen to and enjoy simple stories from “long ago” and begin to retell them with pictures, words, and actions. Help them connect these stories to family life and traditions, noticing that some things have changed and some things have stayed the same.

Grade Level: PreK

Subject Area: Social Studies (History)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 15–20 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this unit, children explore stories from long ago—simple tales about how people lived, played, and celebrated in the past, especially in families. Through read-alouds, photos, and discussion, they hear about family life “when Grandma/Grandpa was little” and learn that some things (games, love, celebrations) are similar, while toys, clothes, or tools might be different.

Children also begin to share their own family traditions—foods, songs, or celebrations—and connect them with the idea that “this is part of my family’s story.” By the end of the unit, each child creates a “Story from Long Ago” page showing a moment from a story they heard or a family story that an adult has shared with them.

Essential Questions

• What does “long ago” mean?
• How were family life and celebrations long ago like ours today? How were they different?
• What stories does my family tell about “when they were little”?
• How can we retell a story from long ago with pictures, words, and actions?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Listen to at least one simple story from long ago and name a key person or event in the story.
2. Retell part of a story using pictures, words, or actions (e.g., “First they ate dinner, then they sang”).
3. Share at least one family or cultural tradition (a special food, song, or celebration).
4. Create a “Story from Long Ago” drawing and dictate a short statement about the story or tradition.

Standards Alignment — PreK (C3-based custom)

• PK.C3.Hist.5 — Listen to and retell stories from the past. Enjoys simple historical or family stories.
  • Example: Listening to “When Grandma Was a Little Girl.”
• PK.C3.Hist.4 — Share family and cultural traditions. Talks about customs, foods, and celebrations at home.
  • Example: Bringing a photo from a family celebration to share.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can listen to a story from long ago and tell something that happened.
• I can retell part of a story with my words, drawing, or acting.
• I can share one tradition my family has (a special food, song, or celebration).
• I can make a picture about a story from long ago and say what is happening.