Search
https://www.test.storyboardthat.com/lesson-plans/early-humans/paleolithic-vs-neolithic
Activity Overview
Template and Class Instructions
Activity Overview Accordion Arrow

Activity Overview


After students learn about the differences and similarities between the Paleolithic Age and the Neolithic Age, it's helpful for them to organize the information in a way that makes it easy to remember. In this activity, students will create a T-Chart that compares and contrasts the two periods. They should include several categories, such as food sources, homes, tools, and clothing.


Students Can Collaborate!

Teachers may wish for students to work together on this lesson which is possible with Storyboard That's Real Time Collaboration feature! With Real Time Collaboration, students can work on the same storyboard at the same time which is perfect for this lesson! As teachers know, collaborating on assignments allows students to think on a deeper level while increasing their communication and problem-solving skills. Collaboration can also help cut down on the time it takes to complete a storyboard. While there is no set limit to the number of users who can work on a storyboard at once, we recommend five users or fewer for optimal performance. All of our assignments default to individual. To make this lesson collaborative, teachers must enable collaboration for the assignment within the "Edit Assignment" tab.



Template and Class Instructions Accordion Arrow

Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)



Due Date:

Objective: Compare and contrast the Paleolithic Age and the Neolithic Age.

Student Instructions:

  1. Using school resources, conduct some research and learn more about the similarities and differences between the old stone age (Paleolithic) and the new stone age (Neolithic)
  2. On a T-Chart, compare and contrast the two time periods with information about the Paleolithic age on one side and information about the Neolithic age on the other side. Add appropriate words and images to describe each category.

Requirements: A minimum of 1-2 sentence description and appropriate illustrations for each of the categories: food, homes, clothing and tools.

Lesson Plan Reference

Switch to: Common CoreArizonaCaliforniaColoradoFloridaGeorgiaIowaKansasMarylandMassachusettsNebraskaNew JerseyNew YorkNorth CarolinaOhioOklahomaPennsylvaniaUtah

Activity Overview


After students learn about the differences and similarities between the Paleolithic Age and the Neolithic Age, it's helpful for them to organize the information in a way that makes it easy to remember. In this activity, students will create a T-Chart that compares and contrasts the two periods. They should include several categories, such as food sources, homes, tools, and clothing.


Students Can Collaborate!

Teachers may wish for students to work together on this lesson which is possible with Storyboard That's Real Time Collaboration feature! With Real Time Collaboration, students can work on the same storyboard at the same time which is perfect for this lesson! As teachers know, collaborating on assignments allows students to think on a deeper level while increasing their communication and problem-solving skills. Collaboration can also help cut down on the time it takes to complete a storyboard. While there is no set limit to the number of users who can work on a storyboard at once, we recommend five users or fewer for optimal performance. All of our assignments default to individual. To make this lesson collaborative, teachers must enable collaboration for the assignment within the "Edit Assignment" tab.



Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)



Due Date:

Objective: Compare and contrast the Paleolithic Age and the Neolithic Age.

Student Instructions:

  1. Using school resources, conduct some research and learn more about the similarities and differences between the old stone age (Paleolithic) and the new stone age (Neolithic)
  2. On a T-Chart, compare and contrast the two time periods with information about the Paleolithic age on one side and information about the Neolithic age on the other side. Add appropriate words and images to describe each category.

Requirements: A minimum of 1-2 sentence description and appropriate illustrations for each of the categories: food, homes, clothing and tools.

Lesson Plan Reference

Switch to: Common CoreArizonaCaliforniaColoradoFloridaGeorgiaIowaKansasMarylandMassachusettsNebraskaNew JerseyNew YorkNorth CarolinaOhioOklahomaPennsylvaniaUtah

How Tos about Paleolithic vs Neolithic Age

1

Use primary sources to deepen understanding of the Paleolithic and Neolithic Ages

Enhance lessons by incorporating primary sources like artifact images, cave paintings, and ancient tools to give students a real-world connection to early human life. These authentic materials help students visualize and analyze the past, making history more engaging and memorable.

2

Select age-appropriate primary sources for classroom analysis

Choose resources such as simple artifact photos, short translated excerpts, and clear diagrams. Ensure materials are visually clear and relevant to your lesson objectives so students can easily interpret and discuss them.

3

Guide students to observe and ask questions about artifacts

Encourage students to look closely at each source and ask: What is this? Who made it? What might it have been used for? Prompting curiosity helps students think like historians and develop critical inquiry skills.

4

Facilitate group discussions to compare findings

Have students share their observations and ideas with classmates. Group discussions allow them to consider different perspectives and build a fuller understanding of daily life in both ages.

5

Connect primary source analysis to the T-Chart activity

Ask students to use their observations from primary sources to add depth to their T-Charts. Encourage them to reference real artifacts or images in specific categories like tools, clothing, and homes for richer, more accurate comparisons.

Frequently Asked Questions about Paleolithic vs Neolithic Age

What is the main difference between the Paleolithic Age and the Neolithic Age?

The main difference is that the Paleolithic Age (Old Stone Age) was characterized by hunting and gathering, while the Neolithic Age (New Stone Age) saw the development of agriculture and permanent settlements.

How can students easily compare and contrast the Paleolithic and Neolithic Ages?

Students can use a T-Chart to organize differences and similarities between the two ages, focusing on categories like food sources, homes, tools, and clothing for each period.

What are effective categories to include in a Paleolithic vs Neolithic T-Chart?

Key categories to include are food sources, homes, tools, and clothing, as these highlight major lifestyle changes between the two eras.

Why is collaboration helpful for a compare and contrast lesson on early humans?

Collaboration helps students share ideas, deepen understanding, and improve communication and problem-solving skills when exploring the differences between the Paleolithic and Neolithic Ages.

How do you enable Real Time Collaboration for a Storyboard That assignment?

To enable Real Time Collaboration, go to the assignment's Edit Assignment tab and turn on collaboration, allowing multiple students to work together on the same storyboard.




Testimonials

“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”
–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
“I'm doing a Napoleon timeline and I'm having [students] determine whether or not Napoleon was a good guy or a bad guy or somewhere in between.”
–History and Special Ed Teacher
“Students get to be creative with Storyboard That and there's so many visuals for them to pick from... It makes it really accessible for all students in the class.”
–Third Grade Teacher
*(This Will Start a 2-Week Free Trial - No Credit Card Needed)
https://www.test.storyboardthat.com/lesson-plans/early-humans/paleolithic-vs-neolithic
© 2025 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office