Before Now and Later
Match the cards using the notes about Before, Now, Later and Repeated activity.
About 10 minutes, plus any extended practice
Supplied materials
- Paper and pencil; drawing or spoken answers are welcome.
- Topic notes: Before: earlier than now. Now: at the present moment. Later: after the present moment. Repeated activity: an activity that happens again.
- Original exercise cards: A fictional child ate breakfast this morning and is now at lunch. / A fictional child is holding the pencil at this moment. / A fictional child will draw after lunch. / A fictional class reads every afternoon. / The class is singing at this moment. / The group plans to read after its current game. / A child brushes teeth each morning. / Yesterday’s walk happened earlier than today’s walk.
Learn the idea
Time words help describe change. Before means earlier than the time we are discussing. Now means the present moment. Later means after now. A repeated activity happens again; it is not the same as saying the clock has moved backward.
Before: earlier than now. Now: at the present moment. Later: after the present moment. Repeated activity: an activity that happens again.
Find a time clue such as yesterday, at this moment, after the game or each morning. Ask an adult to read the notes and cards aloud. Point, draw or say your answer.
- Ask an adult to read the four notes. Find the words Before, Now, Later, Repeated activity.
- Find a time clue such as yesterday, at this moment, after the game or each morning.
- Read the worked answer. Then try the other cards and explain which words helped you choose.
- Point to, draw or say two different examples: one for Before and one for Now. Explain how their clues differ.
See the method in action
Worked example: The card says: “A fictional child ate breakfast this morning and is now at lunch.” That matches Before. Before is earlier than now. Compare the note for Later: Later is after the present moment. That is a different clue.
Check your reasoning
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Helpful tips
- Find a time clue such as yesterday, at this moment, after the game or each morning.
- If you are unsure, ask an adult to read the card again. Match what this card says; do not add a new event or detail.
See the answer and explanation
Now
The card says: “A fictional child is holding the pencil at this moment.” That matches Now. Now is at the present moment.
Take it further
New card: “Yesterday’s walk happened earlier than today’s walk.” Match it with a note, then point to or say the words that helped. Check: The card says: “Yesterday’s walk happened earlier than today’s walk.” That matches Before. Before is earlier than now.
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More practice: try new cases
Choose an answer for each problem. Explain your method on paper, then use the feedback to decide what to revisit.
Your choices are temporary. Feedback appears after you check all the answers.
Nothing here is saved to an account or sent to a teacher. Keep your own notes or download them before leaving. The score describes these questions; it does not certify subject mastery.
Check the subject sources
These LifeStarter passages, scenarios and exercises are authored for this Academy with AI assistance and review. External resources keep their publishers’ terms. A grade label suggests a starting level; it does not establish alignment with your school’s complete requirements.