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A 100 year old Eucalyptus tree was standing tall, then a windstorm forced the tree down.

Rover looking down

than = comparison

then = sequence

In the early grades, children learn to read the words than and then. These words sound the same but have very different meanings and should be used as clues to help your child know what to expect.

Children need to know that the word than clues the reader that a person, place, or thing will be compared and the word then clues the reader to an order of events – something will happen next.

Make learning fun! Use interesting and/or familiar pictures to teach these words to your child. The pictures used in this slideshow are from Lake Merrit in Oakland, CA.

than = comparison then = sequence

Who or what is being

compared.

than

Will explain

The wind was stronger than the the base of the tree.

Who or what is being compared?

What happened next.then

Will explain

A 100 year old Eucalyptus tree was standing tall, then a windstorm forced the tree down. .

What happened next?

Who or what is being

compared.

than

Will explain

The pelican is bigger than the duck.

Who or what is being compared?

What happened next.then

Will explain

One duck was standing at the lake, then a pigeon came by and joined him.

What happened next?

and remember to use the clue words to

help your child understand what to expect when reading a passage or a story.

Someone or

something is

going to be

compared.

than

Something is

going to

happen next.

then

STOP

Birds, ducks, pigeons, and sometimes pelicans live in lakes. Pelicans are large birds. They are much bigger than other birds and ducks. Due to their size they eat a lot of fish. They catch fish with their large beaks, then swallow them whole.

The girl poured the cereal in the bowl, then the milk.

The number seven is greater than the number two.

The bag of potatoes weighed more than the bread.

I like watermelon more than grapes.

The dog chased the ball, then caught it in his mouth.

Comparison

Sequence

Extend the activity - Sort various sentences according to comparison or sequence.

The girl poured the cereal in the bowl, then the milk.

The wind was stronger than the base of the tree.

A 100 year tree was standing, then a windstorm forced it down.

The girl poured the cereal in the bowl, ____ the milk.

The number seven is greater _____ the number two.

The bag of potatoes weighed more ____ the bread.

I like watermelon more ________ grapes.

The dog chased the ball, ____ caught it in his mouth.

Comparison

Sequence

Extend the activity - Have your child fill in the correct than or then and sort each sentence according to comparison or sequence.

The girl poured the cereal in the bowl, _____ the milk. The wind was stronger _____ the base of the tree.

A 100 year tree was standing, ____ a windstorm forced it down.

Have your child write a sentence for each picture using the word than or then

Example: She locked her bike, then went to feed the ducks.

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