Activity Overview
Using a timeline layout, students will research one of the landmark moments of the Civil Rights Movement. Rather than having students create a timeline that focuses on the entire movement, students are encouraged to focus on one major event inside of the movement. This activity could be used as a summative review of the unit, or an assignment that helps students learn and teach one another about their findings. Teachers can assign events to students or give them the option of choosing their own event. In order to help students decide which event to select, it could be helpful to categorize each event by the impact or result that it had (ex. Educational opportunities, voting rights, employment rights, etc.).
Students may choose to illustrate the following events (among others):
- March on Washington
- Montgomery Bus Boycott
- Murder of Emmitt Till
- Rosa Parks refuses to give up seat
- Little Rock Nine
- Civil Rights Act (1957/1964)
- Bloody Sunday
- Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
- Assassination of JFK
- Fair Housing Act
- Brown vs Board of Education
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a timeline detailing the major events leading up to and during the Civil Rights Movement.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Add cells to your timeline as needed.
- List out each of the events in sequential order.
- In the description boxes, describe the events.
- Create an image in each cell that depicts the events, using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save the storyboard and submit it to the assignment.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Events and Dates | The events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. The dates provided are correct. | Most of the events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. Most of the dates provided are correct. | Some of the events chosen for the timeline are significant. There may be missing events, or events that are irrelevant. Too many dates may be incorrect. |
| Explanations/Descriptions | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are accurate and provide insight into the significance of the events. | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are mostly accurate and attempt to provide insight into the significance of the events. | There are several glaring inaccuracies in the explanations or descriptions of the events. There may be little or no insight int the significance of the events, or the information provided may be too limited or missing. |
| English Conventions | There are 0-2 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 3-4 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 5 or more mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. |
Activity Overview
Using a timeline layout, students will research one of the landmark moments of the Civil Rights Movement. Rather than having students create a timeline that focuses on the entire movement, students are encouraged to focus on one major event inside of the movement. This activity could be used as a summative review of the unit, or an assignment that helps students learn and teach one another about their findings. Teachers can assign events to students or give them the option of choosing their own event. In order to help students decide which event to select, it could be helpful to categorize each event by the impact or result that it had (ex. Educational opportunities, voting rights, employment rights, etc.).
Students may choose to illustrate the following events (among others):
- March on Washington
- Montgomery Bus Boycott
- Murder of Emmitt Till
- Rosa Parks refuses to give up seat
- Little Rock Nine
- Civil Rights Act (1957/1964)
- Bloody Sunday
- Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
- Assassination of JFK
- Fair Housing Act
- Brown vs Board of Education
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a timeline detailing the major events leading up to and during the Civil Rights Movement.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Add cells to your timeline as needed.
- List out each of the events in sequential order.
- In the description boxes, describe the events.
- Create an image in each cell that depicts the events, using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save the storyboard and submit it to the assignment.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Events and Dates | The events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. The dates provided are correct. | Most of the events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. Most of the dates provided are correct. | Some of the events chosen for the timeline are significant. There may be missing events, or events that are irrelevant. Too many dates may be incorrect. |
| Explanations/Descriptions | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are accurate and provide insight into the significance of the events. | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are mostly accurate and attempt to provide insight into the significance of the events. | There are several glaring inaccuracies in the explanations or descriptions of the events. There may be little or no insight int the significance of the events, or the information provided may be too limited or missing. |
| English Conventions | There are 0-2 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 3-4 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 5 or more mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. |
How Tos about The History Of A Moment: The Civil Rights Era
Organize student presentations to showcase Civil Rights timeline projects
Plan a class session where students present their timelines to their peers. This gives each student the chance to share their research and learn from others’ findings.
Set clear guidelines for presentations
Provide a simple rubric with time limits, required points to cover, and expectations for visuals. Clear expectations help students prepare confidently and stay on task.
Encourage active listening and note-taking
Ask students to jot down one new fact or question during each peer presentation. This keeps everyone engaged and fosters meaningful class discussion afterward.
Facilitate a reflection discussion after all presentations
Lead a class conversation about the most surprising or impactful moments learned. This helps deepen understanding and connect the events to broader Civil Rights themes.
Celebrate student effort and learning
Acknowledge each student’s work with positive feedback, certificates, or a class display. Recognition boosts confidence and values every student’s contribution.
Frequently Asked Questions about The History Of A Moment: The Civil Rights Era
What is a simple way to teach the Civil Rights Movement using timelines?
A simple approach is to have students research and illustrate a single landmark event from the Civil Rights Movement on a timeline, describing the event, its impact, and adding images to visualize the moment. This method helps students focus deeply while sharing their findings with peers.
How can students create a timeline of a Civil Rights Movement event?
Students can choose or be assigned a major Civil Rights event, then use a digital tool or paper to lay out key moments leading up to, during, and after the event. They should include descriptions and illustrations for each step on the timeline.
What are some important Civil Rights events students can research for a timeline project?
Key events include the March on Washington, Montgomery Bus Boycott, Little Rock Nine, Brown vs Board of Education, Rosa Parks' protest, and the Civil Rights Act. Students can also explore Bloody Sunday, the Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., and more.
Why is it effective for students to focus on one event rather than the entire Civil Rights Movement?
Focusing on a single event allows students to dive deeper into its causes, outcomes, and significance, making learning more manageable and meaningful. It also encourages students to teach each other about different events.
How can teachers help students choose which Civil Rights event to study for their timeline?
Teachers can categorize events by their impact—such as educational opportunities, voting rights, or employment rights—to guide students in selecting a topic that interests them or addresses specific learning goals.
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