Activity Overview
Topics like the formation of the colonies and Manifest Destiny are exciting subjects in US history, and they're essential to understanding how and why the United States operates the way it does. Students should be able to create a narrative timeline that describes these events. With this activity, the storyboard serves as a timeline for the formation of the first 13 colonies.
If students would like to create a traditional timeline, consider having them make a timeline poster! These posters can be incorporated into a presentation or gallery walk. You can add more than one template to this assignment to give students lots of options!
As an extended activity, students can use their storyboards as the base for a larger project. Throughout the year, students can create a new storyboard or add additional cells that depict the expansion of the United States by unit or decade until they have a complete narrative.
Check out our other resources on the 13 Colonies!
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 storyboard that details the formation of the first 13 colonies.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the title boxes, enter the event or step in the formation of the colonies.
- In each description box, add a summary of the event.
- Create illustrations using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 5 Points | Emerging 3 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | The descriptions are clear and at least two sentences. | The descriptions can be understood but it are somewhat unclear. | The descriptions are unclear and are not at least two sentences. |
| Illustrations | The illustrations represent the descriptions using appropriate scenes, characters and items. | The illustrations relate to the descriptions, but are difficult to understand. | The illustrations do not clearly relate to the descriptions. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
| Conventions | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are somewhat correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly incorrect. |
Activity Overview
Topics like the formation of the colonies and Manifest Destiny are exciting subjects in US history, and they're essential to understanding how and why the United States operates the way it does. Students should be able to create a narrative timeline that describes these events. With this activity, the storyboard serves as a timeline for the formation of the first 13 colonies.
If students would like to create a traditional timeline, consider having them make a timeline poster! These posters can be incorporated into a presentation or gallery walk. You can add more than one template to this assignment to give students lots of options!
As an extended activity, students can use their storyboards as the base for a larger project. Throughout the year, students can create a new storyboard or add additional cells that depict the expansion of the United States by unit or decade until they have a complete narrative.
Check out our other resources on the 13 Colonies!
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 storyboard that details the formation of the first 13 colonies.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the title boxes, enter the event or step in the formation of the colonies.
- In each description box, add a summary of the event.
- Create illustrations using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 5 Points | Emerging 3 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | The descriptions are clear and at least two sentences. | The descriptions can be understood but it are somewhat unclear. | The descriptions are unclear and are not at least two sentences. |
| Illustrations | The illustrations represent the descriptions using appropriate scenes, characters and items. | The illustrations relate to the descriptions, but are difficult to understand. | The illustrations do not clearly relate to the descriptions. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
| Conventions | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are somewhat correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly incorrect. |
How Tos about Formation of a Country: 13 Colonies Become States
Incorporate Primary Sources to Deepen Timeline Learning
Enrich your students' understanding by integrating primary source documents like letters, maps, or newspaper clippings into their 13 Colonies timeline projects. Primary sources make history feel real and help students connect events to authentic voices from the past.
Select age-appropriate primary sources for your grade level
Choose short excerpts, images, or artifacts that are easy to understand and relevant to key events. Pre-read materials to ensure they match your students' reading abilities and classroom needs.
Guide students to analyze primary sources together
Model how to examine a document: look at the author, date, purpose, and main ideas. Ask guiding questions like “Who wrote this and why?” or “What does this tell us about life in the colonies?”
Connect primary sources to specific timeline events
Have students attach or reference primary sources in their timeline cells. For example, add a quote from a colonial charter or display an image of a colonial settlement for the founding of a colony.
Encourage reflection and discussion
Ask students to share what surprised them or how the source changed their perspective on the events. Classroom discussions can deepen engagement and critical thinking.
Frequently Asked Questions about Formation of a Country: 13 Colonies Become States
What is a simple way to teach the formation of the 13 colonies to middle school students?
Storyboards or timeline posters are effective tools for teaching the formation of the 13 colonies. Assign students to create a visual timeline, summarizing each major event, and illustrating key moments. This hands-on approach helps students understand the sequence and significance of each colony's founding.
How can I create a timeline activity about the 13 colonies in my classroom?
Start by providing students with timeline templates or digital storyboard tools. Have them label important events, add brief summaries, and include drawings or images for each colony. You can extend the activity by turning timelines into posters or presenting them in a gallery walk.
What are engaging project ideas for teaching the formation of the first 13 colonies?
Try projects like storyboard timelines, poster creation, or interactive presentations. Students can also build on these throughout the year, adding new content as they study westward expansion or key historical moments, creating a comprehensive narrative of America's growth.
Why is understanding the formation of the 13 colonies important for students?
Learning about the 13 colonies helps students grasp the origins of the United States, the reasons for colonization, and how early governance and events shaped the nation's development. This foundation supports deeper understanding of later topics like the Constitution and Manifest Destiny.
What are the steps students should follow to make a storyboard about the 13 colonies?
Students should: 1) Click "Start Assignment"; 2) Enter each event in the title boxes; 3) Summarize the event in the description boxes; 4) Add relevant illustrations. This process helps organize information visually and reinforces historical sequencing.
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