Activity Overview
Over the course of the last few hundred years, America has prided itself as being a country that values freedom and the voice of its people. Although the pillars of the United States Constitution are founded on these freedoms, millions of Americans have had to fight for their right to vote in elections. Using a timeline layout, students will research the history of voting rights in the United States. 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.
Students may choose to illustrate the following events (among others):
- 15th Amendment
- 19th Amendment
- Indian Citizenship Act
- 23rd Amendment
- 24th Amendment
- Voting Rights Act
- 26th Amendment
- Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act 1986
- Civil Rights Act 1870
- Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984
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: Create a timeline that outlines the history of voting rights in the United States.
Student Instructions:
- 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.
Requirements:
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
Over the course of the last few hundred years, America has prided itself as being a country that values freedom and the voice of its people. Although the pillars of the United States Constitution are founded on these freedoms, millions of Americans have had to fight for their right to vote in elections. Using a timeline layout, students will research the history of voting rights in the United States. 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.
Students may choose to illustrate the following events (among others):
- 15th Amendment
- 19th Amendment
- Indian Citizenship Act
- 23rd Amendment
- 24th Amendment
- Voting Rights Act
- 26th Amendment
- Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act 1986
- Civil Rights Act 1870
- Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984
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: Create a timeline that outlines the history of voting rights in the United States.
Student Instructions:
- 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.
Requirements:
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 Voting Rights in the United States
Incorporate primary sources to deepen understanding of voting rights history
Select and introduce primary source documents such as historic speeches, letters, or government records related to voting rights. Explain their significance to students and discuss how each document reflects challenges or progress in voting rights over time.
Guide students to analyze primary sources for bias and perspective
Encourage students to identify the author, context, and audience of each primary source. Ask them to consider what perspectives are included or missing, helping them develop critical thinking skills about history.
Facilitate small group discussions on primary source findings
Divide students into small groups and assign each group a different source. Prompt them to share insights and summarize the main ideas with the class, fostering collaboration and deeper understanding.
Connect primary source analysis to timeline creation
Instruct students to use evidence from primary sources to write more detailed descriptions in their timeline cells. Encourage the inclusion of direct quotes or images from the sources to make their timelines more engaging and authentic.
Frequently Asked Questions about The History of Voting Rights in the United States
What are the key milestones in the history of voting rights in the United States?
Key milestones in U.S. voting rights history include the 15th Amendment (allowing Black men to vote), the 19th Amendment (women's suffrage), the Indian Citizenship Act, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the 26th Amendment (lowering voting age to 18). Each expanded voting access to more Americans.
How can high school students create a timeline of U.S. voting rights?
Students can create a voting rights timeline by listing major events and amendments in chronological order, adding brief descriptions and images for each. Online tools or storyboard templates help organize the timeline visually for class assignments.
What are some important amendments related to voting rights?
Important voting rights amendments include the 15th Amendment (race), 19th Amendment (gender), 23rd Amendment (D.C. residents), 24th Amendment (poll taxes), and 26th Amendment (age 18+).
Why did Americans have to fight for the right to vote?
Many Americans were excluded from voting due to race, gender, or other barriers. Over time, activists and lawmakers fought to expand voting rights through amendments and legislation, making the system more fair and representative.
What is the Voting Rights Act and why is it significant?
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a landmark law that outlawed discriminatory voting practices, such as literacy tests, and helped ensure equal access to the polls for all Americans, especially minorities.
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