Activity Overview
Timelines are a helpful way for students to organize facts, people and events and to visualize how certain events impacted those that followed. By using the Storyboard That Creator to construct a timeline, students go beyond simply memorizing dates and are able to think critically about how to illustrate and describe important events.
This example highlights a few of the important dates in early Canadian history, however, any topic could be used. Teachers could have students create timelines of specific historical periods that they are studying. They could illustrate the progression of a topic through the ages such as the history of voting rights or the history of the printing press! Timelines could be used in ELA to show the progression of events throughout a story or a biography of a person's life. The possibilities are endless!
For an alternative to the timeline layout, have students create a timeline poster or a worksheet sized timeline to incorporate into a presentation or gallery walk. You can add more than one template to this assignment to give students lots of options and adjust the instructions accordingly.
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 in chronological order with accurate dates, descriptions. and illustrations for 5-10 important events relating to your topic.
Student Instructions:
- Click “Start Assignment”.
- Choose 5-10 important events related to your topic.
- In the timeline template, click on “Timeline Dates”, and write the dates of each milestone in the date cells in chronological order. Then click “update timeline”.
- For each cell, write a title at the top and write a 1-3 sentence description at the bottom for each event.
- Create an illustration that represents each event using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're finished.
Requirements: 5-10 events listed with correct dates, 1-3 sentence description and appropriate illustration.
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
Timelines are a helpful way for students to organize facts, people and events and to visualize how certain events impacted those that followed. By using the Storyboard That Creator to construct a timeline, students go beyond simply memorizing dates and are able to think critically about how to illustrate and describe important events.
This example highlights a few of the important dates in early Canadian history, however, any topic could be used. Teachers could have students create timelines of specific historical periods that they are studying. They could illustrate the progression of a topic through the ages such as the history of voting rights or the history of the printing press! Timelines could be used in ELA to show the progression of events throughout a story or a biography of a person's life. The possibilities are endless!
For an alternative to the timeline layout, have students create a timeline poster or a worksheet sized timeline to incorporate into a presentation or gallery walk. You can add more than one template to this assignment to give students lots of options and adjust the instructions accordingly.
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 in chronological order with accurate dates, descriptions. and illustrations for 5-10 important events relating to your topic.
Student Instructions:
- Click “Start Assignment”.
- Choose 5-10 important events related to your topic.
- In the timeline template, click on “Timeline Dates”, and write the dates of each milestone in the date cells in chronological order. Then click “update timeline”.
- For each cell, write a title at the top and write a 1-3 sentence description at the bottom for each event.
- Create an illustration that represents each event using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're finished.
Requirements: 5-10 events listed with correct dates, 1-3 sentence description and appropriate illustration.
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 History Timeline Project
Organize a collaborative class timeline project
Engage your class by working together to build a large timeline that covers your current unit or a shared topic. Collaboration helps students see how their individual research fits into a bigger picture and develops teamwork skills.
Assign each student or group a specific event to research
Distribute events among your students, ensuring everyone has a unique moment to explore. Researching their own event promotes ownership and deeper understanding.
Guide students to create a short presentation for their event
Ask students to prepare a 1–2 minute explanation of their event, including key details and a visual. Presenting helps reinforce learning and builds communication skills.
Combine all events into a single, visual class timeline
Assemble each student's event in chronological order on a bulletin board, wall, or digital platform. Visualizing the timeline together allows students to see historical connections and sequence.
Reflect as a class on cause-and-effect relationships
Facilitate a discussion about how earlier events influenced those that followed. Reflecting together deepens critical thinking and helps students make meaningful connections.
Frequently Asked Questions about History Timeline Project
What is a history timeline project for elementary students?
A history timeline project for elementary students is an activity where students organize important events, people, and dates in chronological order. This helps them visualize how historical events connect and impact each other, enhancing critical thinking beyond memorizing facts.
How do I create a classroom timeline using Storyboard That?
To create a classroom timeline with Storyboard That, start by selecting 5–10 key events, enter their dates in order, add a title and a brief description for each, and illustrate each event with relevant images. Save your work to share or present.
What are some creative ways to use timelines in ELA or social studies?
Timelines can be used in ELA to track a story’s plot or a person’s biography, and in social studies to show the evolution of topics like voting rights or inventions. You can also have students create timeline posters or worksheets for gallery walks or presentations.
Why are timelines effective for teaching history to grades 3-6?
Timelines help students in grades 3–6 organize information visually, see cause and effect, and understand the sequence of events. This approach supports critical thinking and retention better than memorizing isolated facts.
What should be included in a student timeline project?
A quality student timeline project should include 5–10 events with accurate dates, brief descriptions (1–3 sentences), and illustrations for each event. The timeline should be in chronological order and clearly labeled.
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