Activity Overview
Have students keep track of a timeline of up to ten events from Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford. Using the narrative, along with their history textbooks or online resources, have them plug in the dates of the major events, including the history of the Puritans before their voyage, the voyage, their first winter, their interactions with the Native Americans, etc. See the following timeline example below:
Example Of Plymouth Plantation Timeline
July 1608The Separatist movement decides to move to Leiden (near Amsterdam) in Holland. |
September 1620After departing from Holland in July for Southampton, England, the group boards the Mayflower, and sails for the New World. |
November 1620The Pilgrims spot land, drop anchor, and sign the Mayflower Compact. |
December 1620The Pilgrims set foot in Plymouth, Massachusetts. An illness hits the Pilgrim group, and by March, over half of the group had died from the illness, starvation, and the elements. Bradford’s wife Dorothy May dies aboard the Mayflower. |
March 1621The Pilgrims negotiate with the Nauset tribe, establishing a peace treaty and later setting up trade relations. |
October 1621The Pilgrims have the first “Thanksgiving” with Massasoit and his men. |
August 1623William Bradford marries his second wife, Alice Southworth, a widow. |
November 1623The first official Thanksgiving is declared by Governor William Bradford, as the Pilgrims celebrated the arrival of more people and supplies that began to arrive in July. |
March 1629A royal charter for Massachusetts Bay Colony is issued. Plimoth Plantation and the Pilgrim settlement is later absorbed into the Massachusetts Bay Colony. |
September 1638The Pequot War with the colonists ends in a treaty. |
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 that illustrates ten major events in Of Plymouth Plantation.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Add additional cells to the timeline as needed.
- In the title of each cell, note the major event.
- In each description box, describe the event.
- Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Click "Save & Exit" when done.
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
Have students keep track of a timeline of up to ten events from Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford. Using the narrative, along with their history textbooks or online resources, have them plug in the dates of the major events, including the history of the Puritans before their voyage, the voyage, their first winter, their interactions with the Native Americans, etc. See the following timeline example below:
Example Of Plymouth Plantation Timeline
July 1608The Separatist movement decides to move to Leiden (near Amsterdam) in Holland. |
September 1620After departing from Holland in July for Southampton, England, the group boards the Mayflower, and sails for the New World. |
November 1620The Pilgrims spot land, drop anchor, and sign the Mayflower Compact. |
December 1620The Pilgrims set foot in Plymouth, Massachusetts. An illness hits the Pilgrim group, and by March, over half of the group had died from the illness, starvation, and the elements. Bradford’s wife Dorothy May dies aboard the Mayflower. |
March 1621The Pilgrims negotiate with the Nauset tribe, establishing a peace treaty and later setting up trade relations. |
October 1621The Pilgrims have the first “Thanksgiving” with Massasoit and his men. |
August 1623William Bradford marries his second wife, Alice Southworth, a widow. |
November 1623The first official Thanksgiving is declared by Governor William Bradford, as the Pilgrims celebrated the arrival of more people and supplies that began to arrive in July. |
March 1629A royal charter for Massachusetts Bay Colony is issued. Plimoth Plantation and the Pilgrim settlement is later absorbed into the Massachusetts Bay Colony. |
September 1638The Pequot War with the colonists ends in a treaty. |
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 that illustrates ten major events in Of Plymouth Plantation.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Add additional cells to the timeline as needed.
- In the title of each cell, note the major event.
- In each description box, describe the event.
- Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Click "Save & Exit" when done.
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 Timeline of Key Events for Of Plymouth Plantation
Use primary sources to enrich your Of Plymouth Plantation timeline
Incorporate excerpts from primary sources—such as letters, journals, or official documents—alongside each event on your timeline. This adds authenticity and helps students connect historical facts with firsthand perspectives.
Guide students to locate and select relevant primary source excerpts
Show students how to find reliable primary sources online or in textbooks. Model selecting short, meaningful quotes that directly relate to timeline events for deeper understanding.
Facilitate student discussion about the context of each primary source
Encourage students to share how each excerpt reflects the perspectives and experiences of people living during that time. Prompt connections between the source and the timeline event.
Support students in adding source citations to their timelines
Remind students to include a simple citation for each primary source used. Teach the basics of citing historical documents, helping students build research and academic honesty skills.
Celebrate and display enriched timelines in the classroom
Showcase student timelines on a bulletin board or digitally. Invite students to present their favorite primary source find, fostering pride and reinforcing learning.
Frequently Asked Questions about Timeline of Key Events for Of Plymouth Plantation
What are the key events in Of Plymouth Plantation students should include in a timeline?
Key events in Of Plymouth Plantation include the Separatists moving to Holland (1608), the Mayflower voyage departure (1620), signing the Mayflower Compact, settling in Plymouth, the first winter's hardships, first contact and peace treaty with Native Americans, the first Thanksgiving, and the colony's later absorption into the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
How do I create a simple timeline activity for Of Plymouth Plantation in my classroom?
To create a timeline activity, have students research and list major events from Of Plymouth Plantation, add dates, include brief descriptions, and create visual illustrations for each event. Use digital tools or paper to organize the timeline in chronological order for easy understanding.
What is the historical significance of the Mayflower Compact mentioned in Of Plymouth Plantation?
The Mayflower Compact is significant because it was a pioneering document of self-government, signed by the Pilgrims in 1620. It set a precedent for democratic rule and cooperation in the New World, influencing future American governance.
Why was the first winter so difficult for the Pilgrims according to Of Plymouth Plantation?
The first winter was especially hard due to illness, starvation, lack of shelter, and harsh weather. Over half the Pilgrims died, highlighting the extreme challenges of early colonial life described in Of Plymouth Plantation.
What role did Native Americans play in the Pilgrims' survival as described in Of Plymouth Plantation?
Native Americans helped the Pilgrims survive by teaching them vital farming techniques, establishing trade, and forming peace treaties. These interactions were crucial to the colony's early success and are a key focus in Of Plymouth Plantation.
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