Activity Overview
Students will create a timeline that represents the major events of the Slave Trade. Students may incorporate primary sources or other research from class to represent these events. Students can focus on the events that occurred in Africa leading up to the Slave Trade or focus on America’s role. This activity will give students a better perspective of the impact of slavery as a whole, and how it fits into the bigger picture of history.
Students may choose to include the following events in their timeline
- First Slaves Arrive in America
- Massachusetts Legalizes Slavery
- The Fugitive Slave Act
- The Cotton Gin is Invented
- Uncle Tom's Cabin is Published
- Kansas-Nebraska Act
- Civil War Begins
- 13th Amendment Ratified
For an alternative to the timeline layout, have students create a timeline poster to incorporate into a presentation or gallery walk. You can add more than one template to this assignment to give students lots of options!
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 important events in the history of the Slave Trade.
- 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
Students will create a timeline that represents the major events of the Slave Trade. Students may incorporate primary sources or other research from class to represent these events. Students can focus on the events that occurred in Africa leading up to the Slave Trade or focus on America’s role. This activity will give students a better perspective of the impact of slavery as a whole, and how it fits into the bigger picture of history.
Students may choose to include the following events in their timeline
- First Slaves Arrive in America
- Massachusetts Legalizes Slavery
- The Fugitive Slave Act
- The Cotton Gin is Invented
- Uncle Tom's Cabin is Published
- Kansas-Nebraska Act
- Civil War Begins
- 13th Amendment Ratified
For an alternative to the timeline layout, have students create a timeline poster to incorporate into a presentation or gallery walk. You can add more than one template to this assignment to give students lots of options!
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 important events in the history of the Slave Trade.
- 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 Timeline of Slavery in America
Incorporate primary sources into your slavery timeline project
Enhance your students' learning by guiding them to use primary sources like historical documents, images, or firsthand accounts in their timelines. This deepens understanding and brings history to life.
Choose age-appropriate primary sources for student research
Select primary sources that match your students’ reading and comprehension skills. Look for short excerpts from slave narratives, scanned historical documents, or age-suitable images to ensure accessibility and engagement.
Model how to analyze a primary source in class
Demonstrate analyzing a primary source by reading it aloud, identifying key details, and discussing its historical context. This helps students understand how to extract meaningful information for their timelines.
Guide students to add primary source evidence to timeline events
Encourage students to include a quote, image, or summary from a primary source with each timeline event. This practice connects their research directly to the timeline content, making events more vivid and authentic.
Facilitate reflection and discussion on primary source findings
Prompt students to share and discuss what they learned from their primary sources. This builds critical thinking as students compare perspectives and reflect on the impact of slavery through authentic voices.
Frequently Asked Questions about Timeline of Slavery in America
What are the key events to include in a timeline of slavery in America?
Key events to include are: the arrival of the first slaves in America, Massachusetts legalizing slavery, the Fugitive Slave Act, invention of the cotton gin, publication of Uncle Tom's Cabin, the Kansas-Nebraska Act, the start of the Civil War, and ratification of the 13th Amendment. These events highlight major turning points in the history of slavery in the United States.
How can students create an effective slavery timeline for class?
Students can create an effective slavery timeline by listing major events in order, providing brief descriptions, and adding images or primary sources for context. Using a poster or digital storyboard helps make the timeline engaging and easy to present.
What primary sources can I use for a lesson on the slave trade timeline?
Primary sources like historical documents, letters, photographs, newspaper articles, and firsthand accounts can provide students with authentic perspectives on the slave trade’s events. These sources help deepen understanding and make the timeline more meaningful.
Why is it important for students to study the timeline of slavery in America?
Studying the timeline of slavery in America helps students understand its lasting impact on society, recognize the struggles for freedom and justice, and see how historical events shape the present. It promotes critical thinking and empathy.
What alternative activities can replace a timeline assignment on slavery?
Alternative activities include creating a timeline poster for presentations, organizing a gallery walk, or using digital tools to make interactive timelines. These methods offer more engagement and flexibility for students with different learning styles.
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- Image taken from page 82 of 'Building the Nation. Events in the history of the United States, from the Revolution to the beginning of the War between the States ... Illustrated' • The British Library • License No known copyright restrictions (http://flickr.com/commons/usage/)
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