Activity Overview
A helpful way for students to organize facts about the Transcontinental Railroad is in a timeline. This timeline highlights a few of the important dates from 1848 with the discovery of gold in California, through the lobbying and construction of the railroad, and goes up until 1882 with the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act. There are many important dates in the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad that students can explore that can highlight a broad range of perspectives! In this activity, students will create a timeline of 5-10 events about the construction of the transcontinental railroad. These timelines can be printed and displayed around the classroom and used as a reference.
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 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 the Transcontinental Railroad.
Student Instructions:
- Click “Start Assignment”.
- Choose 5-10 important events related to the Transcontinental Railroad.
- 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, list a title and write a 1-3 sentence description for each event.
- Create an illustration that represents each event using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Requirements: 5-10 events listed with correct dates, 1-3 sentence description, and appropriate illustrations.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Event description | All the cells are clearly described with details of the significance of the milestone. | All the cells are clearly described. | Some cells are described. |
| Visualization | The storyboard cells clearly illustrate all the 6 chosen historical moments. | The storyboard cells clearly illustrate some of the 6 chosen historical moments. | The storyboard cells does not clearly any of the 6 chosen historical moments. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
Activity Overview
A helpful way for students to organize facts about the Transcontinental Railroad is in a timeline. This timeline highlights a few of the important dates from 1848 with the discovery of gold in California, through the lobbying and construction of the railroad, and goes up until 1882 with the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act. There are many important dates in the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad that students can explore that can highlight a broad range of perspectives! In this activity, students will create a timeline of 5-10 events about the construction of the transcontinental railroad. These timelines can be printed and displayed around the classroom and used as a reference.
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 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 the Transcontinental Railroad.
Student Instructions:
- Click “Start Assignment”.
- Choose 5-10 important events related to the Transcontinental Railroad.
- 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, list a title and write a 1-3 sentence description for each event.
- Create an illustration that represents each event using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Requirements: 5-10 events listed with correct dates, 1-3 sentence description, and appropriate illustrations.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Event description | All the cells are clearly described with details of the significance of the milestone. | All the cells are clearly described. | Some cells are described. |
| Visualization | The storyboard cells clearly illustrate all the 6 chosen historical moments. | The storyboard cells clearly illustrate some of the 6 chosen historical moments. | The storyboard cells does not clearly any of the 6 chosen historical moments. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
How Tos about Transcontinental Railroad: Create a Timeline Activity
How to Lead a Class Discussion on Perspectives of the Transcontinental Railroad
Encourage students to share diverse viewpoints about the Transcontinental Railroad. This deepens understanding of its social and historical impact.
Set the stage with an open-ended question
Begin by asking, “Whose stories are represented or missing in our timeline?” This sparks curiosity and invites multiple perspectives.
Assign students different stakeholder roles
Have students take on roles such as railroad workers, Chinese immigrants, Native Americans, or business owners. This helps students empathize with historical figures.
Facilitate respectful sharing of viewpoints
Encourage students to express their assigned perspectives and respond to others. Foster a safe environment for open discussion.
Connect discussion back to the timeline activity
Ask students to suggest additional events or moments they might add to the timeline based on new perspectives. This expands their historical understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions about Transcontinental Railroad: Create a Timeline Activity
What are the most important events to include in a Transcontinental Railroad timeline for middle school students?
Key events to include are the 1848 discovery of gold in California, the 1862 Pacific Railway Act, the start of construction in 1863, the joining of the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads at Promontory Summit in 1869, and the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act. These events show the development and impact of the railroad.
How do you create a classroom timeline activity about the Transcontinental Railroad?
To create a timeline activity, have students choose 5–10 significant events, arrange them in chronological order, add dates and descriptions, and illustrate each event. Use timeline templates or posters for display and classroom discussion.
Why is the Transcontinental Railroad important to teach in grades 6-8?
The Transcontinental Railroad transformed the United States by connecting the East and West, boosting economic growth, encouraging migration, and impacting many communities. Teaching it helps students understand historical change and diverse perspectives.
What are some creative ways students can present their Transcontinental Railroad timelines?
Students can make timeline posters for presentations or gallery walks, use digital timeline tools, or create illustrated handouts. Displaying timelines around the classroom encourages collaboration and reference.
What requirements should a Transcontinental Railroad timeline activity include for students?
A strong activity should require 5–10 events with accurate dates, 1–3 sentence descriptions, and illustrations for each event. Students should arrange events chronologically and provide meaningful context.
More Storyboard That Activities
Transcontinental Railroad
Testimonials
“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
“I'm doing a Napoleon timeline and I'm having [students] determine whether or not Napoleon was a good guy or a bad guy or somewhere in between.”–History and Special Ed Teacher
“Students get to be creative with Storyboard That and there's so many visuals for them to pick from... It makes it really accessible for all students in the class.”–Third Grade Teacher
© 2025 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
