Remembering the names, dates, and details of historical events can be a struggle for students. And figuring out how all of that isolated information connects? That is even more difficult. But understanding historical events and their relationships with each other is critical. One of the best ways to achieve this is through timelines.
To help you get started, I have created U.S. History timelines that include the most important events for several topics. I have also gathered my favorite tips and resources for teaching with these U.S. History timelines. I want to save you time so you can get back to doing what you love – teaching!
Why Use a U.S. History Timeline?
A timeline is a powerful tool that provides a concrete way for students to connect historical concepts.
Timelines help students:
- view events as part of a larger movement
- sequence events in order
- activate prior knowledge
- identify cause and effect
- deepen their understanding of a historical period
My Best Tips for Teaching with Timelines
Why Many Students Don’t “Get” Timelines
As teachers, we commonly teach events one at a time, assuming that students are connecting the events in their minds. But when we teach events in “bits and pieces,” students learn most history out of context. As a result, they cannot connect the individual details and grasp larger historical themes.
The solution?
Students need regular practice creating and interpreting timelines.
My Favorite Timeline Activities
Timelines don’t have to be boring! There are many fun and engaging ways to incorporate timelines into your history instruction. Here are a few of my favorite timeline activities.
Illustrated Timeline
Students work together to construct an illustrated timeline of historical events. This can be done in many ways! For example:
- First, roll out a long strip of butcher paper for your students. You can do this horizontally or vertically.
- Next, use a bold marker to place dates on the paper.
- Then, have students cover the timeline in student drawings, index cards, and/or primary sources representing historical events.
Table Top Timeline
Students create a timeline across a table in the classroom. First, label sections of the table with dates using index cards. Next, students add objects, artifacts, and framed photographs to the table. Finally, they place these items next to the correct year on the timeline.
Digital Timeline
Have students create a timeline digitally. Don’t expect students to know how to use these digital resources independently. Be sure to model several times – and even do a few altogether!
- Google Slides – Students can create a simple timeline using this editable timeline. Before sharing this with students, you can adjust it to fit your specific timeline needs!
- ReadWriteThink Interactive Timeline – This program provides an easy-to-use digital timeline for students to fill in! Students can enter a date, description, and image in this timeline.
- Sutori – Using Sutori, your students can create great timelines that include text and images. You can even assign students to develop a Sutori timeline through Google Classroom!
Human Timeline
One of my favorite timeline activities is the Human Timeline from Facing History. In this activity, students teach their peers about one event from the timeline. Then, they build a human timeline by lining up in the order of the events. I’ve used a variation of this activity in my Early Republic and Westward Expansion units. Learn more about this activity here!
Analyze Timelines
Go beyond creating timelines. Analyze them! Here are some ideas for helping students analyze timelines.
- Compare a timeline with another from history.
- Identify the time period covered by each timeline.
- Determine how each timeline has been divided.
- Study the timelines to see how events in one are related to events in the other.
- Identify a turning point in the timeline.
- Identify a problem and give advice to people from that time period.
- Create a new ending!
U.S. History Timelines for Kids
With so many concepts to teach and countless details to cover, it can seem impossible to narrow it down. So which events should you include, and which should you leave out? To help get you started, I have created several U.S. history timelines – from the Age of Exploration through the Civil War.
- Age of Exploration Timeline
- 13 Colonies Timeline
- Declaration of Independence Timeline
- Revolutionary War Timeline
- U.S. Constitution Timeline
- The Early Republic Timeline
- Westward Expansion Timeline
- Civil War Timeline
More U.S. History Resources
I hope these U.S. History timelines bring deeper engagement and learning to your history lessons!
Are you looking for more resources to help you teach U.S. History? As a former 5th grade teacher, I understand how precious your planning time is. And with all the expectations placed upon teachers these days, it can feel like there is no time to plan and prep for history lessons!
I want to make your life easier and help you (and your students!) fall back in love with history! That’s why I have created interactive units with high-quality content and engaging lesson plans and activities. With everything you need to print and go, your lesson prep is simple, so your teaching can be enjoyable!
- Age of Exploration
- 13 Colonies
- Declaration of Independence
- American Revolutionary War
- U.S. Constitution
- Westward Expansion
- The Early Republic (A New Nation)
- Civil War
