Create a Timeline!

Now that we have some of the basics of what happened in the formation of the 13 colonies we can build a timeline of American History to see how the stories all fit together.

What is a timeline?

A timeline is like a path or a map. It starts with one thing and then that leads to another thing, and then another. It could have a hundred things on the timeline or only a few. It helps you understand what happened and in what order.

For example, a timeline of somene's life might include important things that happened in their life and the date that they happened. This can help us to understand why one thing led to another.

For example, if we put in Mason's timeline that he learned to stand up and hold onto the couch, it would make sense that the next step would be Mason taking a first step and learning how to walk!

Or what if we list that Matt had a loose tooth? What would be the next thing to happen after that? That Matt's tooth fell out and he had a lost tooth!

One more example, what if we put on our timeline that Travis started reading the Book of Mormon everyday? The next thing on his timeline might say "Travis can read on his own!"

Ok here is an example of the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith:

We are going to create a timeline for American History! I suggest printing out several of the blank pages. We taped ours together and then to the wall and every time we add something we write a date and then draw a picture or write in "Boston Tea Party" (or whatever it is). If there are multiple things that happened you can list them under the same point OR use another point on the timeline with the same year. Paul Revere's ride and the shot heard around the world are both April 1775 but both significant stories that want to be remembered!

You can add specific months with the year or specific dates. It's up to you how thorough or simple you want to be!

ACTIVITY: Make a personal timeline of your life. Have the kids fill in important things in their lives. Hang the pages on the wall (it could be several, depending on how detailed they want to be!)

Then hang the American History timeline and continue to fill it in and we go through all the incredible stories!

Download this page. It has two points (1607 and 1620) added already on the first page. Then print several of page 2 (which are completely blank). Tape them together and they are ready for your own personal timeline!

Timeline Map (1).pdf

Download PDF • 83KB