Eight events from 1803 to 1869 go on a timeline marked every 10 years in this 3-page 5th grade social studies sheet. Students match numbered pointer lines to cards from the Louisiana Purchase to the transcontinental railroad, including the Trail of Tears and the Gold Rush. Page 2 has four questions on the order and spacing of events. Page 3 holds the answer key with two sample cause-and-effect chains.
“Place events from westward expansion in the right order on a timeline.”
Page 1 has eight cards, from 1803 Louisiana Purchase to 1869 transcontinental railroad.
“Find the time between two events and link events as cause and effect.”
Questions 1 and 4 on page 2 ask for the 66 years from 1803 to 1869 and a three-event chain.
A timeline from 1800 to 1870 has eight numbered pointers and a word bank of eight dated cards. Students write the year and event on the line that matches each number.
Four questions. Students find how many years passed between the Louisiana Purchase and the railroad, name the 1838 event, pick the two gold events and write a three-event cause-and-effect chain.
All eight matches, the working 1869 minus 1803 for 66 years, and two sample cause-and-effect chains.
Crowded pointers
Pointers 5, 6 and 7 sit close together for 1843, 1848 and 1849. Tell students to match the cards in date order and use the decade labels as a guide.
Cause and effect
Question 4 accepts many chains. Ask pairs to read theirs aloud and name the words that link one event to the next, such as led to or because.
Native nations
The cards include the Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears. Plan a short talk about who was moved and why before students place them.
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