Every state has a rich history that defines how it is known today. Using a timeline layout, students will research the history of Georgia and create a timeline of events. Students must think about what makes an event truly worthy of being included in the timeline and be able to include detail in their timeline.
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.
1540: Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto is the first European to arrive in Georgia.
1733: The British Colony of Georgia and the city of Savannah are established by James Oglethorpe.
1776: Georgia signs the Declaration of Independence.
1788: Georgia is the 4th state admitted into statehood on January 2nd.
1861: Georgia joins the Confederate states in the Civil War.
1921: The boll weevil destroys much of Georgia’s crops.
1977: Georgia governor Jimmy Carter becomes the President of the United States.
1996: The Summer Olympics are held in Atlanta.
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a 4-6 cell timeline of important events in Georgia's history.
Student Instructions
Requirements: At least 4 events, correct dates, descriptions, and appropriate illustrations for each event.
Empower your students to find reliable information by teaching them how to use age-appropriate books, trusted websites, and primary sources. Model how to evaluate sources for accuracy and relevance, so their timelines include factual, well-supported events.
Guide students to list important moments in Georgia’s past they already know, then prompt them to ask questions about what else shaped the state. This sparks curiosity and sets a purpose for their research.
Encourage students to double-check dates and facts using at least two sources. This helps them avoid errors and builds good research habits for future projects.
Show how using a chart with columns for event, date, description, and source makes information easy to find and use. This keeps research organized and helps students stay on track.
Have students share their chosen events and sources with a partner for quick feedback. This step helps catch mistakes and boosts confidence before moving to the timeline creation phase.
Key events for a Georgia history timeline often include Hernando de Soto's arrival in 1540, the founding of Savannah in 1733, Georgia's signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, statehood in 1788, joining the Confederacy in 1861, the boll weevil infestation in 1921, Jimmy Carter's presidency in 1977, and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Students can create an engaging timeline by selecting 4–6 significant events, adding accurate dates, writing brief descriptions, and illustrating each event with images. Using a poster or digital template can make the project visually appealing and interactive.
A timeline poster is a visual representation of events in chronological order. Teachers can use it to help students organize and present key moments in Georgia's history, making learning more interactive and memorable through presentations or gallery walks.
Creative alternatives include making timeline posters, digital timelines, storyboards, or gallery walks. These formats allow students to showcase research through art, technology, and presentation skills while covering vital events in Georgia's past.
Choosing meaningful events helps students focus on the most significant moments that shaped Georgia, encouraging critical thinking and a deeper understanding of the state's development and impact on U.S. history.