Every state has a rich history that defines how it is known today. Using a timeline layout, students will research the history of Kansas 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.
1541: Spanish explorer Francisco Vázquez de Coronado explores parts of present-day Kansas.
1803: Kansas becomes a part of the United States through the Louisiana Purchase.
1861: Kansas is the 34th state to be admitted into statehood on January 29, 1861.
1930s: Kansas is severely affected by the Dust Bowl, leading to widespread agricultural and economic hardship.
1954: Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka Supreme Court decision declares racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a 4-6 cell timeline of important events in Kansas’ history.
Student Instructions
Requirements: At least 4 events, correct dates, descriptions, and appropriate illustrations for each event.
Display student timelines around the classroom or hallway to create an engaging gallery walk. This lets students showcase their work, learn from each other, and build presentation skills.
Model giving constructive feedback and provide sentence starters for students. Encourage them to notice creative details, accurate facts, and clear explanations in each timeline.
Organize students into small groups and assign a starting point. Set a timer and have them rotate to view each timeline, making sure everyone sees all projects.
Lead a class discussion or have students write a quick reflection about what they learned. Ask students to share favorite events or creative ideas they saw in their classmates’ work.
Key events for a Kansas history timeline include the 1541 exploration by Francisco Vázquez de Coronado, the 1803 Louisiana Purchase, Kansas statehood in 1861, the 1930s Dust Bowl, and the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision. These milestones highlight significant moments in Kansas’s past for student projects.
Guide students to research major Kansas events, select at least four with dates and descriptions, and use a timeline template to organize them. Encourage adding images and details for each event, and consider alternatives like poster timelines for creative presentations.
Assign a Kansas history timeline project. Students research key events, arrange them in order on a timeline, write short descriptions, and illustrate each event. This hands-on approach reinforces chronological thinking and state history.
Use blank timeline templates provided by your curriculum, online timeline makers, or poster boards. You can add multiple templates to accommodate student needs and adjust instructions for digital or physical creations.
The Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka Supreme Court decision in 1954 ended racial segregation in public schools, making Kansas a pivotal site in the civil rights movement and U.S. educational history.