Every state has a rich history that defines how it is known today. Using a timeline layout, students will research the history of Vermont and create a timeline of key 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.
1609: French explorer Samuel de Champlain explores Vermont and claims the land for France.
1724: The British build Fort Drummer, which becomes the first permanent European settlement in Vermont.
1763: The British win the French and Indian War and take over control of Vermont.
1777: Vermont declares itself an independent republic.
1791: Vermont is the 14th state admitted into statehood on March 4th, 1791.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a timeline of 4-6 important events in Vermont’s history.
Student Instructions
Set up a gallery walk by displaying student timeline posters around the classroom. Arrange desks or wall spaces for each student's work so peers can easily circulate and view each timeline. This approach encourages engagement and peer learning as students share and discuss key events in Vermont's history.
Give each student a specific role during the gallery walk, such as 'historian', 'tour guide', or 'event expert.' Encourage them to explain one or two key events on their timeline to peers, building confidence and presentation skills.
Demonstrate how to present a timeline by highlighting clear speech, eye contact, and engaging storytelling. Show students how to use visuals and details to bring Vermont's history to life for their audience.
Offer sentence starters (like 'This event was important because…') and guiding questions ('What might have happened if this event didn’t occur?') to help students share deeper insights and connect with their listeners.
Invite students to give positive, specific feedback to their classmates after each presentation. Use prompts such as 'I learned…' or 'I was surprised by…' to foster a supportive classroom environment and boost learning from peers.
Key events to include in a Vermont history timeline are Samuel de Champlain's exploration in 1609, the building of Fort Drummer in 1724, British takeover after the French and Indian War in 1763, Vermont's declaration as an independent republic in 1777, and its statehood in 1791. These events highlight major milestones in Vermont's development.
To teach Vermont history with a timeline, have students research major events, organize them in chronological order, and create visual representations for each. Encourage students to describe why each event is significant and use images or drawings to make the timeline engaging.
Timeline posters are a creative alternative. Students can design posters featuring key Vermont history events, which can be used for presentations or gallery walks. This approach allows flexibility and encourages visual storytelling.
Having students choose events teaches critical thinking and helps them understand the significance of each moment in Vermont's history. It also encourages them to analyze what makes an event historically important.
Students can use blank timeline templates, digital timeline makers, or storyboard software to organize Vermont history events. These tools simplify layout and let students focus on content and creativity.