Grades 4–5
Decades and Centuries
Learn how decades and centuries are counted (why 1776 is in the 18th century), then answer 8 questions about years, decades and centuries.
Social studies worksheet · Timelines and sequencing
First, Next, Then, Last
A 4-step sequencing page with drawing boxes: kids tell how to do something in order with the time words first, next, then and last.
- Grade level
- Grades 2–3
- Time
- About 20 minutes
- Answer key
- Not needed: answers vary
- Kids practice
- Timelines, Sequencing, Understanding time, Primary and secondary sources
What kids do
“Pick something you know how to do, like making a sandwich. Draw and write the 4 steps in order using the words first, next, then and last.”
Printed on the sheet:
- Now write the steps as sentences. Start each one with a time word.
Words on this sheet
FirstNextThenLast
Teacher tip
Model with a simple task, like brushing teeth.
How to use it
- Make a human timeline: kids hold event cards and line up in order.
- Start with a timeline of the school day or the child’s own life.
- Pair it with a picture book or a short video on the same topic.
Watch for
Kids who think everything long ago happened at the same time. Use spacing to show the gaps.
Talk about it
- What happened first? What happened next?
- What did you learn that surprised you?
Take it further
Make a class timeline on the wall and add to it all year.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More timelines and sequencing worksheets
Grades 3–5
Space Exploration Timeline
Place 6 space firsts, from Sputnik in 1957 and the Moon landing in 1969 to the Curiosity rover on Mars in 2012, on a timeline ruler.
Grades 2–5
Three Generations
A family history timeline: kids interview a parent and a grandparent, record their birth years and a memory from each, and plot all three generations.
Grades 2–3
My School Day Schedule
A daily schedule timeline: kids write 8 parts of their school day in order with start times, then use before and after to talk about it.
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