Grades 3–5
American History Timeline
Place 6 big moments in American history, from the Pilgrims in 1620 to the Moon landing in 1969, on a timeline ruler.
Social studies worksheet · Timelines and sequencing
How We Got Around: Put It in Order
Put 6 transportation firsts in order, from the first steam locomotive in 1804 to the Moon landing in 1969.
- Grade level
- Grades 2–5
- Time
- About 20 minutes
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- Timelines, Sequencing, Understanding time, Primary and secondary sources
What kids do
“Read the events and their years. Number them 1 to 6 from oldest to newest, then write them on the timeline.”
Printed on the sheet:
- United States is finished starts selling the
- Pony Express riders start
- 1860 carrying mail across the
- Wright brothers make
- Write the events in order
- How do you think people will get around 100 years from now?
Teacher tip
Show pictures of each vehicle to make the dates come alive.
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
- How long ago was this?
- What question would you ask an expert on this topic?
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 2–5
Which Came First?
Eight pairs of history events, from the pyramids to the Moon landing: circle the one that happened first.
Grades 2–5
Then and Now
Interview an older family member and draw how school, phones, travel and toys have changed between then and now.
Grades 2–5
Inventions: Put Them in Order
Put 6 inventions in order, from the printing press (about 1440) and the telephone (1876) to the World Wide Web (1989).
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