Timeline

Title: Timelines

Grade Level: 9-12

Subject/Content: World History / Western Civilization

Summary of Lesson:  Students will create a timeline displaying major events in the development of western civilization.  This lesson may also be integrated with math, Biology and / or English to demonstrate the concepts of scaling and evolution.

Focus Question: What major events impacted the development of Western Civilization?  How did these events change those that came afterwards?

Databases(s): Virtual Reference Library, General Reference Center, World History Resource Center, Student Resource Center

Procedures:

This lesson may be directly integrated with math, Biology and / or English.  If you choose to integrate add the components described in the coordinating lesson plans found here.

Steps / Activities by the teacher: 

• Provide students with access to Gale databases for research
• Create a list of events pivotal in Western (or world) civilization.  Examples: the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Protestant Reformation and first use of the atomic bomb
• Prepare long paper to be used for student timelines (roll paper for bulletin boards cut lengthwise in halves works well)
• If integrating additional subject areas, coordinate timing and lessons with partner teachers
• Instruct students in AD, BC, CE, BCE and years ago

Steps/Activities by student(s):

• Choose or be assigned partners to create groups of 2 – 3 people
• Divide list of events prepared by the teacher
• Research events assigned and collect the following information: date of event / era, brief description and significance of event
• Put all of the group's events in chronological order using years ago
• Display all of your research neatly on the timeline

Outcome: Students will have background knowledge of the events researched and an idea of the order and cause / effect relationship between them.

Related Activities: Complete the scaled evolutionary timeline and analysis essay questions provided in the integrated lesson found here.

Standard Date: Approved

Content Standard(s):

• Apply key concepts such as time, chronology, causality, change, conflict and complexity to explain, analyze and show connections among patterns of historical change and continuity
• Identify and describe significant historical periods and patterns of change within and across cultures, such as the development of ancient cultures and civilizations, the rise of nation-states and social, economic and political revolutions
• Systematically employ processes of critical historical inquiry to reconstruct and reinterpret the past, such as using a variety of sources and checking their credibility, validating and weighing evidence for claims and searching for causality

Performance Indicators:

• At Level 1, the student is able to:
  • Identify major events in western civilization.
• At Level 2, the student is able to:
  • Describe the long-term impact of significant events in western civilization
• At Level 3, the student is able to:
  • Compare and contrast biological evolution with social evolution

Computer Literacy and Usage Standards 9-12: The student will develop skills using a variety of computer resources to increase productivity, support creativity, conduct and evaluate research and improve communications.

ISTE NETS for Students

• Evaluate technology-based options, including distance and distributed education, for lifelong learning
• Routinely and efficiently use online information resources to meet needs for collaboration, research, publication, communication and productivity
• Select and apply technology tools for research, information analysis, problem solving and decision making in content learning.  

Information Power; Information Literacy Standards:

• Standard 1: The student who is information literate accesses information efficiently and effectively
• Standard 2: The student who is information literate evaluates information critically and competently
• Standard 3: The student who is information literate uses information accurately and creatively