This assessment could be used for virtually any time period in US History, but I like using it while studying causes of the American Revolution. Instead of a traditional timeline, students will take on the perspective of an individual and create a timeline from that person’s point of view. For instance, students can take on the role of a Boston merchant, or a British loyalist.
Once students pick a role, they will create a timeline with events that their person would support going above the timeline, and events they would oppose going below the timeline. Below is the assignment I give my students.
Directions: You are to take on the role of a Boston merchant in Colonial America that is a patriot, a farmer in western Pennsylvania looking for more land, or a member of King George III’s inner circle. Below is a list of terms that are relevant to the time period of 1750 – 1776. If the term is favorable to your person, please put that ABOVE the timeline, with a brief description why. If the term is unfavorable to your person, please put that BELOW the timeline, with a brief description why. Circle the two events were the biggest turning points for your person and explain why.
List of Events:
- Proclamation Line of 1763
- End of the 7 Years War
- Boston Tea Party
- Sugar Act
- Stamp Act Congress
- Intolerable Acts
- Townshend Acts
- T-Paine’s Common Sense
- Battle of Bunker Hill
- Writs of Assistance
- Admirality Courts
- Boston Massacre
- First Continental Congress
Example with two of the above events for Boston Patriot