Grade 5 · Social Studies · History

5th Grade Read a Timeline worksheets

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Read a Timeline

Grade 5 Social Studies Worksheet

NameDate

Read the timeline. Then answer each question on the line.

Which event happened first?
Which event happened last?
Use the picture in question 1.
Which year goes with “Harvard is founded”?
Use the picture in question 1.
How many years passed between “Mayflower lands” and “English take New Amsterdam”?
Use the picture in question 1.
Which happened later: “Harvard is founded” or “English take New Amsterdam”?
Use the picture in question 1.
How many years passed between the first event and the last event?
Use the picture in question 1.

5th Grade Read a Timeline worksheet 1 – printable PDF — Download PDF: 1 2 3 4 5 6

About this worksheet

A timeline puts events in the order they happened, with the earliest on the left and the latest on the right, and the years printed under each one. Historians use timelines to see what came first, what came later and how much time passed in between. On this fifth grade sheet a child reads one timeline of five events from American history and answers six questions on the lines: which event was first, which was last, what year something happened, and how many years passed between two events.

Each version has a different timeline, from the first colonies to the Civil War, and the answer key gives every answer.

What your child will learn

Put events in order
Find the earliest and latest event
Read a year on a timeline
Work out how many years passed

C3 Framework standard: D2.His.1.3-5

Worked example

If one event is in 1620 and another in 1636, then 1636 - 1620 = 16 years passed between them.

Common mistake

Reading the timeline from right to left, so the latest event is called the first.

Helpful hint

The earliest event is on the left. To find how many years passed, subtract the earlier year from the later year.

Next skill: Analyze a Primary Source Earlier: Map Skills: Compass and Directions

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with read a timeline?

Reading the timeline from right to left, so the latest event is called the first.

How can I help my child with read a timeline?

The earliest event is on the left. To find how many years passed, subtract the earlier year from the later year.

Are these 5th grade social studies worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions on this page are free to download and print, with no account needed.

More 5th grade history

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