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5th Grade Timeline and Primary Source Evidence worksheets

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Timeline and Primary Source Evidence

Grade 5 Social Studies Worksheet

NameDate

Circle the event that happened first.

  1. Which happened first: the Battle of Yorktown or the War of 1812 begins?

    • The Battle of Yorktown
    • The War of 1812 begins

  2. Which happened first: Harvard is founded or the Emancipation Proclamation?

    • Harvard is founded
    • The Emancipation Proclamation

  3. Which happened first: the Civil War ends or Harvard is founded?

    • The Civil War ends
    • Harvard is founded

  4. Which happened first: the California Gold Rush begins or the Erie Canal opens?

    • The California Gold Rush begins
    • The Erie Canal opens

  5. Which happened first: Harvard is founded or the Louisiana Purchase?

    • Harvard is founded
    • The Louisiana Purchase

  6. Which happened first: the Trail of Tears or the light bulb is invented?

    • The Trail of Tears
    • The light bulb is invented

  7. Which happened first: Georgia is founded or the Wright brothers fly?

    • Georgia is founded
    • The Wright brothers fly

  8. Which happened first: the Boston Tea Party or the Bill of Rights is added?

    • The Boston Tea Party
    • The Bill of Rights is added

  9. Which happened first: the War of 1812 begins or the Declaration of Independence is signed?

    • The War of 1812 begins
    • The Declaration of Independence is signed

  10. Which happened first: the Statue of Liberty is dedicated or the Wright brothers fly?

    • The Statue of Liberty is dedicated
    • The Wright brothers fly
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5th Grade Timeline and Primary Source Evidence worksheet 1 – printable PDF
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About this worksheet

A timeline puts events in the order they happened, and historians use the dates in primary sources, such as letters, newspapers and records made at the time, to build one. Knowing which of two events came first helps explain cause and effect: the Stamp Act came before the Boston Tea Party, and the telephone came before the airplane.

On this fifth grade sheet a child reads ten pairs of events from American history and circles the event that happened first. Each version has different pairs, and the answer key gives every answer.

What your child will learn

  • Put events in order
  • Know the dates of important events in American history
  • Compare two dates
  • Use a timeline

C3 Framework standard: D2.His.1.3-5

Worked example

The telephone was invented in 1876 and the Wright brothers flew in 1903, so the telephone happened first.

Common mistake

Choosing the event with the bigger year, when the smaller year came first.

Helpful hint

The earlier year happened first. Think of a timeline with the earliest event on the left.

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with timeline and primary source evidence?

Choosing the event with the bigger year, when the smaller year came first.

How can I help my child with timeline and primary source evidence?

The earlier year happened first. Think of a timeline with the earliest event on the left.

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.

Similar: Read a Timeline · The American Revolution

More 5th grade history

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