Stretching Borders - A Visual
Timeline
The chance to review material proves to be one of the most beneficial components
of this project.
Curriculum/State Standards
6-12.USH1.2.2.1 Analyze ways in which
the physical environment affected political
and economic development.
6-12.USH1.2.3.2 Illustrate westward
migration across North America.
Overview
The Stretching Boarders: A Visual
Timeline Project required students to
research the border changes within the
United States during 1775-1860. This
research was guided as students prepared
a visual timeline describing the reasons
for the changing borders. Students will
create a unique display that walks the
observer through significant transitions in
the borders of the United States.
Objectives
The student will research border changes
throughout the United States’ history
beginning with the British colonies and
ending with pre Civil War.
The student will construct a visual
timeline depicting the changing borders of
the United States of America.
The student will describe the changes
between each map on the visual timeline.
Materials
assignment description, white chart
paper, colored pencils/markers, historic
atlases, atlas, template of United States of
America, research materials, and Internet
access, holder map rail 8’ x 1”
America Discovered: A Historical Atlas of
North American Exploration
Historical Atlas of the United States
National Geographic Student Atlas of the
World: Third Edition
Readiness Activity
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GRADE LEVEL
Students will review the significant
events that helped shape the United
States. They will brainstorm significant
events that changed the borders of
the U.S. Following class discussion and
brainstorming, students will be given
the project details and format. They will
begin researching the important events
listed on the project and take notes.
Strategies/Activities
1. Students participate in classroom
discussion reviewing the significant
events throughout history that helped
shape the borders of the United States.
They begin in 1775 with the British
colonies and continue through pre Civil
War, 1860.
2. Upon brainstorming a list, the class
will discuss the assignment and project
requirements. They will be assigned
groups. Groups of 2-3 will ensure that
all students are engaged throughout the
process.
3. Before beginning the map activity,
students will research the significant
events outlined on the assignment sheet
and begin taking notes focused on the
change in the border.
4. Students create a rough draft of the
map activity. When that is approved,
they are issued an outline of the U.S.
From that outline, they create a master
template to allow for consistency within
their six maps.
5. They begin tracing the outline of each
map, label the maps with dates, draw
the borders, write the explanations about
the significant changes from each map,
design a title, label the interior of the
map, and color.
THIS WINNING PROJECT IDEA SUBMITTED BY:
Jessica Hammond
Kootenai Jr. High School
Harrison, ID
8
2.5
WEEKS
$492
TOTAL BUDGET
Stretching Borders - A Visual
Timeline
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Stretching Borders: A Visual
Timeline
1775-1860
Objectives:
• Research border changes
throughout the United States
history beginning with the British
colonies and ending with pre Civil
War.
• Construct a visual timeline
depicting the changing borders of
the United States of America.
• Describe the changes between
each map on the visual timeline.
Requirements:
• Research- See the attached
maps for instructions, notes, etc.
• The visual timeline must include
six visual political maps for 1775,
1800, 1810, 1820, 1850, 1860
• Descriptions must include
information to describe the
changes from the previous
map. These changes should be
outlined within the visual timeline
and will be assessed for accuracy,
conventions, and neatness. The
descriptions must address …
The original 13 British colonies
Treaty of Paris
Proclamation of 1763
Revolutionary War
1787 Northwest Ordinance
Treaty of Greenville Louisiana
Purchase
Florida Cession
Texas Annexation
Oregon Country
Mexican Cession
Gadsden Purchase
Map Resources:
1. Student Atlas of the World
2. Historical Atlas of the United
States
3. History textbook and notes
4. Website: University of Texas
Library http://www.lib.utexas.
edu/maps/histus.html
Notes for Description- (Turn in for
credit). Include the… who, what,
when, why. Be sure you address
how the event changed the
borders of the United States.
EventDate Notes
The 13 British colonies
Treaty of Paris
Proclamation of 1763
Revolutionary War
1787 Northwest Ordinance
Treaty of Greenville
Louisiana Purchase
Florida Cession
Texas Annexation
Oregon Country
Mexican Cession
Gadsden Purchase
Culminating Activity
Following the culmination of the
maps, students present their
information to the class. They
must be prepared to answer
questions related to the changes.
Evaluation Method
Students will be assessed by
their peers through a scale and
checklist, as well as by their
teacher using the attached rubric.