Timeline rubric: grades K–2, 3–5 and 6–8
This timeline rubric scores events in the right order, accurate dates, even spacing or a scale, short explanations of each event, and the pictures. Grades 3–5 and 6–8 use four levels with points, with order and accuracy counting twice; K–2 uses three levels in plain words, with no points. Print it, copy it into Google Docs, or open it in the rubric maker to change any cell.
Grades K–2
3 levels, 4 criteria, no points (a switch in the maker adds them).
| Criteria | Wow! | Yes | Not yet |
|---|---|---|---|
| In order | All my events go from first to last. | Most of my events are in order. | My events are mixed up. |
| Dates or times | Every event has a date, age or time. | Some events have a date, age or time. | My events have no dates or times. |
| My words | I wrote a sentence about every event. | I wrote words about some events. | I did not write about my events. |
| My pictures | Every event has a picture that matches. | Some events have a picture that matches. | I have no pictures, or they do not match. |
- I can put my events in order from first to last.
- I can write when each thing happened.
- I can write a few words about each event.
- I can draw pictures that match my events.
Grades 3–5
4 levels, 4 criteria, 20 points in all.
| Criteria | Exceeds4 points | Meets3 points | Approaching2 points | Beginning1 point | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Order and accuracycounts ×2 | Eight or more events, all in the right order, with every date correct. | Six or more events in order, with dates that are correct or nearly so. | Some events are out of order, or several dates are wrong. | Events are mostly out of order or have no dates. | / 8 |
| Spacing | Evenly marked intervals, with every event placed where its date falls. | Intervals are marked, and most events sit near the right spot. | Events are evenly spaced no matter the time between them. | No intervals, and events are crowded or scattered. | / 4 |
| Explanations | Each event has one or two sentences in my own words telling what happened and why it matters. | Each event has a short sentence telling what happened. | Some events have only a title, or the words are copied. | Events have no explanations. | / 4 |
| Visuals and neatness | A clear title, neat lettering, and a picture for most events that adds information. | A title, readable lettering, and pictures for some events. | Hard to read in places; few pictures or no title. | Messy and hard to read, with no title or pictures. | / 4 |
- I can put accurate events and dates in the right order.
- I can space events so the gaps show how much time passed.
- I can explain each event in my own words.
- I can add pictures and a title that make my timeline easy to read.
Grades 6–8
4 levels, 5 criteria, 24 points in all.
| Criteria | Exceeds4 points | Meets3 points | Approaching2 points | Beginning1 point | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Order and accuracycounts ×2 | Ten or more key events, all correctly ordered and dated, chosen to show the big story of the topic. | Eight or more key events, correctly ordered and dated. | Some events are minor or out of order, or several dates are wrong. | Few events, many out of order or wrongly dated. | / 8 |
| Scale | A stated, consistent scale with labeled intervals; gaps and clusters of events are easy to see. | A consistent scale with labeled intervals and events placed correctly. | A scale is used but is uneven, or several events are misplaced. | No scale; spacing does not reflect time. | / 4 |
| Explanations | Each entry explains the event and its cause or effect, linking it to at least one other event. | Each entry explains what happened and why it matters. | Entries list facts without explaining their importance. | Entries are missing or copied. | / 4 |
| Sources | Lists three or more reliable sources in a consistent format and notes where they disagree. | Lists two or more reliable sources. | Lists one source or sources that are not reliable. | No sources listed. | / 4 |
| Design | A clear title, consistent layout, and visuals with captions that add to the story. | A title, neat layout and visuals that fit the events. | The layout is cluttered, or visuals are missing or off topic. | Hard to read or follow. | / 4 |
- I can choose important events and date them accurately from reliable sources.
- I can draw my timeline to a scale that shows time accurately.
- I can explain each event and how it connects to others.
- I can list the sources I used to check my dates.
- I can design a timeline that is clear and easy to follow.
When to use it
- A history unit, a biography, or a timeline of a student's own life.
- A science timeline, such as a life cycle or the steps of an invention.
- Give it out with the assignment so students plan their spacing before they draw.
What to say to students
- Check every date in two places before you write it down.
- Measure your line first and decide how much space one year gets.
- For each event, tell what happened and why it matters in a sentence or two.
Related
The criteria are generic and written for this site, with no standards codes, so they fit any curriculum. Open one in the maker to change a word, add a row or switch to a single-point rubric; what you change stays in your browser.