5th grade · Social Studies · Unit 12 of 12
The Americas Through Time
Put the history of the hemisphere in order
What your child practices
Ordering events in the history of the Western Hemisphere, from the founding of Tenochtitlan and Columbus's voyages to independence movements, the Panama Canal and trade agreements.
New York State Learning Standards learning standard: 5.2; 5.3; 5.6 · putting events in the history of the Western Hemisphere in order, from early civilizations and exploration to independent countries
How we explain it
Children can open this short lesson before they practice.
- Find each year and put the smallest first.
- Anchors: Tenochtitlan (1325), Columbus (1492), Tordesillas (1494), Jamestown (1607), Panama Canal (1914), Mexico's constitution (1917).
- If you know only the century, compare the first two digits.
Example: Which happened first: the English found Jamestown or the Panama Canal opens? Jamestown was founded in 1607. The Panama Canal opened in 1914. Answer: the English found Jamestown
The Americas Through Time in New York
In the New York State Learning Standards, this is unit 12 of 12 in 5th grade Social Studies, after Economies & Trade.
Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Which of these happened last?
- The Panama Canal opens
- Canada becomes a country
- John Cabot reaches North America
- Mexico adopts its present constitution
Mexico adopts its present constitution
Hint: Put them in order: John Cabot reaches North America (1497), Canada becomes a country (1867), The Panama Canal opens (1914), Mexico adopts its present constitution (1917).
Question 2
Which of these happened last?
- Slavery ends in Brazil
- Mexico adopts its present constitution
- Mexico wins independence from Spain
- The Declaration of Independence is signed
Mexico adopts its present constitution
Hint: Put them in order: The Declaration of Independence is signed (1776), Mexico wins independence from Spain (1821), Slavery ends in Brazil (1888), Mexico adopts its present constitution (1917).
Question 3
Which of these happened first?
- Balboa sees the Pacific Ocean
- Cortés arrives in Mexico
- The Organization of American States is founded
- The US bans bringing in enslaved people from abroad
Balboa sees the Pacific Ocean
Hint: Put them in order: Balboa sees the Pacific Ocean (1513), Cortés arrives in Mexico (1519), The US bans bringing in enslaved people from abroad (1808), The Organization of American States is founded (1948).
Question 4
Put these events in order, earliest first.
- Canada becomes a country
- Balboa sees the Pacific Ocean
- John Cabot reaches North America
- Tenochtitlan falls to the Spanish
John Cabot reaches North America → Balboa sees the Pacific Ocean → Tenochtitlan falls to the Spanish → Canada becomes a country
Hint: In order: John Cabot reaches North America (1497), Balboa sees the Pacific Ocean (1513), Tenochtitlan falls to the Spanish (1521), Canada becomes a country (1867).
Question 5
Put these events in order, earliest first.
- The Organization of American States is founded
- Cabral claims Brazil for Portugal
- Slavery ends in Brazil
- Cortés arrives in Mexico
Cabral claims Brazil for Portugal → Cortés arrives in Mexico → Slavery ends in Brazil → The Organization of American States is founded
Hint: In order: Cabral claims Brazil for Portugal (1500), Cortés arrives in Mexico (1519), Slavery ends in Brazil (1888), The Organization of American States is founded (1948).
Question 6
Which of these happened last?
- The English found Jamestown
- Canada becomes a country
- Balboa sees the Pacific Ocean
- Pizarro captures the Inca ruler Atahualpa
Canada becomes a country
Hint: Put them in order: Balboa sees the Pacific Ocean (1513), Pizarro captures the Inca ruler Atahualpa (1532), The English found Jamestown (1607), Canada becomes a country (1867).