Western Civilization: Development of Modern Ideas
Portfolio Entry 3: Timeline Sequencing of Events
This portfolio entry is to be given at the end of the unit on Napoleon and the
Napoleonic Empire; it is comprehensive in terms of involving a required sequencing of
major events in European history from the Middle Ages through Napoleon’s rise and
fall.
Objectives
1. List the
twelve events
in their
proper
chronological
order.
2. Describe in
proper
sentence form
the
significance
of each event
in the list.
3. Explain in
proper
paragraph
form the
concept of
cause and
effect by
linking pairs
of events, i.e.,
linking one
event with a
second event
that occurred
later in the
chronological
order.
Beginning
1
The list of
events is out
of
chronological
order; there
are six or
more errors.
The
importance of
fewer than
eight of the
events is
described in
proper
sentence
form.
The
paragraph
links one pair
of events, but
the cause and
effect
relationship
is not clearly
explained.
Developing
2
The majority
of the events
are in
chronological
order; there
are four
errors.
The
importance of
eight of the
events is
described in
proper
sentence
form.
Accomplished
3
Almost all of
events are in
proper
chronological;
there are two
errors.
Exemplary
4
All of the
events are in
chronological
order.
The
importance of
nine to eleven
of the events
is described in
proper
sentence form.
The
importance of
all twelve of
the events is
described in
proper
sentence
form.
The
paragraph
links one pair
of events, and
the cause and
effect
relationship
is clearly
explained.
Two pairs of
events are
linked in two
separate
paragraphs,
i.e., each pair
of events is
explained in a
separate
paragraph. At
least one of
the
paragraphs
clearly
explains the
cause and
effect
relationship.
Two pairs of
events are
linked in two
separate
paragraphs,
i.e., each pair
is explained
in a separate
paragraph.
Both
paragraphs
clearly
explain the
cause and
effect
relationship.
1
Score
Parameters for Portfolio Assessment 3: Timeline Sequencing of Events
1. The classroom teacher will present the following scrambled lists of events to the students.
The students will then individually re-write the list in proper chronological order by writing
out the events in the proper order. Additionally, each student will describe the significance of
each term in one sentence; and each student will write the paragraph(s) explaining how at least
two events relate to each other in terms of cause and effect.
Events:

The French Revolution begins.

Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo paint Renaissance works of art and the Church begins building St.
Peter’s Basilica.

The American Revolution begins and Thomas Jefferson writes the Declaration of Independence listing
human rights.

Louis XIV (14) builds the Palace of Versailles in France.

Napoleon attempts to conquer Europe.

Feudalism develops in Europe as a way of keeping order in society and assigning everyone his or her
duties.

France faces a financial crisis. Louis XVI’s government falls so far into debt that it could not be funded
without a re-structuring of the government’s finances.

The printing press and moveable type are developed in Europe.

Galileo publishes his book on the heliocentric (sun-centered) universe.

Martin Luther publishes his 95-Theses as a complaint against the selling of indulgences. This event marks
a beginning of the Protestant Reformation.

England’s Glorious Revolution leads to the writing of an English Bill of Rights and John Locke’s writings
in support of Parliament’s right to overthrow a bad government.

Henry VIII of England breaks with the Pope and the Church in Rome.
2. The classroom teacher will NOT use the assessment list as a part of any lesson before the
assessment day.
On the other hand, a different scrambled list incorporating five, ten, twenty, or thirty or
more events could be used as practice for this assessment.
3. This portfolio assessment is to be given in class as individual work. It is a closed note
assessment to be completed in one class period.
2