A living timeline is a visual history tool to help homeschoolers get the big picture for exploring and plugging in dates. It is important to note that teaching a timeline walks hand in hand with in depth history studies. Teaching a timeline offers homeschoolers opportunities to explore parts of history they did not know about. Venturing down rabbit holes to find out more about topics they are interested in learning about.
A living timeline is one of the easiest and frugal avenues to teach history. To sum it up simply it is a “timeline” wall. Any large area of wall space will work. But it is a living timeline because each week during history they will add the events they learned onto the timeline. No expensive curriculum is needed. Creating a living timeline offers the opportunity for them to visually see the history and apply it in a hands on manner.
Supplies Needed for a Frugal Living Timeline
For this activity you will need a long wall. We have been working on our timeline all year, and to say the least it is chocked full of information. Painters’ tape is a must so that it doesn’t take any paint off of the wall. Index cards are useful to add the dates, information and draw smaller versions of the events. To be more creative have available crayons, colored pencils and/or markers. Keep all of this in reach each week as you work on your timeline together.
How to Start the Living Timeline Wall
First, measure out the space you will need and run the painters’ tape from the beginning of your timeline to the end. If painters’ tape doesn’t work well or peels off try masking tape or yarn. Anything to create a usable visual timeline.
Next, mark off the beginning date and the end date. For our overall timeline of history we start in the Ancient World and end up in Modern Times. But, as I have mentioned on my facebook page I also use the “Who Was” books and they have timeline pertaining to the person that you are reading about. That also works well for a timeline wall. Attach cards in order along the timeline with the date, event and small picture if desired. Carry the wall down until you reach your anticipated ending for the timeline activity.
How to Make it a “Living” Timeline Display
Use it each week. Every time you do history Use it for discussions, comparison’s, cause and effect statements, and any questions. This becomes a reference point in your homeschool to answer and debate topics. Don’t overcomplicate it.
Use it for multiple age groups. Older kids can work on specific dates and information relative to the history topic. Encourage them to add more to their area, and smaller children can add pictures, words or just dates. This history activity is great for multiple age groups.
Frugal Activities to Bring it to Life
Walk the timeline. Have all of the homeschoolers use if frequently in their lessons. Act out events to encourage a deeper understanding of what was happening. Many times during our history lessons we have dressed up as characters and acted out parts of history. Keep it all flexible. Shop at the goodwill for some “era” clothes because if they want to dress like a pioneer those aren’t easy to find. Another idea is to learn to sew.
Next year, don’t tear it down and start over. Add layers. Try quotes, life events of the people during time, and even details or biographies. Color coding another person’s time and date is another way to layer information. We keep the timeline up to carry over into our music, art and poetry. I like for them to see that events were happening in every area of life.
Choosing to try something new that becomes a daily part of your homeschooling routine doesn’t have to be expensive. As you see from the information I have provided the expenses for this are low. I would encourage you to explore history from your youngest to oldest child.
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