We are currently working through The Mystery of History Vol. 1. It’s been slow going between moves and babies, but we are enjoying it none the less. We are building a timeline as we go through the course as recommended in the book and I thought I would share with you how we have put it together. I have seen many ideas for timelines (I even have a timeline ideas Pinterest board), and this is what we finally settled on.
To make the timeline above, you will need the following supplies:
- 2 tri-fold, corrugated cardboard boards (the size I bought is 28×40″)
- a roll of contact paper (color or pattern of your choice; I choose one that had a stone/marble look to it)
- clear packing tape
- 2×12″ sheets of colored cardstock (I bought them at Michael’s)
- double-sided sticky tape or glue
- timeline figures (we use the History Through the Ages set from Home School in the Woods)
Creation to Christ (Beginning to 1st Century AD – World History)
Resurrection to Revolution (0-1799 AD – World History)Napoleon to Now (1750 AD to Modern Day – World History)America’s History (Explorers to 21st Century AD)Timeline Figures to Accompany The Mystery of History Volume IIITimeline Figures to Accompany The Mystery of History Volume IV
First, I taped the two boards together (end to end) with the clear packing tape. For extra security, tape it on both sides.
Then I cut strips of contact paper to fit the board. Then I called my husband in to help me stick the contact paper to the board. It’s nice to have an extra set of hands when doing this part.
For the lines on the timeline, I cut the sheets of cardstock in half so they are 1×12″ and I stick them, end to end, with double-sided sticky tape to the timeline board. I don’t adhere a new line until we finish one up so I can see how far down to stick the next one (I just eye it; I don’t measure).
And finally, after every three lessons, my kids color and cut out the figures and stick them on with double-sided sticky tape (my kids love that stuff for some reason). I have all the figures for the quarter printed out ahead of time so I don’t have to worry about it in the middle of the lesson.
The Mystery of History Volume IThe Mystery of History Volume IIThe Mystery of History Volume III Student ReaderThe Mystery of History Volume IV
So that’s our Mystery of History timeline. It’s far from done, but that’s the gist of it. Pretty easy to do, plus it folds up nicely so when you aren’t using it you can stick it behind a desk or bookcase or wherever you can find a place for it. Don’t be afraid to just dive in and do it!
I took me awhile to decide on how to do our timeline. At first I thought we would use a book, then I thought we would do something on the wall, then I finally decided on this. I had to let go the mentality that this thing doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to show the historical events in chronological order. And my kids don’t care if it’s perfect anyway.
Do you make a timeline with your history studies?
I’d love to hear about or even see it if you have a link.
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