Timeline questions

[Mom2Monkeys]

DD has expressed a desire for a more visual timeline (in her words, "more attention grabbing"). We're starting Bigger...would you say Veritas Press history and/or Bible cards would work well...just using the ones we need. Or History Through The Ages Timeline figures? Something else? It has to be something I can find at a good price used. I've been thinking about this tonight and coudn't come up with my own answer so I'm coming to you creative minds!

She has double doors on her closet and it would be nice to post it all up there for her so she can see it regularly. Right now, we have to keep ours hidden from "the monster" so it doesn't get looked at much. (that monster would be my 2yo )

I'm trying to appease her since she has some interest although I'm perfectly content doing it the way it says in the guide! We have it taped to the back of our dry erase board that we pull out for lessons.

[FiveLittlePeaches]

Hi Mom2monkeys,

Beautiful Feet has an early American history timeline for $5.00 that might be of interest. Go to bfbooks.com, under "shopping", there in a timeline option. It is about 6 feet in length, and I think the kids are supposed to color it in. I'm not sure if it's completely compatible with Bigger, but it should hit the main points.

Good luck in your search, and I'll be interested in what others recommend.

Joy

[my3sons]

Tamara,

When we've used preprinted things, I've noticed my ds likes them at first because they are visually appealing and more neatly done than his own cards/pictures would be - but then, he seems to forget them easily because he didn't invest any thought in making them. When he is making his own cards, I can tell he considers exactly how he will draw each thing he is asked to draw for his timeline/notebooking, and because of this he remembers it well. Also, the labeling he does himself helps him retain more (you know how once you write something, you remember it better ). The homemade timelines make sure dc personally invest their own thoughts, stamp of individuality, and time in them, and that has made a difference in my ds's ability to retain information. When everyone's timeline looks exactly the same, I think some of the learning is lost, but that's just been my experience. Just something to consider!

In Christ,
Julie

[Mom2Monkeys]

Hi Julie, thanks for your thoughts. I perfectly understand exactly what you mean! It makes perfect sense! However, my dd has always been "unique". She has no interest in the timeline as is, and being a perfectionist, she won't draw or write in those little spaces for fear it won't be just right (this is something we are working on). She would be very interested in something she could color and then write the name/date along with it and put it up on her closet doors to be seen. She's very visual and the visual cues provided with our little home made one are not cuing her memory, although something with more detail or perhaps even a picture of the person would be a memory imprint for her. She wants to draw very detailed little pictures but just isn't capable. She seems to know that's what she needs to recall. Her mind has always worked so differently than mine! So, although I agree with you and that's what would work for me and most kids , it's not working for her this time around. Maybe by the time we get to Preparing and have a more involved timeline, it will be just right. This year though, I think she needs something to spark her interest and memory a little more. That would actually get her more involved and taking part in it!

I am still on the great timeline search though...she might have to settle! I can only find Sonlight 3 or 3+4, Beautiful Feet (price has doubled!), Veritas Press (don't know if I need Bible or History or both to make it work), and something else I can't recall right now. I'm not sure which ones would best cover the things we need though...

[my3sons]

You'll know your dd best, Tamara! I hope all is going well for you healthwise, and also praying for you as you settle in your new home.

In Christ,
Julie

[Carrie]

Tamara,

The timeline is one area of HOD that is harder to replace with something else beside what is written in the guide. Math, grammar, and spelling are easily subbed in and out within our guides, but the history-related parts of our guides are usually very necessary to the plans and are specifically written to match our history spines.

Having a discussion of other timeline alternatives on the HOD board starts to be confusing to those who are looking at HOD as they begin to think that a timeline is not included in our plans. So, I'll leave the hunt for your own timeline alternative up to you and close the discussion of a substitute out on the HOD board.

Blessings,
Carrie

[Mom2Monkeys]

I apologize Carrie. On my hunt to find a matching people/events timeline, I find that nothing covers our history like HOD does! My dd will have to step up and jump in there! She loves the timeline discussion but I think it's just her fear of "messing it up" that keeps her from enjoying it (and of little brother messing it up!). And there I was trying to make it easier for her with something she could just color and put on a wall.
I love your timeline ideas and sorry if I misled anyone. My dd is just weird at times...LOL. Sometimes I find myself giving into it when I'm stretched thin. But, I'm going to work hard to have her work on things in the guide just the way they are, b/c I've seen the results of doing things the HOD way and LOVE it! Your timeline ideas are winners in my book! I will have to work on dd's perfectionism and I'm sure she'll benefit from my keep on keepin' on with HOD's wonderful lessons as-is.

I have to say this applies to more than just the timeline...as I find myself stretched thin, stressed, exausted and in a panic I tend to start searching for things to make life easier (schooling specifically), I find there is nothing better than all things HOD! R&S, Singapore,RME, etc...there's nothing better! You've chosen the best of everything and made all the plans just right. I'm sorry if I've made someone think we weren't happy with any part of HOD.

[Mom4Him]

Thank-you, Carrie, for clearing up the timeline "confusion"- I was worried I would have to search for something- but I am so glad this is included in HOD & trust that what you have planned will be perfect for my children when the time comes!

[Carrie]

Ladies,

I'm so glad that we've clarified this point, as I've had many questions about the timeline lately. Tamara, I appreciated your response so much too.

Blessings,
Carrie

[Kathleen]

Tamara,

Just an idea for the Bigger timeline... Grant found after a couple of weeks that he preferred to write in the date first in his timeline box, followed by the name of the person or event. This let him see how much room was left for his picture. I read through the timline box in the guide as written. Then, I'd tell him the date, the name, and remind him what he got to draw to go with it. You could also remind her that with the small boxes for her timeline, her drawings can be really simple! Maybe if you let her know that the timline isn't for anyone else to look at and understand, but she (and you) can look back at it later and remember all the "heroes" you've read about this year and the way God used them in our country, it will let her enjoy it more.

I was totally a perfectionist as a child that didn't want to try anything I didn't think I could do perfectly. I hated drawing anything for this reason...and now regret it. Comments like those I mentioned above are what have freed me up to be willing to enjoy something I can't do perfectly. (Unfortunately I was in college before I got over this.) My husband is great at this kind of "coaching" with our kids. When we were first married he even got me to play on a softball team with him (something I know I wasn't good at ). We had a blast, and I'm so glad that I can play with my kids now.

Keep at your encouragement with your little gal. You'll both be glad you did!

Kathleen