History timelines are a terrific way for helping students get a sense of time; see the significance of events; observe cause and effect, and how events interrelate. The best way to make this “come alive” is to have your child create their own. I have asked Molly, one of the homeschool moms whom I have had the privilege of reviewing her daughter’s work, if she would share how she has chosen to represent events.  She calls it “Calico History”. As you will see, she is creative and I think her scenes are purrfect! 🙂

These are stuffed animals called Calico Critters. Notice the Statue of Liberty. 🙂

The Westward Expansion of the United States

The space helmets are plastic balls that hold prizes you get out of a candy vending machine. I wonder if those are moon rocks?

Some tips from Molly:

You can use any toy your children like: Legos, plastic animals, Barbies, etc.

Let your children get creative with how to portray things and how to fabricate costumes, etc. This is a good problem solving exercise!

We used all kinds of stuff, including things we found outside, pictures we printed from Internet sites, craft supplies, Playdough, old bed sheets…use your imagination!

I am not an especially “crafty” person. I can’t sew more than to reattach a button. You don’t have to be “artsy” to have fun with this…playing and learning with your children is the best part of it!

Thank you for allowing me to share this,  Molly!

~Lisa