We originally started out with a large timeline on our hallway wall. This worked for a short time, but I found that the wall wasn’t large enough. We have used a variety of other timelines in our years of homeschooling as well: fold up accordion style timelines, and a notebook where we filed work according to chronological order.

We never felt satisfied, however, with any of these ways of recording the historical, scientific, or art history events. That is when I decided to come up with our own timeline book.

“This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link. Please see my disclosure for more details.”

Making a Creative History Timeline Book

Having a timeline of historical events is important for children so that they can visually see how events relate to each other. Not only major historical events, but scientific discoveries, inventions, important people, and art history movements and artists as well.

“Record not only major historical events, but scientific discoveries, inventions, important people, art history movements, artists, and composers as well.”

I wanted this book to be with my children throughout their entire school career. So I decided it would have to be pretty large (over 100 pages) and sturdy! Be prepared if you download this timeline book that it is very long. You may want to print the pages for the history period that you are studying.

Should you use a History Timeline Book in your Homeschool?

We decided to begin making a new timeline in a book this year. I created this timeline book as a resource for my children, but wanted to share it with others so that they could benefit from seeing how history unfolds as well. It follows the order and colors of the History Curriculum: The Story of the World” by Susan Wise Bauer. My kids really like listening to the CDs by Jim Weiss.

I use a variety of living history books alongside the Story of the World. I think that is what clicks for us for now. As my children get older, I may change things a bit.

While we do not exclusively use “The Story of the World” by Susan Wise Bauer, I decided to model the time periods after this curriculum. You will see that there are four main periods and they are organized by the colors from “The Story of the World.” However, these pages will work with any history curriculum that you are using. Also for those who want to save on colored ink, simply choose to print the History Timeline Book in grayscale.

You can find The Story of the World by clicking the links below:

The story of the world: Ancient times, from the earliest Nomads to the last Roman emperor history for the classical child, Vol. 1

The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child, Volume 2 Audiobook: The Middle Ages: From the Fall of Rome to the Rise of the Renaissance, Revised Edition (9 CDs)

The Story of the World, Vol. 3 Audiobook, Revised Edition: History for the Classical Child: Early Modern Times

Story of the World, Vol. 4 Audiobook, Revised Edition: History for the Classical Child: The Modern Age (Story of the World, 8)

MEGATEK Portable CD Player Boombox with FM Radio, Bluetooth, and USB Port | Clear Stereo Sound | CD-R/RW and MP3 CDs Compatible | 3.5mm Aux Input and Headphone Jack | Backlit LCD Display – Black

Here are samples of what the History Timeline Book pages look like below:

Continue to scroll down to download your FREE timeline Book!

Instructions for using this FREE PDF History Timeline Book

To use these for your personal homeschool, simply print out the pages on whichever type of paper you prefer, cardstock or a high quality printing paper. Ensure that you are printing landscape. You can bind the book landscape or purchase a folder to put your pages in. I bought a landscape 3-ring binder on Amazon to put my pages in. See below for a link to the landscape 3 ring binder that we use.

It may be wise to only print up the pages for the time period that you are learning about. There are approximately 130 pages total in this History Timeline book, so it is a lot to print up at one time.

Updated FRONT COVER for History Timeline Book

Supplies you may need/want for your History Timeline Book:

The number one item you may want to purchase is a landscape binder for your timeline pages. I use the one below from Amazon.

I also like to use a high quality paper that is thicker so that markers and pens don’t bleed through.

My children often draw and write down the history event on circle stickers. Having stickers is an easy way to stick in those history events. No glue or glue stick needed.

QuickFit Heavy-Duty Landscape 3-Ring Binder, Round Ring, 8 1/2 Inches by 11 Inches, 1 Inch, White

HP Paper Printer | 8.5 x 11 Paper | Premium 32 lb | 1 Ream – 500 Sheets | 100 Bright | Made in USA – FSC Certified | 113100R

Prismacolor Premier Manga Illustration Markers, Assorted Tips, Black & Sepia, 8 Pack

2 Inch Round Labels – Permanent, White Matte – Candle, Lid, Product, Favor Labels – Pack of 2,000 Circle Stickers, 100 Sheets – Inkjet/Laser Printers – Online Labels

Swingline 3 Hole Punch, Desktop Puncher for Binder, 20 Sheet Punch Capacity, SmartTouch, Black/Silver (74133)

What do I put on my History Timeline Pages?

There are a variety of ways to begin filling in your history timeline pages. As you are learning something that occurred in history, you can have your child draw a picture on a small plain sticker and place that in the book. You can use the lines provided to write in the event with a brief description.

Rainbow Resources sells great history stickers that you can place in your book. See those here.

Here is a great website that I have found helpful as we began filling in our Timeline Book:

Homeschooling 2E has printable timeline figures. We glue many of these pictures in our Timeline Book.

This FREE download contains:

1. 3 versions of A History Timeline front cover
2. Color Coded instructions for the history pages
3. Ancient History pages
4. Medieval History pages
5. Early Modern History pages
6. Modern History pages
7. “The Future” Pages

This History Timeline Book is 140 pages total. Print only the pages for the time period that you are studying to save on paper and ink.

Epson EcoTank ET-2720 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer with Scanner and Copier – Black

This printer has been one of the best investments I have ever made in regards to homeschooling. Investing in a high quality printer has been wonderful for our family. The Epson Ecotank is wonderful because it prints beautifully, however the ink lasts such a long time. Refill are also very inexpensive.

Printable History Timeline Pages

I begin with 7,000 B.C. and go through A.D. 2034+. AND, just for fun, I added “The Future” into the timeline book. You can use these pages to make educated predictions of discoveries, inventions or events that may occur. The increments for each time period are below.

More tips and tricks for the History Timeline Notebook

Don’t forget to add in important events from your own lives; such as weddings, births, etc. Using actual pictures (small) and gluing them in will help your child visualize the events and people in their history timeline books.

Date increments for History Timeline Notebook pages:

• Ancient History: 7000+ BC – 5000 B.C. — 500 year increments
• Ancient History: 5000- 2400 B.C. — 200 year increments
• Ancient History: 2300 B.C. – 900 B.C. — 100 year increments
• Ancient History: 800 B.C. – 120 B.C. — 20 year increments
• Ancient History: A.D. 100 – 400 – 10 year Increments
• Medieval History: A.D. 400-990 — 10 year increments
• Medieval History: A.D. 1000- 1600 — 5 year increments
• Early Modern History: 1600-1800 –2 year increments
• Early Modern History: AD 1801-1850 — 1 year increments
• Modern History: AD 1850 – AD 2035 — 1 year increments
• The Future: (this is just a fun way to think about what will happen in the future- use if it suits you) 5 year increments

I have added one blank timeline page at the end of each history period. Copy that page as many times as you want and add it in where you feel it may be appropriate for your studies.

SAVE TIME AND MONEY BY DOWNLOADING THIS FREE RESOURCE! History Timeline Printable

Here are your FREE HISTORY TIMELINE PRINTABLES!!! Subscribe Below and you will receive your FREE resource.

If you want the colorful front cover, scroll up to download the cover only. Subscribe to receive the History Timeline Book

Please feel free to share this with others. My goal is to help others where I have had teaching struggles. I hope that this resource is helpful to you!

For more fun homeschooling ideas click the button below.

How do you plan to use the timeline book? Do you have any tips or suggestions that would make this timeline more effective?

I value your feedback- LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW PLEASE

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“This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link. Please see my disclosure for more details.”

What is nature journaling?

Nature journaling is the practice of writing or drawing the observations that are made when outside. These observations can be plants, rock forms, animals, weather, or anything else that happens in nature.

In the early 1800s, they led the exploration of the west. This included the newly purchased Louisiana Territory and all the way to the Pacific Coast. All along the way, they kept very detailed journals so that they could share with President Jefferson of the animals, plants, and landscapes they had seen.

Today Nature Journaling has gained a lot of popularity in homeschooling. It is something that I do regularly with my children and I know a lot of other families do it as well.

For more information on Lewis and Clark, check out the website AmericanHistoryforKids.com.

Check out some more of the original images of the Lewis and Clark Expedition Journals on Yale’s Website.

So, let’s make learning more memorable and add creativity to our day by creating our own vintage style journal and filling it with the things we discover on our journey through history (or life in general).

Creating your own vintage style journal is the perfect way to record and document your observations of the world and in any lesson that you are learning about. Moms, you can make your own as well.

Here are the Directions (simple and easy) to make your own Vintage style Nature Journal

Side Note: This activity is particularly delightful if you are a coffee lover like me. Your house, fingers, and paper will smell like delicious coffee

What you will need to make your own Vintage Nature Journal:

For the Journal:

brown paper bag

computer paper 8.5 x 11 inch

string or rope

8.5 x 11 inch piece of thin cardboard (this could be optional-depending if you want a hard back cover or not)

cold coffee (preferably strong)

towel (an old one that you do not care about)

paper towels or cotton balls

scissors or hole punch.

For the “ink”:

black paint

water

small container

feathers for writing (optional)

Karhood Quill Pen and Ink Set – Feather Calligraphy Dip Pen with Wax Seal Stamp Kit and 5 Nibs (Red)

TommoT 100 Pcs 6-8 Inch Natural Large White Goose Feathers for Dream Catcher Crafts and Clothing Decoration

Winsor & Newton Calligraphy Ink, 30ml (1-oz) Bottle, Black

HP Printer Paper | 8.5 x 11 Paper | Copy &Print 20 Lb | 1 Bulk Pack – 750 Sheets | 92 Bright | Made in USA – FSC Certified | 200030R

Amazon Basics Multipurpose, Comfort Grip, PVD Coated, Stainless Steel Office Scissors, 3-Pack, Purple, Green & Gray

Instructions:

If your kids are anything like mine, they love to get into the mess of making crafts. So let them get messy. Clear off your kitchen table (or any area where you don’t mind there being a mess). Cover it with towels (towels that you DO NOT care about because coffee will stain) or you can cover it with a newspaper.

Let’s Get Started Making Our Journal!

1. Rip the edges off of your paper to give an old look.

2. Lay out several white sheets of paper on the towels.

3. Get your cup of cold coffee and dip cotton balls or paper towels into it. Rub the coffee all over one side of the paper. Be sure to put extra coffee on the torn edges. It will make them darker.

4. Liberally apply coffee to the other side of the white paper

5. Allow about an hour to dry. Depending on humid the air is where you live.

6. While the paper is drying, cut a piece of brown paper bag that is approximately 9.5 inches by 12 inches.

7. Wrinkle the brown paper bag by crumbling it into a ball, opening it up, crumbling it into a ball, over and over and over. You want the texture of the brown paper bag to be like a worn leather.

8. Check your “stained paper” to see if it is dry. If it is, stack it up and fold it in half (hamburger style).

9. Either cut holes along the fold of the paper or use a hole punch

10a. Cut corresponding holes along the fold of the brown paper bag

10b. If you want to have a hard cover book, you will glue the brown paper bag around the piece of thing cardboard and fold in half. Cut holes along the fold.

11. Using the string, bind your pages and cover together. Tie a knot to finish it off.

Use Your Lovely vintage journal and have fun!

My kids not only wanted the Journal inspired by the journals of Meriwether Lewis, they wanted more journals so that they could write stories, and draw their own pictures (nothing connected to what we were learning, so we made more (LOTS more). I found that I was going through making lots of rounds of stained paper.

Mapmaking skills

These journals are a great way to practice mapmaking skills. We have purchased a couple of books on mapmaking that have inspired us to create interesting and unique maps.

Go outside and really explore.

Books we use for inspiration:

Map Art Lab: 52 Exciting Art Explorations in Mapmaking, Imagination, and Travel (Lab Series)

Fantasy Mapmaker: How to Draw RPG Cities for Gamers and Fans

Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling

Merriam-Webster’s Student Atlas – Features full-color physical, political, & thematic maps

Nature Journaling

You can create a journal specifically for nature journaling or field trips to record findings and things learned. These little vintage journals are so fun to nature journal in. It does not matter the age of the child. They are small enough and light enough to travel with.

Check out this Nature Journal resource: Law’s Guide to Teaching Nature Journaling

You can even use thicker art paper instead of computer paper that way your child (or you) can water color or draw in them with markers.

The most important thing to remember is to make this fun and create wonderful memories with your kids

Once my kids finish filling in their vintage nature journals, I will update this post with additional pictures!

Side Note for Moms.

You can always create one of these for yourself so that you can journal and get creative! My good friend makes journals from junk and they are just marvelous and inspiring. You can get inspired or buy one by clicking here.

Sooooo…. Did your children enjoy creating their own vintage journal? Will you make your own? Do you like to journal? Let me know, let’s chat!

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A Creative Teaching Series

When I started teaching my kids at home, there was nothing better than watching them light up and get excited when they were learning. History was not always easy to get them excited about until I took the approach of making it come alive. One way that we did that was through dressing up for the time period or historical event we were learning about… or Costumeschooling.

Reading about history, especially through a dry textbook, is anything but engaging. “Mom, why do I have to learn about these people that lived hundreds/thousands of years ago???” is a question that sometimes is asked by children. (I know I asked that question of my teachers).

But when we make history come alive and show them the importance of understanding our past, the desire to learn increases in children. The imagination of children is amazing, so including this into history lessons by dressing up is a way to help them get excited about history.

Another way to make history come alive is through living books (you can read this article here)

This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link. Please see my disclosure for more details.

As homeschool parents, it is important to engage all the senses when teaching and learning. That is why I encourage costume wearing when we are learning. It creates lasting memories. And boy, is it fun!

Most kids enjoy dressing up and living in a world of make-believe, that is why integrating dress-up into homeschooling lessons is so essential and beneficial. Emotionally and physically connecting to moments in history through costumes and dress up can help children appreciate and remember those events. The best part is that it involves their imagination and intellect and you can’t go wrong there!

What is Costumeschooling?

Well, it is a word that I made up to encompass a style of homeschooling where the children dress up for whatever time period they are learning about. Kids feel like they are a part of the history they are learning about.

We even dress up in character with literature that we are reading. Think about it…What is more fun then wearing attire of Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe while we do a unit study on Anne of Green Gables??? Throw in some linament cake and raspberry cordial while you read L.M. Montgomery’s classic and you have for yourself a deep rooted memory of what you are learning. Not to mention fun family memory building time as well.

You can add to the excitement by getting other homeschoolers involved from your community. Host a dress up Civil war era party and invite others to dress up in the time period clothing. Have kids give speeches as different people in history. AND don’t forget to take lots of pictures.

Costumeschooling for History

The possibilities are endless here. You can dress up as often as you would like (or as little) based on whatever history you are learning about. You can attend museums or historical sites in costume and take lots of pictures.

Recite famous speeches in costume.

Memorizing good content has long been popular in homeschool circles. Memory work is often found during morning time (that is when my family does it). After you memorize and amazing speech such as Martin Luther King’s famous “I have a dream” Speech,  Abraham Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address”, or Elizabeth I “Tilbury Speech.” Have your child dress up in character and recite it. Invite a group of people over to witness this momentous time in history or record it on video to watch as a family. I guarantee that your child will never forget the time they gave a speech as Elizabeth I!!!

Costumeschooling for Language arts

Like I mentioned earlier, your children can dress up in character as someone from a book that you are reading. The costumes don’t have to be anything expensive. Simply google or look up on Pinterest for ideas for diy simple costumes that you are trying to create. Go to thrift stores and look for after Halloween deals on constumes.

Constumeschooling for Science

My kids dressed up as important figures in science, Marie Curie and Benjamin Franklin. Each learned important facts from their lives and then we did a short documentary style video of them being interviewed as that person. Because they were so young, it was the cutest thing ever. We laughed till our stomachs hurt as we watched them act on video and answer questions as if they were that important historical figure. Years later, we watch that video and let me tell you, they will never forget who Marie Curie or Benjamin Franklin were or what they accomplished.

Again, this is an opportunity to invite others over and allow the historical figure to present who they are to the others. You can encourage acting and getting into character if the child is comfortable. Try getting involved as a parent. Dress up as your favorite scientist and present who you are to your children

As a teacher, I often dress up as well for the co-op classes that I teach. The children love it. Add in a fun accent and make their learning come alive.

Costumeschooling in Art History

Dressing up and recreating famous art

We did this activity during a covid-19 quarantine challenge. My kids and I (and dad too) really got into this fun idea. We perused through art books and thought about the costumes and clothes that we already had and were able to recreate some pretty famous art. Now, I could have extended the learning, but my kids are young, so we really just had fun with it. In the future I plan to spend more time studying the artist before we re-create it.

Search the internet for ideas from other families.

Here are some of our recreations:

Tips for Creating an Amazing Costumeschooling Environment

Here are a few tips to add dress up to your curriculum:

List out all the major historical periods that you will be covering. If your children are older, have them work out this part with you. Talk about what was worn and start brainstorming possible costumes you can create. You can search online or go to the library for books that have LOTS of pictures.

Visit Living Museums in time period attire

Depending on where you live, there are living museums that you can attend in costume. We have a field trip planned to a colonial farm where we will make butter and do other time period activities. Since we have been learning about early American History, adding the costumeschooling component will add to the richness of this learning field trip. We will take lots of pictures and most likely turn our adventures into our own book. The book will become a fun keepsake that we will reference over and over as we enjoy it through the years.

Don’t Forget the Food!

What is better than eating time period food while dressed up in costume? This is great for both young and older children. Getting them involved in the planning and baking of the food. Allow them to be creative in the presentation of the food. I have collected inexpensive dishes along the way at yard sales and thrift stores that way I can give my children the opportunity to use them without the fear of them breaking great grandma’s wedding china…

Costumeschooling doesn’t have to be expensive

While it is fun to purchase new costumes online or go to a costume store, it isn’t necessary.

I have found some of the best costume attire at thrift stores and yard sales! It is important to have a rough sketch or list of items that you are on the lookout for. I keep a tub and a clothes rack available for all of our costumes readily available so that my children can dress up whenever they would like.

If I am looking for a particular historical era of clothing, I search for authentic pictures and then screen clip them on my phone. I reference them when I go out.

I have found that the Goodwill and Salvation Army are reasonably priced during the Halloween season, so go around that time for good deals.

Make thrift store and yard sale rounds and do some searching often. Get a babysitter or take your kiddos along for the search. Pack your cup of coffee and a snack and have fun. You can even plan a friend date and have some down time while you search for costume treasures :-). Don’t forget to be hunting for used books as well!!!

If you DO have the funding to buy or make costumes (or you want to splurge on a couple), here are my suggestions:

How Do We Store Our Costumes?

I have a smaller house, so we don’t have a ton of space to store things in the house. I keep a rolling clothes rack in the garage of all of our costumes. Some costume accessories are stored in clear plastic tubs and labeled for ease of locating.

DON’T FORGET YOUR CAMERA!!!

Take lots of pictures of your children dressing up. You will not regret it! Even taking videos of them reenacting scenes from history is a fabulous idea.

Some of my fondest memories of school (I went to public school) was when we had dress up days. I remember it like it was yesterday… We had just learned about the California Gold Rush, and my teacher planned an entire week of festivities to celebrate. We planned and organized events, food, songs, plays, and so much more. We dressed up in attire from that time period and had such a wonderful time recreating history. I think of all the reasons why I remember that week like it was yesterday. There are so many reasons but dressing up made the emotional connection for me very real and memorable.

One More Thing…

You can extend your child’s learning by creating books about the historical event or scientist that you are dressed up as. See my post about making books to extend learning.

Chat with me:

Let me know if costumeschooling is a part of your homeschooling routine? Could you add it if not?

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