"To us in particular who are living in one of the great epochs of history it is necessary to know something of what has gone before in order to think justly of what is occurring today." Charlotte Mason
Time-Line Games
We believe time spent studying and learning about people and key events in history is more important than memorizing a long list of dates, and that the chronological order and historical context of events are more critical than the exact dates.
To that end, we have created several exciting Timeline Games. These games help students see history in order and context. Since they are "games," the learning process is interactive and fun, but very effective at the same time. They can be used to introduce a new topic, to reinforce one you’re currently working on, or to review one you’ve already completed.
The games come in laminated and unlaminated formats (Same great game either way).
NOTE: Click here to see an example of Time-Line Game cards and the general rules of the Time-line Games.
The Time-Line Games are also available as downloads on CurrClick.
The game can be played by any number of players, up to 10.3-8 players works really well.
OBJECTIVE
The idea of the game is for a player to get 8 cards in chronological order in their personal timeline on the table in front of them.
START
Each player starts with one card in front of them face up.This is the start of their “timeline”.The remaining cards are face down in a draw pile.
ORDER OF PLAY
The first person draws the top card from the pile and reads the event on it to the player to their immediate left.Play proceeds around the table, one card at a time, in a clockwise manner.
EACH TURN
The “reader” reads the event to the “player” who must guess where that event would fit on his/her timeline.The first time it would just be “before” or “after” the start card.Subsequent times it would be “at the beginning”; “between these 2 cards”; or “at the end”.If the first player guesses correctly, the card is placed in the proper position on their timeline.
If the player guesses incorrectly, the player to their left gets a chance to guess on their own timeline.The opportunity to guess could go all the way around the table to the last player to the right of the reader.(In other words, it’s possible for a card to be guessed by all players except the reader.)If no one answers it correctly by then, it is put at the bottom of the draw pile. (With several players that doesn’t usually happen, since each player gets to see what the incorrect guesses ahead of them are, each time narrowing the possibilities.)
GAME ENDS
The game is over when one player has 8 cards in a row in their timeline.
VARIATIONS
1.For a faster game, a goal number of less than 8 could be set at the beginning of the game.
2.Have the oldest person read all the cards instead of playing.
3.Play with teams of 2 or more.
4.For a more challenging game, play for more cards required in the timeline.
RECOMMENDATIONS
For reinforcing learning, it’s a good idea to have each “reader” announce the date as they award the card to a player.
We have included several blank cards so that you may add your own dates/events to the game.
A timeline is included with the dates we’ve used.Students reviewing it before and/or after games will reinforce their knowledge of statehood history.
Note:If you discover any “critical dates” we’ve left out, feel free to let us know.We may include them in future editions.
