Chances are you have seen a timeline before--maybe in world history class or when you were studying the American revolution in 8th grade. But most people have never thought that we have our own timelines, just waiting to be created!
This activity gives you the chance to make your own timeline, all about your life and the events surrounding it. Follow these simple directions to make a timeline of your life, emphasizing your own history and how you have spent the time in your life. Just follow the steps below:
Make a list of important events in your life. There are no right or wrong answers here. Whatever is important to you belongs on your timeline. Here are some examples: the day you were born, you lost your first tooth, when you moved to another city or state, your ballet recital, a soccer tournament that your team won. Anything that matters to you belongs on the list.
Now, go through the list and write next to each item the day, month, and year that this event occurred. If you can't remember the exact day, ask mom or dad or someone else who would know. If no one knows, just write down the month or year.
You will need some paper now. Computer paper works fine, especially the kind that is already joined together. If you don't have that, just get 4 or 5 pieces of construction paper and tape them together on the short sides. They can be all white or different colors if you like. Look at the picture below for an example.
Now you will need to make the actual line. Take a thick black permanent marker and a yardstick. Measure about 4 1/4 inches down the first sheet and make a dot. Do the same thing on the 3rd sheet. Now join the dots together with a big line. Make sure the line extends all the way down the papers.
Make hash marks for the year you were born on the first sheet and one for the current year on the last sheet. The divide all the other sheets up evenly by year. Now you can start locating and labeling some of your important events. Here is an example from my timeline:
If you have photographs, you can glue them right next to the events on your timeline. For your first day of kindergarten, you might use your school picture. You can also draw pictures of the events on your timeline, or glue on ticket stubs or other souvenirs.
Use your imagination! Have all of your friends make timelines. Make a timeline that goes 10 years in advance and continue to add on important events in your life. Hang your timeline above your bed or on the back of your door so you can look at it. Make a timeline that is tall instead of long. Use glitter and stickers to decorate it.
When you are done, roll it up and tie it with a ribbon or rubberband. Put it somewhere safe! In many years, this simple timeline will be a great source of fond memories and recollections.
