How do you Timeline?

Everyone likes to make timelines, right?  I mean they are super useful for any number of activities and when studying the American Revolution, well, they fit in quite nicely.  So, I asked my students to make a timeline with several of the most important events that took place during this time.


I didn't want a straight line timeline though, so we did something a bit different.  I had them make hidden door timelines!

Here is how we did it.

The kids created a line space in the middle of a piece of construction paper.  Then, I had them measure out the "doors" and then cut three of the four edges on the doors.  Honestly....this was hard.  So I have made a little preprinted template for you (that you can use for ANY period of time, not just the Revolution)  Click here to get it.  I would recommend copying it on cardstock or construction paper.  The thick paper will just work best for this.  Have the kids cut along the dotted line and you should be ok. 

Then, the students glued the "door" paper onto a second piece of construction paper so that there was a writing space.  Visualize the completed one in the picture without the drawings and you can see what I mean.  :)

Next, I asked the students to think of four lead up events, four during events, and two after events of the war that they personally thought were important to tell the story of the Revolution.  They wrote the dates on the doors, and drew pictures of those events.







Inside the flap they wrote a brief summary of the event with enough detail so that I was sure they understood it.










When I hung them on the board, I did need to add a little staple to the top ones so they didn't fall down.  But other than that, I am in love.  :)  They really look cute and just different enough to catch my eye.

What have you done with a timeline to make it a bit "different" than the norm?

Here is one other idea I did last year.   Tell me what YOU have done!