I am about to start teaching my kiddos the Mystery of History program and am getting so excited. Our family is starting a month early so that we can complete the first seven chapters which the co-op isn't teaching due to time constraints during the year.
In Mystery of History she suggests a sewing board timeline. However, this is going to be too cumbersome to carry to co-op back and forth each week. So the group has decided on doing a notebook. My friend Carol sent me some pictures of her son's notebook to show us an example.
She used an 11x17 three ring binder with cardstock pages. This is the best case scenario due to the size of the timeline.
I priced the notebooks at Office Max. They don't carry them so you have to order them as well as the cardstock that goes into the binder. Below is that info with item numbers.
-11x17 White 3-Ring Binder Item # 21662924 26.99
-A box of White 80 lb Cardstock (80 lb. 3 Reams x 250 ct) # 21178734 29.99
(You only need one ream for all THREE years of Mystery of History) so this should be split with someone else in the group if you decide to go this route.)
Shipping is free at Office Max if you order over $50 so go in with somebody to avoid shipping. You can do this all in the store or online.
or...
What I have done (to save $$$) is...
I purchased an 11x14 sketchbook at Michaels. It has an all black front cover and is spiral bound. It cost 27.99. I used a 50% off MIchael's coupon to make it approx. 15.00. There was also a $3 off mail in rebate. You can get an 11x14 hardbound sketchbook for 21.99 which is a bit cheaper then the 27.00. (The spiral bound will lay flat but it is more expensive.) The nice thing about this is that the pages are included. They aren't as heavy as cardstock but are heavier then normal paper.
**** To get a 50% off Michael's coupon you can join there mailing List and they will email you a coupon upon registration!
http://www.michaels.com/art/online/homeThis is the coupon that I used.
I then went to Home Depot and purchased 1 inch painting tape for $3.00. I used the tape to make the actual time line in the book. You could use a marker for this and save the money.
I have researched many different ways to layout the years of the timeline. I have decided to make every two pages a 100 year span. I recommend you doing the same. Imagine two pages open from the left side to the right side will be 100 years. That means you will need 51 pages for this year. The book I bought has over 100 pages. So I will be using this book for all four years of the program. (FYI.. you will only need about 80 pages for all four years.) The reason I am doing it this way is so that the children get an exact measurement of time. Instead of one two page spread being 1000 year time span and then turn the page and it is 100 year time span do to a busy "history making" year.
By the way, I have decided to do one book for the family. Both of my kiddos are in the same class so they will be placing the figures on the timeline together. If you have different kids in two classes maybe they can hand off the book or get two timelines per child. Just something to think about.
Also, the author recommends getting the pre-printed timeline figures called
"Creation to Christ (Beginning to 1st Century AD - World History)"
The price of this is 19.95. If you don't purchase these then your kiddos will be drawing the pictures in a paperdoll shape that is provided in the book. I purchased these and I am SO glad I did. They are really intricate designs and are very recognizable. The kids still get to color them.
Here is a link to some sample figures.
http://www.homeschoolinthewoods.com/HTTA/NewFigures-Sampler.pdfYou can purchase them here.
http://www.themysteryofhistory.com/shop_mohstore.shtmlThere are other places that sell them as well.
Here are the other items that you will need to purchase for this class.
-Three Ring Binder (Normal Size) I got mine on sale for under $1.00
-8 Dividers (This will be for each continent) I purchased white dividers fo $1.50 at Walmart.
-Sticky Tabs. You don't need many of these. These will be used to mark the index cards that need to be memorized. I think there are like 12 for this year.
-Oxford Index Card Binder. This is a little three ring binder that holds the index cards. It comes w/ cards already in it. You will need more then what it comes with but not until near the end of the year. I bought an Office Max kind that was 3.50. However, I think I am going to return it because it doesn't look big enough. The book suggests Oxford. Also, something to think about. 3x5 or 4x6. I purchased 4x6 cards and a 4x6 binder. I like that there is more room for them to write. This is entirely up to you.
Fine tip markers and colored pencils. (You will be using them to color in the different figures for the timeline and for mapping.)
I hope that helps some of you who are starting the curriculum! The children are going to get so much from this class! (And me too!!)
Please let me know if you have any questions at all!
We will be posting our progress during the year so check back often!
