I use them for memory work and will also begin using them for copywork and prepared dictation lessons in the fall. You Tube has videos of hand motions that can be used in order to memorize the timeline, if that is a goal.
Found a clip of hand motions here. What do you all think of doing this? What is the point of doing this with kids? Just wanting to discuss, not criticizing at all.
Maybe the hand motions are supposed to help with memorizing the cards, I know the cards are supposed to give them history “pegs” to aid in learning/discussing history.
Yeah, I get that the hand motions are to aid in memorization. But, what I’m wondering is the point of memorizing the entire timeline? Is this something we as teachers should set as goal? Not sure how I feel about this and was wanting others’ thoughts.
Funny you asked, I have some of their science cards and they are wonderful quality. They come laminated and are sturdy! I use those for my kids to just look through for fun on our science day. I hope to use them for later when we talk of different science concepts.
The history cards are a new product. I’m sure they are similar in good quality and detail. I like their products!
Our two youngest are finishing up a year with CC. The hand motions do help with the memorization. But, the goal is to eventually drop the motions and just have the timeline memorized.
The purpose of memorizing the timeline is so that literature and history texts (even conversations) can be quickly placed in time. It’s really cool how it works. I have a friend whose daughter memorized the timeline a while back and said that the main reason she was able to pass portions of her history CLEP test was because her mother had timeline memorization as a family requirement for Homeschool graduation. :0)
We did not master timeline this year, but it will be part of our day until we do. Not sure it’s very CM. It’s just something that our family wants to do. Because we’ve gone through the timeline this year, (btw, it is certainly not as exhaustive as making a Book of the Centuries) it will be quite easy as just a short review time each day until we master it. During CC, it takes 20 weeks to get through 160 cards (8/wk). We will do the entire timeline each week by reviewing it in sections of 40 cards per day M-Th and all on F. You must understand that we are very familiar with it and can say it quite quickly.
I hope that makes sense. We have enjoyed the cards as a world history spine. When I read over the TOC of the middle ages spine, it was so familiar because of our timeline memory work. Module 4 will “flesh out” that section of the timeline for us. It’s already there, just needs more exciting details added in at a deeper level. The timeline cards actually act as a sort of internal world history calendar of sorts.
Oh, the new CC cards are much sturdier. Laminated nicely. Have a mini timeline on back. Also show geographical location on back. I like VP pictures better though. I do think the CC cards cover more of the global events than the VP cards. But, right now, those who are continuing with CC will be selling their VP cards to “upgrade” to CC cards. I
CC campuses will only use CC cards as of the 2015/16 school year. So, if you’ve been wanting VP cards, they will be showing on eBay and other used sites for half or less than the cost of new. I like using the VP cards and see no reason to relearn another timeline as we won’t be in CC.
The science Acts and facts cards are used similarly. The memory and an extention of it is on the back of each nicely laminated card. Can be used in centers, for copywork, or prepared dictation.
Great info Becca! Now I see why there is an emphasis on timeline retention. Something to consider when I plan out next year’s recitation passages and memory work.
There are 4 families in our group. We have a few ways to review with the kids when we get together. One is to have races. We use two sets of cards (usually just the current week or previous week to check for mastery. Girls vs. Boys (or, kids vs. Moms!) race to see how fast they shuffled cards can be put into order. Sometimes, 2 kids will want to race against each other, too.
The other review game we used at the end of class (with a new set of cards) was to mix the cards up, pass them out (we had to involve moms and kids to get 8 people), and have one or two children move everyone into place in a line. It helped thise who were holding the cards to be moved into order because they were comparing their own memory if the timeline and and would shake their heads yes or no while the other was trying to place them. ;0)
Also, if you want to use the VP cards in chronological order, you will need to watch a you tube video. VP teaches in order by region, then begins in another region in order. CC changed the order to be completely chronological, start to finish.
Yes, Thanks Becca, That was very informative. I also want to chime in at the comment above about Why we should put learning to songs……
The reason I have learned recently was that kids using their hands in motion (like hand clapping and games) Make them have better handwriting and spelling recall. It helps with improve motor and cognitive skills.