We just finished up the first volume of The Mystery of History. There were a few doctrinal changes that I made while teaching, but we enjoyed this history program so much that we purchased the second volume.
Last year, I took the entire volume and had the spine removed and three hole punched. That worked pretty well, but I didn’t like lugging around the huge binder all year. Last year we also bought a timeline notebook, but it wasn’t as visual as we needed, and it fell by the wayside. I also failed at keeping the lesson’s index memory cards.
This year I was determined to take full advantage of everything this curriculum has to offer. For that to materialize, I decided I needed some planning.
I started by getting all of the memory cards started for semester one.
I filled in everything except the information we want to remember about that lesson.
The next part required lots of running around and multiple businesses to get the end result, but definitely worth it.
I went to Staples to have the text removed from the binding, and have it rebound, but the book was too large.
Before:
I then went to our local print shop, and they could cut the book, but did not offer my binding solution. {sigh} I would have to go back to Staples, a half and hour drive away.
With the size of this book, I decided to have it broken into three segments. The first two were separated by semester, and the third was the answers, maps, and other resources.
After:
I saved the back front and spine, and slipped them into a binder, and had the resource section three hole punched. This way I can easily remove the maps and other items for easy copying.
By having the text divided into semesters, and having a protective front and back, I feel like they will be easier to keep nice, and easier to use than a bulky binder.
Today, we made the wall timeline that is suggested in the book.
I had to order the sewing pattern board, but everything else was available locally.
The book suggest that you peel the contact paper from the backing and smooth it as you go. I have used it enough to know that would kick my OCD into extreme overdrive. I peeled a very small portion away, and smoothed out that backing. I then smoothed as a child peeled the backing off from beneath. It worked very well.
You repeat this process on both sides of the board. For my size board, 36x60, I had exactly enough contact paper.
You then mark each section with 2,4,6, and 8 inches. Repeat for the opposite side and use duct tape to form lines. I again veered off the directions a bit, and instead of having a loose piece of tape, I secured the one end, unrolled the length by eye, and matched to the markings on the other end. It stayed straight that way, and was easy, quick work.
Before you know it, you have twelve strips, evenly marked. I marked the top middle and will be using a hole punch to make a place to hang the timeline from. I purchased the timeline figures by Homeschool In The Woods for this year again, because I really stink at drawing, and I know it would be a roadblock.
They are gorgeous just as they are.
Now all I need to do is find wall space, and make all of my copies for the year. We have decided to jump into volume 2 after that, and not wait for the new school year to begin. I also plan to purchase the new coloring pages MOH is offering.
I think all of this planning will be very rewarding. I also have been very hesitant to dive into this wall project, but now I wish we had done it this past year. I will keep you posted on our progress with it!
**I have lots of links throughout this post for the ease of the reader. None of the links are affiliate links, and I will not benefit from them in any way. Just being helpful!**
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