Books and primary sources aren’t the only tools we should use when teaching history. Timelines, century charts, and Charlotte Mason’s signature “Book of Centuries” are all tools to help our kids grasp the abstract concept of time. I’ve read Charlotte Mason’s volumes, blogposts, listened to podcasts, as well as consulted the book “The Living Page” by Laurie Bestvater to understand which charts, timelines, and notebooks Charlotte used in her schools. I’ve tried them all and I’ve chosen to continue using the following charts and books as I feel they had the “most for you buck.” And simplifying is what I’m all about 🙂 The following are tools, and just like any other tool they can be used in a variety of ways. You don’t need to use them all simultaneously, or every term or year. For example, I don’t use the century chart during ancient history because events are so spread out. On the other hand, the 1900-present time period have so many events and other things to record this is a great tool to visually see events of that century. We don’t fill out a life history timeline for every person we study; some biographies and people’s lives benefit from visually seeing the progression of their life events. Tools are meant to make your life easier and better, not harder. Just remember that when you’re choosing which tools to use for each time period and individual children.

Monthly Calendar

Starting in first grade my children have a blank monthly calendar they fill out daily. They record the date in the corner as well as weather. They also add special events and other things they want to know “how many days until…” this helps them see how long a week is, how many weeks in a month, and how many days in a month. After three years of this they have a great foundation in weeks, months, and years. 

My Own History Chart

In 3rd or 4th grade my kids fill out their own history chart. In the top they write the years they’ve been alive, starting with the year they were born. They can add siblings’ names and birthdates in the columns and rows below. They can also add events, like moving to a new house and vacations. 

Century Chart

The next year I have my kids fill out a century chart, going backwards from the present day to 100 years ago. They fill in everything they can remember, and then you and family members can help fill in the years before they were born – parents, siblings, grandparents, uncles/aunts. Family history events are particularly enjoyable – births, deaths, marriages, etc. But you can also add wars and other historical events. The purpose is for them to see how long a century is. 

This is a great tool to use later while studying a historical time period. In The Living Page, Laurie said that Charlotte’s students would draw an icon to represent what happened that year. My boys really enjoy this practice; deciding what was most important that year and what icon would best fit that event or person. 

Book of Centuries

By 4th or 5th grade children begin recording in their book of centuries. I like the one from Riverbend Press, but you can easily make one on your own with my book of centuries PDF and a 3-ring spiral binder. On one side are rows to record dates, on the other side is a blank page to sketch drawings of artifacts and other historical “things.” Some things my boys have recorded (and some I’ve heard about) are:

• Artifacts (clothing, weapons, pottery, instruments, etc)
• Works of art (especially statues)
• Inventions
• Architecture 
• Maps 
• People

My boys record in pencil first, then go over with a fine-tipped black ink pen. I’ve put the book of centuries as a requirement on our Monday schedule after our family history discussion. My younger boys record on their century chart that same day. 

Timelines

Charlotte used timelines of a millennium to help kids see a whole century at once and the major events of each century. I print a timeline on blueprint sized paper from Office Depot and pull it out every so often to record the major event or leader of that century. For example, you might write Julius Caesar on the century in which he ruled. Or Jesus Christ in the century that he lived and died. 

Life History Timeline

Finally, you can use a mini version of the millennium timeline to record the events of a persons life. When your child picks a biography to read, or when you are reading a Plutarch’s life, you can slowly record their life’s events on a one-page timeline. 

You can easily make your own charts and timelines on Canva. I’ve also made all my charts and timelines available for purchase if you’d rather not make your own:

History Tools (Charts, Timelines, Notebooks)

All the tools you need to teach and organize history — my own history chart, life history timeline, century chart, general timeline, and book of centuries.

$10.00

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