This year we have been really enjoying using Mystery of History (MOH).  There are many things about it that I love, but the thing that has impressed me the most is it's strong Biblical focus.  The next best thing I love is that the lessons are fairly short and the whole curriculum doesn't overwhelmed me in the slightest bit. 

Along with this program we are keeping a wall timeline.  My friend Cindy at  Our Journey Westward requested that I post about it.  Before the beginning of our schoolyear when I was planning, I put much thought into whether we wanted to keep a notebook or wall timeline, we obviously decided on the wall timeline, and I'm SO happy that we did. 

After making this decision, I set about preparing for the timeline, I wanted to have as much as possible ready before beginning school so that it woudn't become a burden through the year.  I started with two sheets of red poster board which I had laminated and cut into strips.  Having them laminated has turned out to be essential because when I need to move timeline figures around the tape doesn't stick and rip the paper.  I hung them using staples; I knew I would have this timeline up for a very long time, and we'd eventually be repainting anyway.  Anything else I tried would not hold the strips up effectively.

Then I made a wonderful investment into purchasing timeline figures from Homeschool in the Woods.  They are so awesome!  This has saved numerous hours of preparation.  MOH suggests that you make them yourselves with your children, however I decided against this for a couple of reasons:  1) again I didn't want to become overwhelmed with our history lessons; and  2) I know my children really wouldn't get "into" making them that much to make it worth all the extra time.  The Homeschool in the Woods figures are super easy to print.  At the beginning of the schoolyear I printed out all that we would be using, and each week when I'm planning I cut out and prepare the ones we will be hanging.  After reading MOH for the day, my kids take turns running over to the timeline and hanging them up.  The red stars above certain figures signifies these people are in the lineage of Christ.

I use double-sided scrapbooking tape to hang the figures. Again, nothing else worked effectively.  To make the date strips I use a Letra-tag laser printer; again awesome and easy!

Until we run out of room, we are using the lower half of my wall for various things.  We use it to hang up the latest projects/activities that we have done for history.

Also we use it for hanging up our memory cards.

And to store our upcoming timeline figures.

I have been so pleased with our wall timeline.  It has been such a great visual aid for my kids AND for me!  If you have the wall space I highly recommend it.