Written Expression
Strategy: Timelines
Appropriate Grade Level: 2nd-9th
Procedures/Steps:




Introducing Timelines
o Use at the beginning of the year
o Students and parents work together
o Teachers can share their own timeline
Timeline Topics and Strategies
o Typical events are: birthdays, vacations, holidays, pets, rites of passage,
personal victories, and family changes
o Events can be drawn by the student
Timelines as “The Mother of all Advanced Organizers”
o Can be used as study and scheduling aids in subject areas
Timelines and Affective Goals
o Overall goal is to get the student to notice that they are special, unique,
and important.
o Enhance positive parent-child interactions
o Get to know themselves, peers, and teacher better
Comments and/or tips:

This is a wonderful way to get acquainted with your student
 There is no one right way to construct a personal timeline
Source:
Baumgartner, Dana & Donahue, Mavis. (1997). Having the timeline of my life.
Teaching Exceptional Children, 29(6), 38-40.