Have you ever been studying a certain region or time period and wished that there was a way to show your children how the area had changed over time? Last year we were learning about the rise of the Roman Empire and I wished I had a better way to show the children exactly how the empire grew and spread. Knowledge Quest has created a computer software called TimeMaps that does just that and more.
From the website:"The goal of TimeMaps is to communicate history in a truly engaging way. To do this,we use a combination of timelines, historical maps and encyclopedic entries merged together to deliver authoritative content that can be digested in an enjoyable way."
Maps are shown in chronological order and by a click of the mouse you can show how civilizations, countries, and continents have changed over time. You have the option to turn on or off encyclopedic entries or quizz questions. Each TimeMap topic comes with coordinating Teacher Notes that contain a copy of the worksheet questions (also contained in the TimeMaps program) a commentary on the maps for you to use if you choose, timeline sheets, a student map to color, and teacher map. TimeMaps is a work in progress with maps of ancient civilizations completed and more historical topics coming soon.
This video shows how TimeMaps works.
TimeMaps uses Flash to run which is a free software from Adobe. TimeMaps is available for both Windows and Mac. You can purchase available maps separately or as a collection. Available maps include:
TimeMap: Ancient China : 11 animated maps with quizzes and encyclopedic information and complete Teacher's Notes. Purchase as download for individual use $9.95.
TimeMap: Rise of Rome: 12 animated maps with quizzes and encyclopedic information and complete Teachers Notes. Purchase as a download for individual use $9.95.
Or you can order all seven sets together. The TimeMaps Collection can be purchased as a download for $44.95 or as an a CD Rom for $49.95.
There are additional bundle options and pricing to use TimeMaps in a school or co-op setting. Click the link on the TimeMaps you are interested in for those pricing options.
Knowledge Quest also carries many other products including historical outline maps, timelines, geography curriculum such as A Child's Geography and Expedition Earth, historical biographies your whole family will love, engaging mobile apps plus much more. Click here to see all of their products.
"These maps are really cool!" That was the general consensus from my boys 5,6,8,and 10. They really liked the animated features like watching the ships sailing, the chariots and horsemen moving across the country, and literally seeing the Black Death spread right before their eyes. TimeMaps takes what can be an abstract idea especially for the younger children and gives them a visual that shows exactly what happened. TimeMaps is more than just an animated map. It provides a wealth of information on each area that you are studying. You can choose to have the information show up and have your students read through it, or you can leave it off. You can reinforce what you have just talked about by asking the quiz questions or completing the "worksheet" activities. It is completely up to you how much or little you would like to do. TimeMaps can compliment any history program you are currently using.
The "work sheets" are not printable work sheets, but questions, essays, or activities to do a more in depth study. Most of these were over the heads of the children I was using TimeMaps with. I would liked to have seen some printable work sheets or activity suggestions for younger elementary children in addition to the printable map in the Teacher's Notes.
To see what other crew mates had to say click here.
Disclaimer: As a member of the Schoolhouse Review Crew, I received a complimentary copy of TimeMaps for the purpose of writing a fair and honest review. I received no other compensation.
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