How Subject Timelines inspire learning

Subject Timelines can inspire learning across all subjects.

Not only do Subject Timelines look fantastic, they’re also a powerful learning aid.

Schools use Subject Timelines for a variety of reasons, but the most common aims are;

• Promote active learning and engagement in a particular subject, or multiple subjects
• Get pupils in the right mindset for learning and help with knowledge retention
• Show pupils what they can achieve by studying a subject, including future career paths
• Inspire critical thinking and spark discussion 
• Show the breadth and balance of the curriculum and create a positive learning environment
• Turn corridors, stairwells, communal spaces and outdoor areas into vibrant learning opportunities

Timelines are suitable for many areas of your school. You can use a single wall for a focused timeline. Or you can transform multiple corridors, stairwells and other areas.

Here are a few examples of how, and where, to use Subject Timelines for maximum impact;

Mix and match

Some schools opt for Timelines that feature a mix of subjects. This is particularly effective if you have lots of wall space available across many corridors, stairwells or levels.

You can designate certain areas to focus on the evolution of each subject. Start at the earliest recorded date and track the course of history to the present day. You can combine core curriculum subjects with the creative arts and sport for a well rounded learning aid.

Mixed Subject Timelines support whole child education by showing pupils how all subjects fit together to support their learning.

The timeline below shows pupils how past events have shaped the present world they live in today.

Core curriculum subjects

Core curriculum subjects are ideal for Subject Timelines. This visual format lends itself perfectly to a walkthrough of key dates and events relating to Science, Maths and English.

Timelines make information more accessible and digestible to pupils, so they can learn in the way that suits them best. Dates and events are presented chronologically. So pupils can actually walk alongside these and see events in relation to each other.

You can also feature famous people from each subject, bringing faces to names that pupils may have read about before. This humanises the curriculum and helps pupils see that real people and events shaped the course of history.

STEM Timelines serve as a valuable learning aid. They can help pupils absorb and retain information, without even realising they’re learning!

We designed the example below for Davison CE High School for Girls. It shows a striking Science Timeline, with large images to complement the content.

Love literacy

Timelines can encourage a lifelong love of reading. There are a few ways to use your timeline to fuel literacy.

• Traditional timeline that features books set in particular historical eras
• Authors showcased in order of birth dates so pupils gain context of when authors lived and what inspired their work
• General History timeline that combines the evolution of literature against the backdrop of wider world history

You don’t need loads of wall space for your literacy Timeline. A single wall is enough to add wow factor, promote learning and fuel literacy.

Get Creative

“Children thrive in schools where the arts are at the heart of a broad and balanced curriculum. Children who study the arts do better; they are more likely to attend university, and are more employable.” – CLA, 2017

Drama, music and dance are ideal candidates to feature in your timeline. Showcase historical eras, trends, themes and significant events across the creative arts.

A creative arts based timeline shows pupils how the arts were shaped by each historical period. From Medieval theatre to post modernist art, pupils can see the evolution of creativity from the past to the present day.

Below, you can witness this creativity in motion. We designed a Drama Timeline for Sedgehill Academy. The design tracks the course of Drama through the ages. Powerful images inspire pupils to follow in the footsteps of famous thespians and performers.

Forward thinking

Technology is a popular choice for Subject Timelines. And it’s super relevant for today’s pupils.

Students are always amazed to witness the evolution of IT through the decades. Many can’t believe that their parents grew up without mobile phones, or that television wasn’t always on-demand!

IT Timelines never fail to spark curiosity and prompt big discussions between classmates. You could also include your school’s own technological evolution in your IT Timeline;

• When did your school get its first computers?
• At what point did IT become a fixture on your curriculum?
• And can you celebrate any alumni or local heroes who have achieved greatness in the IT field?

The great thing about a bespoke timeline is that we can personalise the content to your school. IT Timelines help pupils appreciate the people and innovations that have enabled the technology we use today.

Inspire learning

Do you have an area of your school that could be transformed into a learning opportunity? Perhaps you like the idea of a timeline but aren’t sure how to get started?

This is where Promote Your School can help…

We have over two decades of experience in education and design. So we are well placed to help you achieve your goals and aspirations with a stunning timeline.

We create all designs bespoke and in-house. Our service also includes print and installation – all costs are presented upfront and there are no hidden extras. Wall Art is highly durable and designed to last many years. It requires zero upkeep and is a sustainable alternative to temporary displays.

Get in touch to arrange a free consultation!