Review - TimeMaps Collection by Knowledge Quest

TimeMaps Collection

Knowledge Quest

Web Site:  http://www.knowledgequestmaps.com/TimeMaps.html

Cost:  $9.95 for individual maps or $44.95 (download) $49.95 (CD) 7-map set

Age:  All

Have you ever been surfing the internet and one link leads to another that leads to another?  That’s how I manage to waste countless hours sitting in front of the computer following rabbit trail after rabbit trail as I find new and interesting things to read.  In fact, that’s what I love most about the internet, the unlimited ability to seek knowledge.

Knowledge Quest has developed TimeMaps that possess this same quality.  Once you start, there are numerous opportunities to click and investigate.  My children and I are very visual.  We like to see things in action rather than simply reading or hearing about them.  TimeMaps really appealed to that side of our personality.

How does it work, you ask? 

You start with a map of the beginning of the time period you are using.  We enjoyed learning about the Black Death.   When the map opens, you will see a date in the upper right hand corner.  Clicking forward or backward arrows next to this date allows you to see the progression in time.  I was shocked how fast the black death spread!  There are small pictures on each map.  Clicking on them gives you a drop down box with information about what that symbol means and its role in that time period.

As you move through time, the i and Q underneath the date enable additional information.  Clicking the i adds several i’s of information throughout the map.  Clicking on each one allows you to see what was happening in that part of the world during that time period.  The Q drops down questions that can be used for discussion or as part of an assignment for students to respond to.  They would need to go through all the i’s on the map to find the answers to the questions.  We really loved how interactive this was! 

In addition to the interactive aspect of the program, the opening window allows access to “Work Sheets”.  These aren’t so much worksheets as they are suggestions for questions or exercises the students can complete to help further their understanding of the time period .

The Teacher pdf that accompanies each TimeMap includes these “work sheets” as well as handouts like maps, timeline paper, etc.  Each Teacher pdf also includes a summary of the time period being shown that can be used for classroom presentation or as an introduction in the homeschool.  

We really liked TimeMaps.  They make history come alive.  Seeing the spread of the black death or the progression of the Atlantic slave trade in a year by year format really helped us to understand what happened in a step-by-step progression.  I must say, I had many ‘a-ha!’ moments just working through these TimeMaps.  For $9.95 for a single map, it’s a great supplement to your study of history.  If you know World or Ancient History is in your students’ future, then investing in the entire collection saves money, and you have them on hand for when the time comes. 

The collection includes: 

Ancient China

Rise of Rome
Fall of Rome
Rise of Islam
The Black Death
European Exploration
Atlantic Slave Trade

I know my kids get a lot more out of the interactive approach than they do reading a dry textbook alone.   My youngest is studying World History this year – I’m so excited to include each map as we get to that event in time.

Here’s a video of how it all works:

To see what other members of the Schoolhouse Review Crew thought of TimeMaps – click here.

*** Disclaimer:  I received this product free of charge as a member of the Schoolhouse Review Crew in exchange for my honest review.