Before the final conference in May 2015 we managed to complete the Timeline card game. Many variations on this type of card game have already been released offically under various themes, such as "Inventions", "Popular culture" and "Exploration" etc. But our version involves animal diversity. We first thought of a timeline of extinct animals but soon found it a little too pessimistic on its own. If we only present what is gone then there is little room for hope. So we added "discovery" to the animal timeline. It is pretty exciting to realize that all kinds of animals are still being discovered, some large, some pretty unique. Finally, we also added the category „rescued“ for animals that have at some point been on the edge of extinction, but their fate has been turned around by international organizations.
Our timeline card game is basically similar to other official Timeline games but differs slightly from the official format by not having identical picture on front and the back. On the back of our timeline cards we decided to let our students provide illustrations, which contrast nicely with the picture on the front (usually photos or paintings). With the generous help of the students in Krakow (after our visit in March 2015) we managed to complete more than fifty animals. The results are sometimes striking and the variety of the pictures form a rather pleasing whole, I think. Thanks to all who participated.
Our timeline also differs slightly from the official format by providing some basic information on each animal on the front side. We thought the fact involved would be too obscure and the date much too difficult to guess without a hint on the front. Besides, the story of each animal is simply too interesting to resist giving a glimpse into their fate, whether they survived, just emerged or vanished forever.
Finding the right animals, getting the information and setting the cards up was a lot of work and it was only possible with a lot of enthusiasim, patience and time. Originally we designed things rather primitively, gluing images to cardboard and writing the information with a pen in hand. Later we realized that we might actually apply for a grant at the Reykjavik Children´s Cultural Festival, which is held each spring in Reykavik. Luckily we got just enough to print around thirty decks of cards. But that involved a lot of extra work transferring our originals to a digital format and sending it to the printing factory. In the end it was well worth the trouble. We learned a lot by going through this process. Now the obvious benefit is that we can easily reprint the cards as well as repeating the process for other similar ideas in the near future.
Comments
Thanks so much we will try to play it later today or next week. Have a fantastic holiday ....say hello to evertyone
kim
Strategy: If any of the dates is vague, play them out first. It is easier to be lucky in the beginning. If you know the precise date, keep it until last, when things get tricky.
A note to the teachers: This game can be quite a challenge and it may be constructive as well as interesting for everyone if the teacher makes sure the student "gets" or at least considers the hints. Sometimes they are too busy getting rid of their cards to stop and think for a moment. But also, it gets boring if the game progresses too slowly (that´s why 3-4 is the ideal number of players) so the teacher can easily conduct the flow of the game, so to speak.
Steini
I have your beautiful timeline game at Collingham...we are trying to pass them around our 4 sites over the next few weeks to give alll the children a chance to play. The cards are so beautiful ...we are so impressed and such a lot of information and hard work. Sorry to be so hopeless Steinni..but can you give me some instructions about how to actuallt play the game in agroup as I dont know the "original" time line games which you write about. really look forward to hearing from you..can you post here or email me
thanks
Nice cards- KrzysiekWlcka