time · Year 4 · Suggested learning sequence
Read and use a timeline
A timeline shows events in order, from earlier on the left to later on the right. Like any scale, only some years are labelled. Work out what each small mark is worth from the labels: 10 years split into 5 spaces is 2 years a mark. To find how long between two events, count on from the earlier year to the later one. To place an event that happened some years later, start at the first event and move right.
Sample questions
Use the timeline. What year was it when the museum opened?
- The labels go up by 10 years with 5 spaces between them, so each small mark is 10 ÷ 5 = 2 years.
- The dot is 2 marks after 1930: 2 × 2 = 4.
- 1930 + 4 = 1934.
Answer: 1934
Use the timeline. What year was it when the bridge was built?
- The labels go up by 10 years with 2 spaces between them, so each small mark is 10 ÷ 2 = 5 years.
- The dot is 1 mark after 1910: 1 × 5 = 5.
- 1910 + 5 = 1915.
Answer: 1915
Use the timeline. What year was it when the town hall was built?
- The labels go up by 10 years with 2 spaces between them, so each small mark is 10 ÷ 2 = 5 years.
- The dot is 1 mark after 1900: 1 × 5 = 5.
- 1900 + 5 = 1905.
Answer: 1905