Time: 30–45 minutes, depending on the methods used
Before the session: If you are working offline, gather what you may need for a creative session, such as paper, pens of different colours, templates, arts and crafts. If working online make sure there is access to a printer.
Having looked at the timeline examples in Session 2, learners can create their own timelines. What they decide to include in the timeframe is up to them – it can include their whole life since childhood, or focus on recent study or work experiences, or just their life as a carer. They should reflect on this before the group activity. They do not need to include anything that they want to keep private.
The timeline can be done in a number of ways. You can work as a group or allow learners to choose the method they prefer. Remember, not everyone will choose to be creative and there should be no expectations of what the timelines will look like. Here are just some ideas:
Carers may have other ways of representing their timeline. What is important in this activity is their understanding from their experience. Try to put low points lower down the page and high points above them, just as Lesley and Scott have done, but some learners may have fewer ups and downs and can just list them side by side.
If learners are working online, remind them to save and/or print out their timelines, as they will be referring to them in Activities 2.4 and 2.5. These activities can be done as part of the same group session or learners can choose to take their timelines home and complete the activities individually.
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