Teaching students how to read clocks and write times is an essential skill they need to learn in elementary school. It is a foundational skill that students will use for the rest of their lives, as they will need to read clocks when scheduling their day, meeting deadlines, and keeping appointments.
Here are some activities that can be used to help students master the skill of reading clocks and writing times.
1. Show them how a clock works
The first step in teaching students to read clocks is to show them how a clock works. Use a large analogue clock and demonstrate how the two hands of the clock work together. Explain the concept of the hour hand and the minute hand and show how the hands move around the clock in opposite directions.
2. Practice identifying time
Next, have students practice identifying time on analogue clocks. Use a variety of activities to create interest. You can use real-life objects to represent the time, such as a picture of a cat at 3 o’clock or a boat at 4:45. This activity helps students recognise that objects around them are related to time too.
3. Digital clocks
After students have had plenty of practice with analogue clocks, introduce digital clocks. A digital clock format is perfect for students who struggle with analogue clock reading. This format helps students focus on the numbers, and they can see an exact time. Using a digital clock also helps to establish the difference between hours and minutes.
4. Match the time
Matching the time can be a great group activity. Give students cards with a picture on one side and the time on the other side. The cards should have a variety of times, allowing students to practice their set of telling time skills. They, in turn, match up the picture to the corresponding time.
5. Clock Races
Clock Races are a fun way to practice reading clocks and writing times. Students can work in pairs, taking turns to read the time on an analogue clock. Before the game starts, set a timer for a certain duration. The team who reads the most clocks in this duration wins. Alternatively, you can mix it up by setting a digital clock.
6. Create a clock
Finally, creating a clock can be an interesting and creative classroom project. You can use paper plates, and students can use paints or markers to design a clock. Once they have designed the clock, the teacher can practice call out times, and students can make the corresponding placement of the hour and minute hands on their clocks.
In conclusion, using these different activities to guide students in learning to read clocks and write times can help students grasp the foundational skill. Teachers can also implement other strategies to deliver this essential skill in different ways to make it informative and enjoyable.
