Right now we're working on time in math. I have noticed that many students really struggle with elapsed time. Here are a few strategies I use that help them out:
- Use military time, and make sure to label your clock in it! This means that 12pm is really 13:00 (thirteen hundred hours), 1 pm is 14:00, and so on. It is much easier than having to remember to switch after 12:00.
- Label your clocks with minutes and important words (see picture above) and add key words. To the left side of the six, I suggest labeling "to, 'till the hour, until, before" and to the right, "past, after"
- Use materials like a Judy Clock. They come with moveable arms that are connected to gears, so their movement is more authentic. Therefore, if you start the clock at 3:00 like the picture above, the minute hand will start to bring the hour hand along with it. That way when it's 3:30, the hour hand will be halfway between the 3 and the 4 (it's halfway to 4:00!) It really helps kids tell time close to the next hour (especially at 45 minute or more to the hour).
- Try these materials:
- It's About Time!
- Scholastic Time, Money, and Measurement
- Disney Time and Money Grade 2 (also find them at a dollar store or Target $1 bin!)
- Clock Bingo
- Lakeshore Elapsed Time Write & Wipe Boards (set of 10)
Try this elapsed time interactive from Shodor!
Select difficulty (easy Level 1 = only hours) and move the hands ahead by hours and / or minutes
Click the picture to download free telling time worksheets or create your own!
Check out my other math posts here.
