A Lesson Plan on Time: The Clock

Show the children both an analog and digital clock, then compare the difference. First show how the hours and minutes are divided by a colon on the digital clock. Point to the hour and minute hand on the analog clock, then have them count 1-12. The class will say and clap to the syllables in the new words, analog and digital, as you write these words on the board.

The story, Bunny Day by Rick Walton and Paige Miglio, tells about the rabbit family's day, focusing on the clock and telling time.

As the children sit around in a circle, place a large

hoop in the center for the "clock". Place large plastic numbers 1-12 on the face of the clock. Use two pointers, one longer than the other, for the hour and minute hands. As you point the hour hand to various numbers, the children will call out the time. This activity may be adjusted to the level of the class. Point the minute hand to half hours and quarter hours.

For a variation, allow the students to set the clock to the time you call out.

On construction paper, divide the sheet into two and title each section, " Things I Do At Night" and "Things I Do During the Day". Place a star and a sun above each column. From a magazine, the children will cut and glue the picture under the appropriate column.

This idea for working with graphs may be adapted for various subjects and titles throughout the year. Using a cookie sheet or magnetic white board, tape strips of black construction paper to create a grid with horizontal rows. Laminate a sentence strip for durability. Title the sentence strips " What Time Did I Go To Bed Last Night?", and the times " 8:00, 8:30, 9:00, 9:30" with a permanent marker. This may be erased with acetone for future use. Frozen juice can lids, with a magnet glued behind it, could be used as a marker for each child. With a paint pen, write their name and allow them to decorate their markers with stickers. Each child will place their marker under the correct time. Discuss how many went to bed at 8:00, etc., then talk about "more or less".

Suggested reading:

My Book of Easy Telling Time by Shiabu Akaishi and Eno Sarris

Telling Time: How to Tell Time on Digital and Analog Clocks by Jules Older and Megan Halsey

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Bunny Day by Rick Walton and Paige Miglio