Dear Parents and Carers,
Please could you help develop your child’s understanding of time. This is an important life skill. Telling the time on phones and during games is embedded into every day life.
May I suggest that all children should check clocks regularly and wear a watch?
Have a look at the following adapted learning sequence,
an effective technique for learning to
read the analogue clock.
1. Begin with a clock which has only the hour hand and use approximate language: “It’s about 4 o’clock, “ It’s just past 11 o’clock”, “It’s
half way between… etc.
2. Discuss what happens to the minute hand as the hour hand moves around. E.g., On the hour = hour hand exactly on a number, half
way around = ?, a little past the hour = ?.
3.During the day, discuss the one-handed clock in approximate language and have children predict where the minute hand might
be.
4. Teach time after the hour at 5-minute intervals by counting by five around the clock. Rather that predict the minute hand being on the 4 like
in step 3, have children say 20 minutes past. Highlight the importance to look at the hour hand first to see an approximate time then the
minute hand.
Mind your language
Another confusing aspect of time that teachers should be conscious of is the way language describes time. We will often say ‘back in a second’ or ‘wait a minute’in everyday conversation, which can confuse younger children. We should also be referring to the ‘hour hand’ and ‘minute hand’ instead of the ‘big or little hand’, so as to link their function to the name.
Making Links in pupil Learning
During Whole School assemblies I am using this very useful tool to develop understanding of time.
It would be great if you had a go with your child!