Activities to Teach Students About Elapsed Time: Find the End Time
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As a teacher, one of the most challenging concepts to teach students is elapsed time. This is because it involves not only understanding the concept of time but also the ability to perform basic calculations. However, with the right activities and teaching strategies, it is possible to simplify the concept of elapsed time and make it easier for students to understand. In this article, we will focus on one approach to teaching elapsed time – finding the end time.
The first step in teaching students about elapsed time is to introduce them to the concept of time. You can do this by discussing the various ways in which we measure time, such as hours, minutes, and seconds. You can also ask students to identify different activities that require them to keep track of time, such as cooking or playing sports. Once students have a good foundation on the concept of time, you can then move on to teaching them about elapsed time specifically.
One way to teach students about elapsed time is to focus on finding the end time. This involves giving students a start time and a duration and asking them to calculate what the end time would be. For example, you might ask students what time it will be if you start running at 0 pm and run for one hour.
To help students understand this concept better, you can use various activities. Here are five examples:
1. Elapsed Time Worksheets:
Provide students with worksheets that have various time scenarios for them to practice finding the end time. This will help them see the value of elapsed time by putting it into context.
2. Real-life scenarios:
Give students real-life scenarios which they can identify with. For instance, you could ask students to imagine they are watching a movie that starts at 0 pm and lasts for two hours and forty-five minutes. What time will the movie end?
3. Interactive Whiteboards and Smartboards:
Use technology to make learning more interactive. For instance, you could use interactive whiteboards or Smartboards to display clocks and time scenarios that students can practice finding the end time.
4. Time-Delay Game:
Play a game that involves a time delay. For example, you could ask a student to start counting from one and then call out a random number after a few minutes. The student then has to work out how much time has elapsed between one and the random number.
5. Pool Time:
This game requires a pool and a stopwatch. Students will have lots of fun with this game and develop their time-keeping skills. First, have the students stand at one end of the pool. Then, when you say “go” they will swim to the other side. You can ask them to swim for a set period and calculate their time.
In conclusion, teaching elapsed time by finding the end time is a great way to make the concept more relatable and easier for students to understand. By using various activities like worksheets, games, and real-life scenarios, students will find it easier to grasp the concept of elapsed time. Remember that different students learn differently, so it is essential to incorporate various teaching strategies to cater to all learning styles.