Activities to Teach Students to Find the Elapsed Time
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Teaching elapsed time to students can often be a tricky concept to tackle. However, with the right activities and strategies in place, educators can make conversions and calculations more engaging, and easier for their students.
Here are some interactive activities that can help students grasp the concept of elapsed time:
1. Time Line Game:
Create a timeline and place different activities at different points on the timeline and have students determine the amount of time that has passed. For example, place “woke up” at 6 am, “ate breakfast” at 7 am, and “started school” at 8 am. Have students calculate the elapsed time between each event.
2. Time Task Cards:
Create task cards with different scenarios that require students to calculate elapsed time. For example, “If John starts his science project at 10 pm and finishes at 5 pm, how much time did he take to complete his project?” This activity can be made more engaging by having students work with partners or in small groups.
3. Time Bingo:
Create bingo cards with different times and durations, and have students select and mark each square with elapsed time calculations. For example, if a student has a bingo card with “0 am to 5 pm” and the teacher calls out “5 hours and 45 minutes,” the student would mark the corresponding square.
4. Stopwatch Relay:
Divide students into groups, and have each group take turns counting down and timing each other for specific activities. For example, they could time how long it takes for one member of the group to complete 10 jumping jacks, and then calculate the average time it took for all group members to do the same exercise. This activity helps to reinforce the concept of elapsed time as well as working with averages.
5. Classroom Schedule:
Use the classroom schedule as a real-life tool to practice elapsed time. Have students determine how long they spend in each class, including transition time and total elapsed time spent in school. This activity reinforces the concept of elapsed time while students learn about their own daily routine.
In conclusion, engaging and interactive activities can make the concept of elapsed time more accessible and easier for students to understand. By using real-life scenarios and examples, students can apply their knowledge of elapsed time to their everyday lives, leading to a better understanding of the concept and its importance in their daily routine. With these activities, students can become more confident in their ability to calculate and convert time, making them better critical thinkers and problem solvers.