How to Teach Telling the Time
Are you feeling stuck on how to make your students learn how to read the time? Then, take a deep breath! You are not alone! Teaching students how to tell the time on analog clocks might be challenging for our English Language learners. Last June, I had to introduce routines and the time to my third children group. For most of them, understanding this concept took some time, but with lots of practice and fun, they could ALL finally do it. So, let me share with you some engaging ideas that can help YOUR students become super time readers! There we go!
Idea 1
Draw on the board a clock like the one shown below. This clock will help students to connect the hour “number” with the minutes. For instance, understanding that 1 means 5 minutes. Then, for kinesthetic learners, you can play “Body Clocks”. Tell students that they will make imaginary clocks using their arms as the hands of the clock. One arm will be left straight to represent the hour, and the other arm will be folded, with the fingers touching the shoulder to represent the clock’s minute hand.
Idea 2
Connecting students’ routines with the time. To put the time in context, my students made this craft to talk about their daily routines. Then, they used the same craft and talked about their classmates’ routines. The results were terrific! See my students in action HERE!
Idea 3: Games! Some fun games to consolidate the time
- The Time Hunt Game: Paste on the classroom walls different clocks, then say a specific time. Students must run to where the correct clock is.
- The time Bingo: I always ask my learners to draw their bingo grids, but you can also find plenty of printables on the internet.
- Powerpoint game! You can find in my store a fantastic game to revise the time with your students. CLICK HERE!
Alright, I hope you’ve found some ideas to help your learners tell the time. Like with so many things in English, it’s all about intention, tons of practice, and fun! Have a lovely day!
Paula.
