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Time
Objectives
To have an idea of the length of 15, 30 and 60 seconds.
Resources
Abacus Workbook 2 | Stop clock or a clock with a second hand | Plain paper
Vocabulary
seconds | second hand | time
Today's Lesson
Introduction
Show your student the stop clock or clock with a second hand.
Say: ‘This hand takes one minute to move round the clock. How many seconds are there in a minute?’ (60)
Wait until the second hand is at the top and count as it moves, saying,’1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds,’ and so on until you get to 21, then just say, ‘22, 23,’ and so on, until you get to 60.
Repeat counting for 60 seconds, but this time turn the clock away from your student! Then turn the clock back round and discuss how far out you were.
Say: ‘This time I want you to count 15 seconds in your head and put up your hand or tap the table when you think 15 seconds has passed.’
Shout, ‘Stop!’ when 15 seconds are up. Repeat.
Repeat the activity for 30 seconds.
Next, ask: ‘How many letters of the alphabet do you think you could write in 30 seconds?’
Your student should write as many letters as they can on paper (preferably in alphabetical order) whilst you use the stop clock to time 30 seconds.
See how many letters have been written and compare with their estimate.
Main Activity
Ask your student to use a stopwatch or timer to time 15 or 30 seconds to find out how many of the following activities they can do in that time:
- Write as many letters of the alphabet as possible.
- Write as many numbers as possible.
- Build a tower using as many cubes as possible.
- Stand up and sit down.
They should record their results on plain paper.
To extend their thinking, ask your student to write an estimate before carrying out the task.
Extra Challenge
Repeat the activity from the Introduction. Using a stopwatch or timer, ask your student to raise their hand after 15 seconds. After about 20 seconds, ask them to open their eyes. Do they improve when the activity is repeated?
Repeat for intervals of 30 seconds.
Ask your student to think about the following question:
Does it help to close your eyes and visualise the second hand ticking round the clock?
Workbook
To help your student build upon their learning from today , please ask them to complete the activities on pages 48 and 49 of Abacus Workbook 2.