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Teaching Time and Clock concepts in Pre-K

I have found that teaching time in Pre-k can be a challenge but with the right appraoch children can learn to tell time. Standing in the way are the enourmous number of digital clocks that children see. So here is where I start:

1. The Clocks: I print each child a full sheet sized clock on cardstock and laminated. I code the hands by color with the hour hand being red and the minute hand being blue. I attach these with brads, hour hand on top. I make sure my clock hands are easily distinguished from each other in size so that children can manipulate them easily.

2. Initial Introduction: I start with time to the hour, i use a play clock to show them and also tell them the real time on our classroom clock. When I catch the clock close to a certain hour I try to get the children to look at the classroom clock and tell me what time it is. Generally they pick up time to the hour easily, it becomes more challenging as you break the hour up into minutes.

3. Experimenting Center: After initial instruction I place the clocks in a center. I allow the children to play with them. I give them a laminated sheet to check off each time as we practice it. (still time to the hour)

4. Practice: Once my students have completed the experimenting center I assess how they are learning the concept by giving them 2 worksheets to complete. Below are examples of them that my students completed.
 
This first sheet asks the students to write the hour and minute hand in blank clocks. This is one of my average students nad I was truly pleased with how well she did on this sheet.

This sheet requires the student to write the shown time in analog form. This is also one of my average students, she did get the answers correct even though some of her numbers still need work on formation. It does show me that she understands the concept of time to the ohur but needs reinforcment in number formation.

These 2 worksheets and full page clocks are available in my TpT store, click on the link below to see the details. Please follow my blog and TpT store for more great Early Childhood lessons.

Till next time,

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