Learning to Tell Time in Second Grade
Learning to tell time can be somewhat difficult for students. While some students may learn to tell time as early as first grade or even kindergarten, the fact of the matter is that most children won’t even start learning to tell time until they are in second grade. Having said that, the fact of the matter is that it is becoming less and less important to learn how to tell time using an analog clock (that is, a clock with a traditional round face and two hands), which is much more difficult by it’s nature than telling time with a digital clock.
There are some things that you can do to help your second grade child while he is learning to tell time. For example, you can show the child a number line that has just the numbers from 1 to 12. You can then bend the number line so that it goes around, just like the face of a clock does. Then, draw a large circle. Place the number 1, and ask the child to put the rest of the numbers on the round number line.
Another important part about being able to learn to tell time in second grade is the ability to count by fives. If your child is unsure about counting by fives up to 60, you should review this with him. You can then, using another number line, write the numbers from 0 to 55. Bend that one to show the five minute increments from a clock face. Then, draw a large circle as you did before with the hourly number line, and have the child number it.
Students can help one another when learning to tell time in second grade. YOu can, for example, make flash cards that show a clock face at various times. On the back of the card, you can write the digital time, and on the front of the card you can draw a clock face. Students can then take turns quizzing one another about what time it is.
Making a plate clock is a fun activity that helps when learning to tell time in second grade. You can use a brass fastener, and use construction paper hands. Have the students number their clock face. You can then use these paper plate clocks for more quizzing.
Related Articles:





if you have any questions or comments!