Are Your Students Struggling with Telling Time?

When teaching students to tell time, first have students make paper plate clocks with only ONE hand–the hour hand.  Approximate time can be told with only an hour hand.  Discuss that when the hour hand is half way between the numbers on the clock that it is on half an hour.  For example, if the hour hand is halfway between the two and three, we know that it is 2:30.  If the hour hand is between the two and three and closer to the three we know it is probably 2:45 or later.  Then show students different times with only the hour hand and have them tell if it is before or after whatever hour.  Giving students quality time to learn the function of the hour hand will help dispel misconceptions that may form from learning time with two hands at once and not truly understanding each hand’s function.