Classroom Activities: Parts of a Clock

These classroom activities are designed to complement the Parts of a Clock topic on BrainPOP Jr.

Create a Clock

Have students make their own clocks out of plates, construction paper, crayons, and brass brads. First discuss and describe all the parts of a clock: the face, minute and hour hands, and numbers. Have students decorate their plates to be the face of the clock and write numbers around the edge. Students may wish to use numbers or use beans or other small objects to glue on the plate to represent the numbers. For example, 1 bean would represent 1, 2 beans would represent 2, and so on. Remind students that the hour hand is shorter than the minute hand and help students connect their hands to the clock. Have students keep these clocks for later lessons when they begin to learn and practice how to read a clock and tell time.

Class Schedule

Explain to your students that time is used to plan a day. Together as a class, create a class schedule on the board. What time does school begin? What time is math, recess, lunch, reading, etc.?

To extend the activity, have students imagine what their day would be like if there were no time. How would they know when it was time to go home? How would they know when to go to bed? Have students share their ideas. Discuss with students about the usefulness of time and why it is important to always be on time.

Clockworks

If possible bring in different kinds of clocks to show to your students. You can bring in analog and digital clocks, a stopwatch, a kitchen timer, and an hourglass. Have students describe each clock and how it is useful to tell or measure time. Have students think of moments when they could use each type of clock. For example, a stopwatch would be useful if you had to time a race and a kitchen timer would be useful if you needed to take something out of the oven in an hour.