'Reading times and dates' tutor notes
The aim of the Reading times and dates module is to introduce Level 1 measuring time MSS1/L1.2, including reading clocks to the nearest minute, understanding and using common date formats, understanding relevant vocabulary.
Please let us know what you think of the factsheets, quiz, game and worksheets at skillswise.feedback@bbc.co.uk
How does this tie in with the curriculums?
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England
MSS1/L1.2 - Read, measure and record time in common date formats and in the 12 hour and 24 hour clock.
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Wales
As England.
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Northern Ireland
As England.
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Scotland
See www.aloscotland.com for details of the Scottish curriculum.
In the Skillswise module you'll find:
Reading times and dates factsheets
You'll find curriculum references in the top right corner of the factsheets.
There are six factsheets for this module, on 'print-out-and-keep' sheets:
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Factsheet 1 - Telling the time.
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Factsheet 2 - Measuring time.
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Factsheet 3 - Hours and minutes.
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Factsheet 4 - Calendars.
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Factsheet 5 - 12 hour and 24 hour times.
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Factsheet 6 - Reading 24 hour times.
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Factsheet 7 - Dates.
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Factsheet 8 - Key words for measuring time.
Reading times and dates quiz
The learner can choose their level. Level A is the easiest, level C the hardest.
Students can print out a certificate if they score 50% or more in the quiz. This will appear as a link on the results page - click on the link and the certificate will appear in a new window. Students can write their name on the certificate once it's printed.
Reading times and dates game
A simple (yet stylish) snap type game with times written in 12 and 24 hour format. Del and Rodney from 'Only Fools and Horses' ask you to compare times written on the screen. As in snap, for each turn of the game you see two times and you have to decide if they match or don't match (eg. does 0800 match 8:00pm?). Get it wrong and you lose one of your 3 chances. There are 3 levels to the game:
Level 1: Only am times, eg 0800 = 8:00am, but 0800 doesn't match 8:00pm
Level 2: Both am and pm times, eg 1900 = 7:00pm etc.
Level 3: Both am and pm times and distractor answers, such as deciding whether 1900 matches 9:00pm etc.
Students can print out the feedback results page at the end. There is also extra help in the form of a link on the first screen of the game to the Measuring time factsheet on converting 12 and 24 hour formats.
The game requires your browser to have the Flash 5 plugin (which comes as standard in some browsers. See the 'Technical help' below if the game doesn't work for you.
Reading times and dates worksheets
There are five worksheets in this section. You'll find the curriculum reference in the top right hand corner of each sheet. Each one is a printable resource to carry on the work learners have done online.
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Worksheet 1 - How much do you know already?
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Worksheet 2 - Telling the time.
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Worksheet 3 - Measuring time activities.
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Worksheet 4 - Reading and writing dates.
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Worksheet 5 - Important words for times and dates.
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Worksheet 6 - Practice with these blank clocks.
Additional printable blank clock worksheets
Here are some additional sheets with blank clock faces of different arrangements. Click on the links and the worksheets should open in a new browser window.
Technical help:
To get the most out of this topic area you need the following 'plug-ins':
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Flash
The game in this topic section uses Flash. This is free to download and should only take a few minutes. You can follow the BBC WebWise instructions to download it to your machine.
Find out more.
If you don't have Flash the same learning points are covered in the quiz and in the worksheets and factsheets.
If you are new to the web, why not try the BBC WebWise online course, Becoming WebWise? It's free, you can do it in your own time from any computer and it will take you through everything you need to know to use the web successfully in your teaching.
Get WebWise.
You can find out more about the technical requirements for Skillswise in our Help - Technical Information section.
Taking it further:
With Skillswise:
There are 2 other modules on Skillswise about time.
- Timetables - reading timetables and planning journeys. (MSS1/L1.2, L1.3)
- Calculating time - add and subtract hours and minutes. Useful for working out journey times etc. (MSS1/L1.2, L1.3)
- Look, say, cover, write, check game - this spelling game has sets of words related to times and dates. You can use it to practise spelling the names of days, months and other time related words.
Visit the Skillswise Lesson plans section on Measuring (in the Tutor centre). Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find 4 lesson plans and lots more worksheets on Time set at Entry Levels.
Don't forget to visit Teaching inspirations for more ideas for teaching Time.
On the web:
Here's a suggestion of another place on the web that you might find a useful resource for teaching time.
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Read and understand displays on digital and analogue clocks
The Adult Basic Skills Resource Centre site has lots of free teaching resources ready for download and printing. This link takes you through to some resources for MSS1/E2.4 on reading and understanding time displayed on analogue and digital clocks.
Please note that the BBC is not responsible for the content of other websites.
Do you know any great online resources for practising measuring time? Tell us about
them!
