Standard: 3.MD.A1 – Tell and write time to the nearest minute and measure time intervals in minutes. Solve word problems involving addition and subtraction of time intervals in minutes, e.g., by representing the problem on a number line diagram.
Grade level: Grade 3
Subject: Mathematics
Domain: Measurement & Data
Teacher Overview
This standard focuses on helping students accurately tell and write time to the nearest minute, as well as measure and solve problems involving time intervals. Mastery of this standard is crucial as it lays the foundation for more advanced time management and problem-solving skills in later grades. Before tackling this standard, students should be comfortable reading both analog and digital clocks, and should have a basic understanding of hours and minutes. They should also be proficient in simple addition and subtraction.
After mastering this standard, students will be able to handle more complex time-related problems, such as calculating elapsed time over longer periods and applying these skills in real-world contexts like scheduling and planning.
Common Misconception 1
Some students may confuse the minute and hour hands on an analog clock, thinking the shorter hand indicates minutes and the longer hand indicates hours. This misunderstanding can lead to errors in reading and writing time.
Intervention 1
To address this, use physical clocks for hands-on practice. Have students frequently manipulate the hands to show different times, emphasizing the roles of the hour and minute hands.
Common Misconception 2
Another common misconception is struggling with the concept of ‘borrowing’ time when subtracting intervals. Students might not understand that 60 minutes can be borrowed as 1 hour, leading to incorrect calculations.
Intervention 2
Use visual aids like number lines to illustrate the process of borrowing time. Break down the steps and practice with various examples to build confidence.
Prerequisite Knowledge
Students should understand how to read both analog and digital clocks, understand the concept of hours and minutes, and have basic addition and subtraction skills.
Subsequent Knowledge
Students will develop more complex problem-solving skills involving time, such as calculating elapsed time over hours and days, and will be able to apply these skills in real-world contexts like project planning and time management.
Instructional Activities
- Use physical clocks for hands-on practice in telling time.
- Create number line diagrams to visualize time intervals.
- Solve word problems involving time by acting them out.
- Use timers in classroom activities to track time intervals.
- Incorporate real-life scenarios, such as scheduling a day or planning a trip.
