Time Travelers: Solving Time Word Problems!

Math Grades 1st Grade 5:59 Video
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Lesson Description

Learn how to solve time word problems using timelines and key information! This lesson will help you become a time-telling expert!

Video Resource

Solving Time Word Problems: See 1st Graders Ace These Questions! Kids Academy

Kids Academy

Duration: 5:59
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Elapsed Time
  • Timelines
  • Key Information in Word Problems

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify key information in time word problems.
  • Students will be able to use a timeline to solve elapsed time problems.
  • Students will be able to determine the start, end, or elapsed time in a word problem.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what they already know about telling time. Review the parts of a clock (hour hand, minute hand) and how to tell time to the hour and half-hour. Introduce the concept of 'elapsed time' – how much time has passed.
  • Video Viewing (7 mins)
    Play the 'Solving Time Word Problems' video from Kids Academy. Instruct students to pay attention to how the teacher identifies key information and uses a timeline.
  • Identifying Key Information (5 mins)
    After the video, discuss the importance of underlining or highlighting key information in word problems (as demonstrated in the video). Practice identifying key words like 'start time,' 'end time,' and 'how long'.
  • Timeline Practice (10 mins)
    Work through a few example time word problems together, drawing timelines on the board or using a projector. Emphasize making 'friendly jumps' (e.g., jumping to the next hour or half-hour) to simplify calculations. Example: 'Lily starts playing at 2:00. She plays for 1 hour. What time does she stop playing?'
  • Independent Practice (10 mins)
    Provide students with a worksheet containing time word problems. Have them work independently or in pairs to solve the problems using the timeline strategy. Circulate to provide assistance as needed.
  • Wrap-up (3 mins)
    Review the answers to the worksheet problems. Ask students to share their strategies for solving the problems. Reiterate the importance of reading carefully and using timelines.

Interactive Exercises

  • Time Dice Game
    Create two dice: one with times (e.g., 1:00, 2:30, 3:00) and another with durations (e.g., 30 minutes, 1 hour, 1 hour 30 minutes). Students roll the dice to create a time word problem and then solve it using a timeline.
  • Real-Life Time Scenarios
    Present real-life scenarios involving time (e.g., 'School starts at 8:00 and ends at 3:00. How long are you at school?'). Have students work together to create timelines and solve the problems.

Discussion Questions

  • What are some important words to look for in a time word problem?
  • How can a timeline help you solve time word problems?
  • What is an example of a time you use during the day?

Skills Developed

  • Problem-Solving
  • Time Telling
  • Critical Thinking
  • Addition

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What is something that can help you solve time problems?

Correct Answer: A timeline

Question 2:

If something starts at 1:00 and ends at 2:00, how long did it last?

Correct Answer: 1 hour

Question 3:

What is important to find in a word problem?

Correct Answer: The key words

Question 4:

If you start playing at 3:30 and play for 30 minutes, what time do you stop?

Correct Answer: 4:00

Question 5:

What is something you use to read the time?

Correct Answer: A clock

Question 6:

If a show starts at 7:00 and lasts for one hour, what time does it end?

Correct Answer: 8:00

Question 7:

If you have to leave your house at 8:30, what time should you get ready?

Correct Answer: Before 8:30

Question 8:

A timeline goes from _____ to _____.

Correct Answer: Early to late

Question 9:

You start your homework at 4:00 and finish it at 5:00. How long did it take you to do your homework?

Correct Answer: 1 hour

Question 10:

What does elapsed time mean?

Correct Answer: How much time goes by

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

A _________ can help you keep track of time.

Correct Answer: timeline

Question 2:

When you read a word problem, it is important to find the _________ words.

Correct Answer: key

Question 3:

There are 60 _________ in one hour.

Correct Answer: minutes

Question 4:

If you start at 10:00 and one hour goes by, it will be _________.

Correct Answer: 11:00

Question 5:

The clock helps us _________ time.

Correct Answer: tell

Question 6:

If something takes a long time, we say it has a long _________.

Correct Answer: duration

Question 7:

If it is 3:30, it's halfway between 3 o'clock and _________.

Correct Answer: 4:00

Question 8:

We can make ________ jumps on the timeline to solve for the final time.

Correct Answer: small

Question 9:

When we add time, we are finding _________ time.

Correct Answer: elapsed

Question 10:

Before you solve the word problem, ________ the important information.

Correct Answer: underline

Educational Standards

CCSS.Math.Content.1.MD.B.3:Tell and write time in hours and half-hours using analog and digital clocks. CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.A.1:Use addition and subtraction within 20 to solve word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing, with unknowns in all positions, e.g., by using objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.

Teaching Materials

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