Time - Using a.m. and p.m. - Planning

In this Year 4 summer term lesson, students delve into the concept of time, focusing specifically on the use of a.m. and p.m. The lesson begins with an engaging starter activity where children are asked to interpret a described time on their clocks, considering the position of the minute and hour hands. This not only serves as a refresher of their existing knowledge but also sets the stage for the introduction of new vocabulary such as 'ante meridiem' (a.m.) and 'post meridiem' (p.m.), which are Latin terms for 'before midday' and 'after midday' respectively. A variety of resources, including printed digital time cards, worksheets, and a presentation, are used to facilitate learning.

During the class, children explore both analogue and digital clocks, comparing and contrasting them to understand how hours and minutes are represented in each format. They participate in practical activities such as sorting times and using digital time cards, which encourages them to articulate their reasoning. Key questions prompt them to consider how to distinguish morning from afternoon times and how to convert times between analogue and digital formats. The lesson also addresses common misconceptions, such as confusion between a.m. and p.m. and the correct representation of 'to' times. By the end of the session, students are expected to demonstrate their understanding by sorting times and representing them on both types of clocks, with varying levels of complexity based on their depth of understanding.