- 1). Make worksheets featuring analog and digital clocks. Some of the clocks should be set to different times such as 9:45, 2:15, 6:45 and 12:15 while other clocks should be blank and have the time written out in words below them. Tell the children to either write the time out (e.g. "a quarter to 1" ) or to draw hands on the clock to match the time listed below the blank clock.
- 2). Purchase toy clocks for the children. Instruct them to set their clock to the time you're going to announce. For example, if you tell them 11:45, they should adjust the short hand to the "11" and the long hand of the clock to the "9." Explain that the time "11:45 is also known as "a quarter 'til noon". Each time you announce a time, you must reinforce it is also known as " a quarter after" or "a quarter 'til", and so on.
- 3). Show the children flash cards with pictures of both analog and digital clocks set to "a quarter 'til" and "a quarter after" the hour. Flash the cards to the group as a whole, then go around the room randomly selecting children to name the time on the card.
- 4). Compare a clock to a dollar. Show the children a dollar and explain that a dollar can be made by combining four quarters. Then show the children a clock on the chalkboard or overhead projector. Draw a line from the "12" to the "6" and from the "3" to the "9." The clock is now divided into quarters. Explain to the children that just as four quarters make a dollar so too can four quarters of the clock make an hour. Tell them when the long hand points at the "3" it is "a quarter AFTER the hour " and when it points at the "9" it is "a quarter TO the hour". Practice telling time by saying "one quarter" or "three quarters." The children should then answer either "3" or "9." Then begin calling out "3" or "9." The children should then say "a quarter after the hour" or "a quarter to the hour".
Source...