Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v3 - Primary 3
Time
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Time
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Subject: General Mathematics
Class: Primary 3
Term: 1st Term
Week: 9
Theme: Mensuration And Geometry
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Watch on YouTubeThis topic focuses on developing students' fundamental understanding and practical skills in telling time and reading dates. Mastery of time concepts is crucial for primary school learners as it underpins daily planning, punctuality, and the sequencing of events in their lives, both within the school environment and in wider Nigerian society. From adhering to school timetables to understanding market schedules or the timing of cultural festivals like Eyo or Argungu Fishing Festival, the ability to tell time and read dates is an essential life skill.
A. Telling Time in Hours and Minutes (Analogue Clock) The analogue clock is a primary tool for teaching time.
It consists of: Clock Face: A circular dial marked with numbers 1 through
1
2. Hour Hand: The shorter, usually thicker hand, which points to the hours. It completes one full rotation (360 degrees) in 12 hours.
Minute Hand: The longer, thinner hand, which points to the minutes. It completes one full rotation in 60 minutes (1 hour).
Understanding Minutes: Each number on the clock face also represents a multiple of 5 minutes for the minute hand. 1 = 5 minutes 2 = 10 minutes 3 = 15 minutes (Quarter past) 4 = 20 minutes 5 = 25 minutes 6 = 30 minutes (Half past) 7 = 35 minutes 8 = 40 minutes (20 minutes to the next hour) 9 = 45 minutes (Quarter to the next hour) 10 = 50 minutes (10 minutes to the next hour) 11 = 55 minutes (5 minutes to the next hour) 12 = 0 minutes or 60 minutes (O'clock) There are small unmarked lines between the numbers, each representing 1 minute. There are 5 minutes between any two consecutive numbers.
Steps for Reading an Analogue Clock: Read the Hour: Look at the hour hand. It points to the current hour. If it is between two numbers, the hour is the smaller number it has just passed.
Read the Minutes: Look at the minute hand. If it points exactly to 12, it is 'o'clock'. If it points to a number between 1 and 6, read the minutes as 'past' the hour (e.g., 10 minutes past 3). If it points to a number between 7 and 11, read the minutes as 'to' the next hour (e.g., 20 minutes to 4). Count by fives from 12 (0 minutes) to the number the minute hand is pointing at. If it's between numbers, count the small minute marks.
Example 1: Showing 7:00 (Seven O'clock)
The hour hand points exactly at
7.
The minute hand points exactly at
1
2. Explanation:* When the minute hand is at 12, it signifies 'o'clock'. The hour hand points directly to the hour. This is the time many Nigerian primary schools start their morning assembly.
Example 2: Showing 2:30 (Half Past Two)
The hour hand is halfway between 2 and
3.
The minute hand points exactly at 6 (which represents 30 minutes).
Explanation:* When the minute hand is at 6, it signifies 30 minutes or 'half past' the hour. The hour hand will be exactly halfway between the current hour and the next hour. This could be a typical break time for students in many schools.
Example 3: Showing 10:15 (Quarter Past Ten)
The hour hand is slightly past
1
0.
The minute hand points exactly at 3 (which represents 15 minutes).
Explanation:* When the minute hand is at 3, it signifies 15 minutes or 'quarter past' the hour. The hour hand has moved a little past the hour. This might be the time for a scheduled subject like English Language in a school timetable.
Example 4: Showing 5:45 (Quarter to Six)
The hour hand is almost at 6 (between 5 and 6, closer to 6).
The minute hand points exactly at 9 (which represents 45 minutes).
Explanation:* When the minute hand is at 9, it signifies 45 minutes or 'quarter to' the next hour. The hour hand will be noticeably close to the next hour. This could be the time many market women begin closing their stalls for the day.
B. Dates in Day and Month
A calendar is a system of organizing days, weeks, and months.
There are 7 days in a week: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday.
There are 12 months in a year:
January (31 days)
February (28 or 29 days - 29 in a leap year)
March (31 days)
April (30 days)
May (31 days)
June (30 days)
July (31 days)
August (31 days)
September (30 days)
October (31 days)
November (30 days)
December (31 days)
A year has 365 days, except for a leap year which has 366 days (every four years, February has 29 days).
Reading Dates:
Dates are typically written as Day, Month, Year (e.g., 1st October, 1960 for Nigeria's Independence Day). Students should be able to identify the day of the week, the day of the month, and the month itself from a calendar.