Zone Out!

Willie Mae Wilson              Hartigan Elementary School
                               8 W. Root Street
                               Chicago IL 60609
                               (312)535-1560

Objective:

This lesson is designed for grades K-3.  To review previously taught concepts  
of time, hours and 1/2 hours.  To help children with the concept of the four 
different standard time zones in the 48 states.
                                                
Materials Needed:

Collect in advance the following items:
Judy clocks   paper plates   wht. paper    U.S.A. map                   
scissors      crayons        fasteners     black and red construction paper 

Strategy:

1. Review telling time by demonstration and then let class review on their own 
   with individual Judy clocks. 
2. Make paper plate analog clocks. 
3. Discuss the four standard time zones on U.S.A. map. 
4. Give the students a teaser question: "My friend in New York called her 
   grandfather in California.  It was 8:00 a.m. and she woke him up!  How can 
   that be?"  Discuss why they think she woke him up. 
5. Let children share their own experiences with time zones; for example going  
   to visit relatives in California and seeing a TV announcement that a show 
   will be on at "8:00 p.m. eastern 7:00 p.m. central and 5:00 p.m. pacific 
   time." 
6. Show using map why the time zones are different.  Practice with students to 
   be sure they understand the different zones.  Give them a time in the eastern 
   time zone and get them to line up across the room in the other three time 
   zones. Change the time and place new students in different spots to review. 

Performance Assessment:

Step six of my strategy is the first way I will be able to assess my students.
I can tell how much students have mastered this concept through a discussion and 
an individual performance evaluation.