Telling Time in Different Time Zone

Borita Khim                    Stockton Elementary School
                               4420 N. Beacon
                               Chicago IL 60640
                               (312) 534-2450

Objective:

To have the 4th grade students learn to tell time in different time zones. 

Materials:    
    
Paper plates, fasteners, crayons, scissors, pencils, pens, markers, 2 different 
colors of construction paper, digital and standard face clocks, transparency of 
time zone map and time zone maps for class, funtac, envelopes and card boards. 

Strategy: 
    
1. Discuss with the students the importance of knowing the time in different 
   places so that people can communicate with  each other without having time 
   conflict. 
              
2. Show students a standard clock
             
3. Have students make their own clocks out of the paper plates.
              
4. Show students the map of the U.S.A. that shows the various time zones. Show 
   time zone map transparency which explains time zone divisions.  Read the time 
   on the map with students and discuss the time in different parts of the 
   U.S.A.  Give students the map of the U.S.A. that shows the various time 
   zones. 
                    
5. Have students turn their clocks to the current time and ask students if the 
   current time in California is the same as the time in Chicago.  Wait for 
   students to respond.  Ask questions about various time zones. 
              
6. Group students into six groups. Each group represents a different time zone 
   (Hawaii, Alaska, Pacific, Mountain, Central, and Eastern). 
              
7. Instruct groups to turn their clocks to a specific time in any time zone and 
   have all groups adjust the time to their particular time zones.  Then ask 
   them if their time is behind or ahead of the specific time given.  Ask 
   questions on various time zones and have groups change zones. 
              
8. Give each group an envelope that contains four state labels. Have the group 
   find the states and the time zones.  One of the group members places the 
   labels on the map of the states and tells the time zone and the difference 
   from the time in the Central time zone. 

9. Give each group a card board that has two clocks on the top, one indicates 
   the Chicago time and the other one is blank with the word Hawaii on the top.  
   Below the clocks there are questions which ask students to look at the 
   Chicago time and find the Hawaii time and describe what boys and girls would 
   be doing in both states at that time.