Math lesson plan · 4th grade (Year 5 in England) · 30 minutes
12-hour and 24-hour clock
Measurement
England: Y4 MeasurementEngland: Y5 Measurement
Objective and success criteria
Students will: 12-hour and 24-hour clock.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Tell time to five minutes
Leads to: Timetables and time problems; 24-hour times and durations, including overnight; Read bus and train timetables
Materials: Rulers, scales and measuring jugs, Clock faces, Conversion chart, Mini whiteboards and pens, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 4 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Tell time to five minutes). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
Hook · 3 min
- Ask the class to estimate the length of the room or the weight of a bag before measuring it.
- Share the objective: 12-hour and 24-hour clock. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 7 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Write 3:30 p.m. using the 24-hour clock. Type it like 14:05.
- Step 1: 3 + 12 = 15
- Step 2: 15:30
- Answer: 15:30
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 6 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- Write 5:50 a.m. using the 24-hour clock. Type it like 14:05. → 05:50Prompt: Morning times keep the same hour; write it with two digits.
- A train leaves at 13:15. What is this on a 12-hour clock? Type it like 2:05 (it is p.m.). → 1:15Prompt: Subtract 12 from the hour.
You do: independent practice · 7 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 3 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- A train leaves at 16:50. What is this on a 12-hour clock? Type it like 2:05 (it is p.m.). → 4:50Prompt: Subtract 12 from the hour.
- Write 5:35 a.m. using the 24-hour clock. Type it like 14:05. → 05:35Prompt: Morning times keep the same hour; write it with two digits.
Watch out for
- Measuring from the end of the ruler instead of zero.
- Converting units the wrong way (multiplying instead of dividing).
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Tell time to five minutes.
- Use concrete materials: rulers, scales and measuring jugs.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Move on to: Timetables and time problems; 24-hour times and durations, including overnight; Read bus and train timetables.
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/math/grade-4.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder