Identifying time and familiar devices used for telling time for Primary 1

Class: Primary 1
Term: Third Term
Week: 7
Age: 6 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Basic Science
Curriculum Theme: Science, Technology and Development
Focal competence: Using technology products to measure weight, length and time
Key competencies/values: Communication; ICT and Digital Competencies
Skills:

• Identifying length, weight and time

Previous Lesson: Comparing the weight of familiar objects
Topic: Measuring Things: Time
Subject Matter: Identifying time, familiar devices used for telling time

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Identify time as something that can be measured.
• Identify common devices used for telling time.
• Explain the ideas of a.m. and p.m. at the taught level.
• State the time units: second, minute and hour.

Psychomotor Domain

• Use a simple time device (model clock) to read time in a guided activity.

Social Domain

• Relate daily activities to specific times of the day.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• Basic Science for Primary 1, A.B. Danladi & Sons Publishers
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Model clock and watch
• Time charts
• Real wall clock
• Wristwatch
• Pictures of various time-telling devices (e.g., alarm clock, phone with clock)

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the concept of time, which is fundamental to daily life and future learning in science and mathematics. It equips them with the ability to identify and use simple tools for telling time, fostering an early appreciation for measurement and organization. Understanding time helps pupils manage their daily routines and activities effectively.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils can already identify some numbers and understand simple instructions. They are familiar with daily routines like waking up, eating, and going to school.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Measuring Things: Time

What is Time?

Time tells us when an event happens or how long an activity takes. It helps us organize our day.

Everyday Time Words

We use many words to talk about time. Examples include:

1. Morning
2. Afternoon
3. Evening
4. Night
5. Today
6. Tomorrow
7. Yesterday
8. Quickly
9. Slowly

Devices for Telling Time

We use different devices to know the time. These are called time-telling devices.

Examples of time-telling devices:

1. Wall clock
2. Wristwatch
3. Alarm clock
4. Phone clock
5. Hourglass (for measuring specific durations)

Most clocks have numbers and hands that move to show the time.

Units of Time

Time is measured in units. The basic units of time are:

1. Second: A very short amount of time.
2. Minute: 60 seconds make 1 minute.
3. Hour: 60 minutes make 1 hour.

Understanding a.m. and p.m.

We use a.m. and p.m. to tell if it is morning, afternoon or night.

1. a.m. stands for the time from midnight (12:00 at night) until noon (12:00 in the day). We say “7 a.m.” for morning.
2. p.m. stands for the time from noon (12:00 in the day) until midnight (12:00 at night). We say “7 p.m.” for evening.

Relating Daily Activities to Time

Our daily activities happen at different times:

1. Waking up: Usually in the morning (e.g., 6 a.m. or 7 a.m.).
2. Going to school: In the morning (e.g., 8 a.m.).
3. Eating lunch: In the afternoon (e.g., 1 p.m.).
4. Playing: In the afternoon or evening (e.g., 4 p.m.).
5. Sleeping: At night (e.g., 8 p.m. or 9 p.m.).

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Explanation, Observation, Individual Practice

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Activating prior knowledge

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them to name things they can measure (e.g., length of a table, weight of a book). The teacher then asks how they know when it is time to eat or go home.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond by naming measurable things and sharing how they know different times of the day.

Learning Point: Importance of measurement

Step 2: What is Time?

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains that time tells us when something happens or how long an activity takes. The teacher gives simple examples like “It is time for school” or “The lesson takes 30 minutes.”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and repeat simple phrases about time.

Learning Point: Meaning of time

Step 3: Everyday Time Words

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Discussion/Question and Answer

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks pupils what words they use to talk about different parts of the day. The teacher introduces and writes down words like morning, afternoon, evening, night, today, tomorrow, yesterday.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils share words they know and repeat new time words after the teacher.

Learning Point: Common time words

Step 4: Devices for Telling Time

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Observation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays a real wall clock, a wristwatch, and pictures of other time-telling devices (e.g., alarm clock, phone clock). The teacher discusses how these devices help people know the time and points out the numbers and hands on the clock.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the devices, identify them, and discuss how they see time being told at home or school.

Learning Point: Time-telling devices

Step 5: Units of Time

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains that time is measured in units: second, minute, and hour. The teacher briefly explains that 60 seconds make a minute and 60 minutes make an hour, using simple hand gestures to show short and longer durations.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and repeat the units of time.

Learning Point: Units of time

Step 6: a.m., p.m. and Daily Activities

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Relating concepts

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains a.m. (morning) and p.m. (afternoon/evening/night) with simple examples related to daily activities (e.g., “We come to school at 8 a.m.”, “We go home at 2 p.m.”). The teacher uses a model clock to show simple times (e.g., 7 o’clock, 1 o’clock) and asks pupils to relate them to activities.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify whether activities happen in a.m. or p.m. and practice reading simple times on the model clock with guidance.

Learning Point: a.m., p.m., daily routines

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. What does time tell us?
2. Name two devices used for telling time.
3. What does ‘a.m.’ mean?
4. Name one unit of time.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Time concepts understood

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to copy the essential Board Summary notes on time, time-telling devices, and units of time into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Notes on time

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarizes the lesson, emphasizing the importance of time in daily life and encouraging pupils to observe clocks at home. The teacher praises pupils for their participation.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and respond to the teacher’s closing remarks.

Learning Point: Time concept consolidation

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Answer the following questions in your notebook:

1. Draw a wall clock and write the numbers 1 to 12 on it.
2. Name two things you do in the morning (a.m.).
3. Name two things you do in the evening (p.m.).
4. Ask an adult at home what time they wake up and write it down.

Lesson Keywords

• Time – When an event happens or how long an activity takes.
• Clock – A device used for telling time.
• Watch – A small clock worn on the wrist.
• Second – A very short unit of time.
• Minute – A unit of time equal to 60 seconds.
• Hour – A unit of time equal to 60 minutes.
• a.m. – Stands for morning time (before noon).
• p.m. – Stands for afternoon/evening/night time (after noon).

Differentiation

Support for weaker learners: Provide pre-drawn clock faces for them to label numbers. Focus on identifying only one or two time-telling devices and relating them to one main activity (e.g., school time). Use larger, clearer time charts.

Extension for faster learners: Challenge them to draw a clock showing a specific time, or to name more activities that happen at different times of the day. They can also try to identify the hour and minute hands on a clock.

Suggested Lesson Videos

Search on YouTube for: “Primary 1 Basic Science telling time for kids Nigeria”

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have a real wall clock, a wristwatch, and a model clock with movable hands. Prepare simple time charts showing different times of the day and related activities. Begin by engaging pupils with questions about their daily routines to make the concept of time relatable. Demonstrate how clocks work clearly, pointing out the hour and minute hands. When explaining a.m. and p.m., use concrete examples from the pupils’ lives. Guide them through reading simple times on the model clock. Encourage active participation throughout the lesson. Pupils should copy the Board Summary notes after the main teaching and review activities to consolidate their learning. Check their understanding frequently through questions and observation.