It's About Time, Part 2

Know the true value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness, no laziness, no procrastination: never put off till to-morrow what you can do to-day. -- Lord Chesterfield

In part 1 of this article, It's about Time, I describe some ways to teach time telling, provide some resources about time zones. This article will continue with more information, ideas, resources, and links about time.

Daylight Saving Time

Another time concept for students to grasp is the idea of Daylight Saving Time. (Note: Daylight Saving Time - not Savings Time) This time change is not observed in all places around the world, or even in all parts of the United States, but over 70 countries do use it. Discuss the reasons it was first started and why we continue it in many places today.

Some excellent explanations about Daylight Saving Time can be found at Daylight Saving Time, Saving Time, TimeChange.com, and Daylight Saving Time at About.com

Ways to Tell Time

Before there were clocks as we know them, men told time using a variety of kinds of "clocks" and sometimes no "clock" at all. Sundials, water clocks, star and moon clocks were all used to tell time. Here are some of these interesting ways time was told in the past, and how it may be told in the future.

Telling time by the moon, the sun and the stars was common before the use of clocks as we know them.Students can practice telling time using the moon at this site: Telling Time by the Light of the Moon. The lesson plan for grades 6-8 is complete with worksheets, overhead transparency templates and a hands-on activity. Telling Time by Sun and Stars teaches students how to use a sundial and a star clock. Telling Time Without a Clock is a great site for learning how time was told in the past using the position of the sun and a system called Daymarks. You can set up a daymark system at your school and have your students practice this ancient way of telling time.

Students may be interested to learn about The Hora Terrae Clock. This new way of telling time allows you to know the time around the world and in your own town. It does not depend on time zones, but uses a system based on longitude. A challenge for older students. Another "new" way to tell time is using an atomic clock. The "Atomic Age" of Time Standards discusses the evolution of this very accurate way to tell time. How Stuff Works: Atomic Clocks is another site to see about this type of clock. Finally, Clockworks: From Sundials to the Atomic Second