Where Did The Time Go?

1.1 More Sun!: Learning About Daylight Saving Time
1.2 Benjamin Banneker and Clock Building
1.3 Clockwatchers: Time Management for Teens and Teachers

This Sunday, we will be turning back time (if only for a few months!). Yes, it’s the end of daylight saving time, and in this week’s Virginia Homeschool Classroom, we’ve included some fun ways to learn–and teach–about clocks and daylight saving time, and even some cool tools to help your students manage their own time.

1.1 More Sun!: Learning About Daylight Saving Time

Download this free daylight saving time board game to use as a fun, unstructured lesson for your younger students, or include the whole family in the game.

For a fairly comprehensive presentation explaining daylight saving time, check this “cloudy” website. Perhaps after reading these facts and anecdotes, your students could create a “Jeopardy”-style game to quiz each other about DST.

Students of all ages can benefit from the logic and reasoning skills used in an enthusiastic debate. They can start their research with this daylight saving time pros and cons list, then prepare a presentation highlighting the positive and negative arguments, or assign family members to teams and stage a full-blown debate.

1.2 Benjamin Banneker and Clock Building

Do you know who built the first clock in America? Benjamin Banneker, a largely self-educated inventor, scientist, astronomer, and author, created the first clock built in America after studying a pocketwatch lent to him by a friend. Learn more about this fascinating man and his contributions to the fields of agriculture, science, and more. Some helpful resources include the Benjamin Banneker Memorial website, and his biography on Famous Black Inventors.

Using this tutorial, younger students can “build” their own clock using a paper plate and other common items found around the house.

While carving all of a clock’s components by hand may be a bit above most of our skill levels, designing and creating your own clock with the help of a DIY clock kit is a fun, interactive way for students to learn how clocks work. This project can be tailored to fit a wide range of ages.

1.3 Clockwatchers: Time Management for Teens and Teachers

Your high school student doesn’t need to learn how to tell time, but learning how to spend time wisely is something most people–students and adults–can always improve upon.

Learning time management skills as a teen is an invaluable way to embrace the path of success in many areas of their lives. It will create a foundation to build upon far beyond their teen years.

Need help managing your life as a homeschool mom? This article from The Homeschool Recourse Room shares how to use the trendy idea of a bullet journal to keep track of your busy homeschool life and manage precious time.