What time is it when we say that it's half past seven? Quarter to twelve? Five twenty-eight? Learning how to tell time can be a complicated task--one that requires some knowledge of fractions, the ability to skip count by fives, addition, and even a measure of abstract thought.
This video attempts to teach children how to read clocks and helps them gain a broader understanding of time. It accomplishes these tasks quite admirably through a presentation that is laced with humor. Everything kids need to know about time is touched upon in this jazzy video--from reading time to the hour all the way to the minute. As well, digital time and calendars are presented.
Timothy Time, an alarm clock come-to-life, is the host of this 40-minute video, and he is supported by a playful cuckoo bird character. The characters are likeable and fun, and young viewers will enjoy the spirit of the program. At one point, for example, Timothy dons dark sunglasses and says, "Pump up the bass" before moving onto another lesson.
In typical Rock n Learn style, rapping rhymes are used to get the video's lessons across. First, kids get acquainted with the analog clock: the numbers on the large face of the program's demonstration clock are introduced with the rhyme, "12 is at the top; and the 6 is at the bottom; Every time you look; that's where you'll spot 'em". Each number is highlighted as it is introduced. Next, kids learn about the clock's special hands. Then, Timothy shows kids a "cool trick" for reading time to the hour, and the video then cycles through each hour (1 o'clock, 2 o'clock, and so forth).
Whenever a new concept is taught (and each is taught in an appropriately orderly fashion), the video gives kids plenty of opportunity to practice their new skills in a more random fashion. When practice clocks are shown, the video pauses to allow for audience participation.
Time of day is also presented: kids are told that there are two of each hour in a day, and vignettes help viewers relate clock times to important times of day, such as 8:00 AM as the start of the school day.
After learning to read time to the hour, the video presents time to the half hour, to the quarter hour, in 5-minute intervals, and, finally, to the minute. The program ends with explorations of digital time and calendars (including days of the week, months of the year, and the number of days in a month).
The exploration of time in Rock n Learn Telling Time is exhaustive. Since there is a whole lot to absorb, this is not a video to take in all in one sitting. Of course, children cannot be expected to learn how to tell time in the span of 40 minutes, so it helps to present the video in chunks. Let's face it--learning about time takes quite a bit of time! In addition, it is helpful to support the video's lessons in the real world by pointing out the time to young children at various points in the day. It is helpful to own a hands-on teaching clock for an effective way to reinforce time telling. We recommend The Primary Time Teacher Learning Clock by Learning Resources for this purpose.
Because the video thoroughly teaches time from the basics on up, it is a valuable video for kids of a variety of ages. For this reason, it makes a good choice for families with multiple children.
All in all, this video is thoughtfully produced and very valuable as a teaching tool.
