Telling Time with Analog Clocks

We tell time every day, whether it is by looking at our cell phones, watches, or a clock on the wall. Before cell phones and the popularity of digital clocks, we used analog clocks to tell time. We still use analog clocks today, especially in public places. What is an analog clock?

Standards & Objectives

Learning objectives: 
  • Students will tell time on standard analog clocks.
  • Students will tell time on analog clocks with Roman Numerals or without numbers
Essential and guiding questions: 

How do we tell time on analog clocks? Why is it important to be able to tell time? 

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level: 
Applying
Extension suggestions: 

What if the analog clock was a square instead of a circle? How would that change how you tell time? Would it be easier or more difficult to tell time with a square clock? Why or why not?

Helpful Hints

MATERIALS AND RESOURCES
Primary Sources: Library of Congress

  • One of what were 55 street clocks in Seattle, Washington, which was known as the "City of Clocks" [ca. 1980-2006]
  • Miscellaneous subjects. Upper half of clock or watch face [ca. 1920-1950]
  • One of what were 55 street clocks in Seattle, Washington, which was known as the "City of Clocks" [ca. 1980-2006]
  • Perspective view of one of Columbia's two street clocks - Columbia Street Clock, On Hampton Street, near the intersection of Main and Hampton streets, Columbia, Richland County, SC [After 1933]
  • Courtroom clock, James T. Foley U.S. Post Office and Courthouse, Albany, New York [2007]
  • Street clock, Seattle, Washington [ca. 1980-2006]
  • One of what were 55 street clocks in Seattle, Washington, which was known as the "City of Clocks" [ca. 1980-2006]
  • An old bank clock that once stood outside the First National Bank in downtown Cisco, Texas [2014]
  • Wall clock. Library of Congress John Adams Building, Washington, D.C. [2007]