What's the difference: Telling time vs elapsed time Grade 3

📚 Telling Time vs. Elapsed Time: A Beginner's Guide

Time is everywhere! But are we just reading the clock, or are we figuring out how much time has passed? Let's explore the difference between simply 'telling time' and understanding 'elapsed time'.

⏱️ What is Telling Time?

Telling time involves identifying the time on a clock or watch. This is like reading a snapshot of a specific moment.

• 👁️‍🗨️ Reading an Analog Clock: This involves understanding the hour and minute hands. The hour hand tells us which hour it is, while the minute hand tells us how many minutes past the hour.
• 📱 Reading a Digital Clock: Digital clocks display the time numerically, making it easy to read the current hour and minute.
• 🗣️ Expressing Time: We express time using terms like 'o'clock,' 'quarter past,' 'half past,' and 'quarter to.'

⏳ What is Elapsed Time?

Elapsed time is the amount of time that passes between a start time and an end time. It involves calculating the duration of an event or activity.

• ➕ Calculating Time Intervals: This often involves adding or subtracting hours and minutes to determine the time that has passed.
• 📅 Using Time Lines: Visualizing time on a number line can help calculate elapsed time more easily.
• 📝 Real-World Applications: Figuring out how long a movie lasts or how much time you spend doing homework are examples of calculating elapsed time.

📊 Telling Time vs. Elapsed Time: The Key Differences

💡 Key Takeaways

• 🎯 Telling time is about knowing *when* something is happening.
• ⏰ Elapsed time is about understanding *how long* something takes.
• 🧩 Both skills are essential for managing our daily schedules and understanding the world around us.