What Are Some Strategies to Teach Elapsed Time?

Elapsed time and duration of time subjects are difficult for students to grasp, and it takes a lot of practice and the implementation of various strategies to help them along. Some methods for teaching elapsed time are

• Elapsed Time on a T-Chart
• Elapsed Time Using the ZOOM Strategy
• Mountains Hills and Rocks Strategy
• Elapsed Time on a Number Line

While no one strategy is perfect for every student, many teachers agree that using a number line is often the strategy students take to the fastest. The linear model allows students to visually see where the time is going and how times change from A.M. to P.M. This year, we’re excited to help you teach your students about elapsed time, so we’ve created a handy new Elapsed Time ruler to help your students master this difficult skill.

Download and Print Your Free Elapsed Time Ruler

This resource is available as an easy-to-use Google Slides or Printable PDF Resource file. To get your copy, click the dropdown arrow on the download button to select your preferred file format. Make your copies, pass them out to your students, and you’re ready to begin!

This resource was created by Cassandra Friesen, a teacher in Colorado and Teach Starter Collaborator.

More Ways to Help Your Students Find the Elapsed Time

Has this resource piqued your interest in our teacher-made, curriculum-aligned elapsed time resources? Click below for more great time-saving options!

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Elapsed Time With Clocks – Worksheet

A worksheet for students to practice calculating elapsed time.

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Time to the Minute Poke Cards

Practice reading analog clocks and telling time to the minute with this set of self-checking poke cards.

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Telling Time Knockout

Practice telling time to the minute by reading analog and digital clocks with this competitive whole-class Telling Time Knockout game.