Who is this guide for?

It is written for readers who need a clear, practical explanation before taking action.

How often is this page updated?

The page can be regenerated or refreshed from the management interface when source data changes.

Home
Learning
Journey To School Maths
Maths hiding in getting to school: rainy-day plans

Journey To School Maths

Maths hiding in getting to school: rainy-day plans

Estimate extra time needed for coats, boots or slower travel.

Quick answer

Maths hiding in getting to school: rainy-day plans helps you work out how much extra time you need for getting ready and walking to school when it's wet outside. You can use simple addition, subtraction, and counting to plan your journey and make sure you're not late.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to:

Estimate how much longer your journey to school takes on rainy days
Use simple maths to add and subtract time needed for getting ready
Plan a rainy-day school trip using your own time calculations
Understand how weather affects your daily routine and travel time

Why this matters

When it rains, getting to school can take longer. You might need to put on a coat, boots, or a raincoat. You might walk more slowly, or take a different route. All of these changes can add time to your journey. Learning how to calculate this helps you get ready, plan your day, and avoid being late. It's also a fun way to see how maths is all around you – even in your everyday school routine!

How it works

Let’s think about how to work out how much extra time you need for a rainy-day journey to school.

First, figure out how long it normally takes you to get to school.
Then, think about what extra things you do on rainy days (like putting on boots or walking slowly).
Next, add up the extra time you spend doing these things.
Finally, add this extra time to your normal journey time.

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine you normally take 15 minutes to walk to school. On rainy days, you do a few extra things:

It takes 3 minutes to put on your coat
It takes 2 minutes to put on your boots
It takes 1 minute to dry your hands with a towel
You walk 2 minutes slower because the rain makes the ground slippery

So, your extra time is:

3 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 8 minutes

Your total journey time is:

15 + 8 = 23 minutes

Real-world example: Sarah usually walks to school in 10 minutes. On rainy days, she takes 3 extra minutes to get dressed, 2 extra minutes to put on boots, and 1 minute to dry her hands. She also walks 2 minutes slower. How long does Sarah’s journey take on rainy days?

Extra time = 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 8 minutes
Total journey = 10 + 8 = 18 minutes

Try it as a mini adventure

Rainy-Day School Journey Challenge You are planning a rainy-day journey to school. Here’s your adventure:

Step 1: Write down how long your normal journey takes (e.g. 12 minutes)
Step 2: List 3 things you do differently on rainy days (e.g. put on boots, dry hands, walk slower)
Step 3: Estimate how many extra minutes each thing takes (e.g. boots = 2 mins, dry hands = 1 min, walk slower = 3 mins)
Step 4: Add up your extra minutes
Step 5: Add your extra minutes to your normal journey time
Step 6: Draw a picture of your rainy-day journey or write about it

Example:

Normal journey: 10 minutes
Rainy-day things: boots (2 mins), dry hands (1 min), walk slower (3 mins)
Extra time: 2 + 1 + 3 = 6 minutes
Total journey time: 10 + 6 = 16 minutes

Common mistakes

Mistake: Forgetting to add the time it takes to get dressed or put on boots.
Why it happens: It’s easy to forget the small things that take time!
Fix: Make a list of rainy-day tasks and write down how long each one takes.

Mistake: Adding the wrong numbers or making a mistake in counting.
Why it happens: Sometimes we get distracted or tired when adding.
Fix: Use your fingers, draw pictures, or count aloud to help.

Mistake: Thinking that walking slower means less time, not more.
Why it happens: It’s easy to think that going slower is faster!
Fix: Remember: if you walk slower, it takes longer to get there.

Parent and carer guide

Parents and carers can help by:

Asking the child to explain how they calculated their extra time
Using a timer to check how long things like putting on boots or drying hands take
Letting the child make a drawing or chart of their rainy-day journey
Encouraging the child to think of other rainy-day tasks that might add time
Practising simple addition and subtraction with real-life examples

What to say:

“How much time do you think it takes to put on your boots?”
“Can you draw a picture of your rainy-day journey?”
“What if you had to walk even slower? How much more time would that take?”

What not to worry about:

It’s okay if the child makes a small mistake in counting – they’re learning!
Don’t push the child to get the exact answer right away – encourage thinking
Let them explore and enjoy the maths in their own way

Practice questions

Tom normally walks to school in 8 minutes. On rainy days, he takes 2 minutes to get dressed, 1 minute to put on boots, and 2 minutes slower walking. How long does his journey take on rainy days?
Lily usually takes 12 minutes to walk to school. She takes 3 minutes to dry her hands and 2 minutes to put on a raincoat. She also walks 1 minute slower. How long is her journey on rainy days?
Emma normally walks to school in 15 minutes. On rainy days, she takes 2 minutes to put on a raincoat, 3 minutes to put on boots, and 1 minute to dry her hands. She walks 2 minutes slower. How long is her journey?
Jack usually takes 10 minutes to get to school. He takes 2 minutes to put on a raincoat, 1 minute to put on boots, and 3 minutes slower walking. How long does his journey take?
Anna normally takes 14 minutes to walk to school. On rainy days, she takes 1 minute to dry her hands, 2 minutes to put on boots, and 2 minutes slower walking. How long is her journey?

Answers:

8 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 13 minutes
12 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 18 minutes
15 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 2 = 23 minutes
10 + 2 + 1 + 3 = 16 minutes
14 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 19 minutes

FAQ

How can I help my child learn about time and maths in daily life?

You can talk about how long it takes to get ready, walk, or travel. Ask questions like, “How much longer does it take to get dressed?” or “What if we had to walk slower?” These help build time awareness and calculation skills.

Is it okay if my child makes mistakes in time calculations?

Yes! Making mistakes is part of learning. Encourage your child to try again and explain their thinking. Mistakes help them understand better.

How can I make maths fun while planning rainy-day journeys?

Turn it into a game! Let your child plan the journey, draw it, or pretend to walk through it. You can even time each activity to see how long it really takes.

What if my child doesn’t like maths in real life?

Start small. Try one simple activity, like timing how long it takes to put on a coat. As they see how maths helps them, they’ll start to enjoy it more.

How can I use this to help with school maths?

This helps with addition, subtraction, and understanding time. It also builds problem-solving skills and shows how maths is used in real life. It’s a great way to connect home and school learning.