Feeding Times maths mission

Quick answer

You can use feeding times to learn how to tell time and understand how long different periods of time are, using real-life situations with your pets.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to read the time on an analogue clock and understand how much time passes between feeding your pet at different times.

• You can tell the time to the hour and half-hour
• You can work out how long it is between two feeding times
• You can plan a feeding schedule for your pet
• You can use your pet's feeding times to practice counting and addition

Why this matters

Learning to tell time and understand how time passes is useful for many things in daily life. When you feed your pet, you're not just giving them food – you're also learning about time, counting, and planning. This helps you get better at telling time and understanding how long things take. It also helps you be more responsible and think about your pet's needs.

When you understand time, you can:

• Know when to do your homework
• Plan your day
• Understand how long you have to finish a game
• Know when to go to bed or wake up

Time is everywhere, and your pet's feeding times are a perfect way to learn about it!

How it works

Feeding times are a great way to learn about time because they happen regularly. You can:

1. Look at the clock when you feed your pet
2. Notice how the hands move
3. Work out how long it is between feedings
4. Plan your own feeding times

There are two main parts to time:

• The hour hand (short hand) – this tells you the hour
• The minute hand (long hand) – this tells you how many minutes past the hour

When the minute hand points to 12, it's on the hour. When it points to 6, it's half past the hour.

Examples you can see

Let's imagine you have a pet dog named Max. Max needs to be fed twice a day. Here's how you can use time to plan his feeding:

Let's say you feed Max at 7:00 am and again at 5:30 pm. How long is it between the two feedings?

From 7:00 am to 12:00 pm is 5 hours.

From 12:00 pm to 5:30 pm is 5 hours and 30 minutes.

So, 5 + 5 hours and 30 minutes = 10 hours and 30 minutes.

Here's another example:

If you feed your pet at 9:00 am and again at 1:00 pm, how long is it between the two?

From 9:00 am to 12:00 pm is 3 hours.

From 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm is 1 hour.

So, 3 + 1 = 4 hours.

Try it as a mini adventure

Imagine you are a pet-sitter for a week. You have to feed three pets: a cat, a bird, and a fish. Each pet needs to be fed at different times. Here's your mission:

1. You feed the cat at 8:00 am
2. You feed the bird at 10:30 am
3. You feed the fish at 2:00 pm
4. You feed the cat again at 6:00 pm
5. You feed the bird again at 8:00 pm
6. You feed the fish again at 10:00 pm

Now, let's find out how much time passes between each feeding:

1. Cat: 8:00 am to 10:30 am = ?
2. Bird: 10:30 am to 2:00 pm = ?
3. Fish: 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm = ?
4. Cat: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm = ?
5. Bird: 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm = ?
6. Fish: 10:00 pm to 8:00 am next day = ?

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking that the hour hand tells the minutes.
• Why it happens: Children often mix up the hands on a clock.
• Fix: Remember, the hour hand is short and the minute hand is long.

• Mistake: Counting the hours incorrectly when working out time between feedings.
• Why it happens: It can be confusing when the time goes past 12:00.
• Fix: Break the time into parts. For example, from 7:00 am to 12:00 pm is 5 hours, then from 12:00 pm to 5:30 pm is 5 hours and 30 minutes.

• Mistake: Forgetting that half past the hour means 30 minutes.
• Why it happens: The minute hand is halfway around the clock, but children might not understand this.
• Fix: Practice counting by 5s around the clock to understand that 6 means 30 minutes.

Parent and carer guide

Helping your child with Feeding Times maths mission can be fun and easy:

1. Ask questions: Ask your child to tell you what time they feed their pet. Then ask how long it is between feedings.
2. Use a real clock: If you have an analogue clock, let your child practice setting the time.
3. Make a chart: Create a chart showing when your pet is fed each day. This helps with time recognition.
4. Count together: Count the hours between feedings. This helps with addition and time understanding.
5. Be patient: It's okay if your child makes mistakes. Time is tricky, but practice helps.

Remember, this is a real-life activity that makes time more meaningful. It's not just about worksheets!

Practice questions

1. What time is it if the hour hand is on 3 and the minute hand is on 12?

   Answer: 3:00

2. How long is it from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm?

   Answer: 3 hours and 30 minutes

3. What time is half past 6?

   Answer: 6:30

4. If you feed your pet at 7:00 am and again at 7:00 pm, how long is it between feedings?

   Answer: 12 hours

5. How long is it from 9:30 am to 11:00 am?

   Answer: 1 hour and 30 minutes

FAQ

How can I help my child learn time with feeding pets?

You can ask your child to tell you what time they feed their pet and how long it is between feedings. You can also make a chart or use a real clock to practice.

What if my child gets confused about the hands on the clock?

It's okay! You can explain that the short hand is the hour hand and the long hand is the minute hand. Practice together by pointing to each hand and asking what it shows.

Is it okay to use digital clocks for this activity?

Yes, but it's better to use an analogue clock to help your child understand how time moves. Digital clocks are useful too, but they don't show the movement of time like an analogue clock does.

How often should I practice feeding times?

It's best to practice a little bit every day. Even 5 minutes of time practice each day helps build understanding and confidence.

Can I make this activity more fun?

Yes! You can turn it into a game. For example, you can set a timer and see how long it takes to get ready to feed your pet. You can also create a story where your pet is a character who needs to be fed at different times.