Tools for Measuring Time

Have you ever wondered how people measured time before calendars and wall clocks?

Well this week our second graders created different tools to measure time.

One of the tools we made was a sand clock. With a partner, students used some sand, paper and a paper plate to make a sand clock/sand timer. These can be used to measure the duration of time.

  

Another tool, students had to follow instructions to make was a water clock. Water clocks measure time by the flow of water into a container. The measurements are then marked on the container.

One more tool, students made to measure time was a sundial. We used a paper plate and a straw to create our own sundials. We placed the sundials in the sun with the Number 12 facing North so that the shadow cast would tell us the correct time.