Skip over navigation
Cambridge University Faculty of Mathematics NRich logo
menu search
  • Teachers expand_more
    • Early years
    • Primary
    • Secondary
    • Post-16
    • Events
    • Professional development
  • Students expand_more
    • Primary
    • Secondary
    • Post-16
  • Parents expand_more
    • Early Years
    • Primary
    • Secondary
    • Post-16
  • Problem-Solving Schools
  • About NRICH expand_more
    • About us
    • Impact stories
    • Support us
    • Our funders
    • Contact us
  • search

Or search by topic

Number and algebra

  • The Number System and Place Value
  • Calculations and Numerical Methods
  • Fractions, Decimals, Percentages, Ratio and Proportion
  • Properties of Numbers
  • Patterns, Sequences and Structure
  • Algebraic expressions, equations and formulae
  • Coordinates, Functions and Graphs

Geometry and measure

  • Angles, Polygons, and Geometrical Proof
  • 3D Geometry, Shape and Space
  • Measuring and calculating with units
  • Transformations and constructions
  • Pythagoras and Trigonometry
  • Vectors and Matrices

Probability and statistics

  • Handling, Processing and Representing Data
  • Probability

Working mathematically

  • Thinking mathematically
  • Developing positive attitudes
  • Cross-curricular contexts

Advanced mathematics

  • Decision Mathematics and Combinatorics
  • Advanced Probability and Statistics
  • Mechanics
  • Calculus

For younger learners

  • Early Years Foundation Stage

Time Line

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow star
  • Problem
  • Getting Started
  • Student Solutions
  • Teachers' Resources

Time Line


The clocks below show some important times during Emma's day.

 
clock one
clock2
clock 3 clock 4
 

Using the times on the clocks, can you describe what you think Emma might do in a day?

 

Why do this problem?

This problem aims to link together telling the time with the concept of time passing. It offers practice for children in telling the time on an analogue clock but also allows them to be imaginative. Once pupils have made up their own descriptions, it might be appropriate to share some with the rest of the class. A few words could be written under a picture of each clock face to indicate what Emma was doing at that time. This would allow you to talk with the children about how much time had passed between different events.

Key questions

Which clock tells the earliest time?
Which clock tells the latest time?
Can you order the clocks?
Perhaps you could think about what you do at each of these times?

Possible extension

Children could make four clock faces of their own to show special times in their day.
 

You may also like

Order, Order!

Can you place these quantities in order from smallest to largest?

What Is the Time?

Can you put these times on the clocks in order? You might like to arrange them in a circle.

  • Tech help
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Sign up to our newsletter
  • Twitter X logo

The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice.

NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.

University of Cambridge logo NRICH logo