Why the number line wins
Most elapsed-time mistakes come from counting on fingers and losing the hour along the way. Time behaves like distance: mark the start, hop the whole hours, then count the leftover minutes. Students stop guessing and start seeing the gap.
What's inside
- 3 anchor charts — the 3-hop method, counting back when the start time is missing, and how to check the answer
- 24 differentiated task cards in three levels
- Blank number line templates students write on
- Full answer keys and an ink-saving version
- 21 pages, print and go
Instant download on Teachers Pay Teachers. Color and ink-saving black-and-white included.
Step 1Mark the start time on the line.
Step 2Hop the whole hours first.
Step 3Count the leftover minutes.