Practice numeracy tasks for time

Use the resources in this section to help you practise the learning outcomes for this module. We have offered some suggestions after each one below:

Read and record time, and convert between 12-hour and 24-hour formats
  1. Check the time on different devices throughout the day.
    • Display digital and analogue devices around the house (and/or wear different watch types) and read the time to yourself in both 12 and 24-hour formats.
    • Adjust the time display options on your computer, tablet and/or smartphone so they show the time in different formats.
  2. Keep a journal or use a calendar app to record appointments in both formats. e.g. "Dentist – 2:15 p.m. / 14:15".
  3. Make a timetable for a workday, weekend routine, or TV guide and write the times using both 12-hour and 24-hour formats.
Calculate and record duration in both 12-hour and 24-hour formats
  1. Plan and record everyday activities e.g. walking, reading, sleeping.
    • Write the start and end times in both formats.
    • Calculate the duration of each activity.
  2. Plan and record a journey.
    • Write the start and end times in both formats.
    • Calculate the duration of the journey.
Convert recorded durations between seconds, minutes and hours
  1. Time some short tasks e.g. singing a song, washing your hands, boiling a kettle.
    • Use a stopwatch or phone timer.
    • Convert the time recorded in minutes and seconds to just seconds.
  2. Note the duration of a pre-recorded radio/tv programme or online video/podcast and convert this to seconds.
Estimate journey times, including across time zones
  1. Plan a day out with multiple stops (e.g. shop → café → museum → home).
    • Estimate travel time between each location.
    • Add up total travel time and total time out.
    • Record in both hours and minutes, and minutes only: e.g. "2 hours 45 minutes" and "165 minutes".
    • Remember to take British Summer Time (BST) / Daylight Saving Time (DST) into your calculations.
  2. Create a "What time is it in…?" activity/game.
    • Make a deck of cards, writing on each the name of a country and its time difference from the UK.
    • Shuffle and draw the cards - one card at a time - and work out the current time in the location written on each.
    • You can check whether your answer is correct by searching online: "What time is it now in [location]?"
    • You could make this into a game to play with friends, with points for correct answers.

When you have practised numeracy skills from each of these areas, you can try taking the quiz in the Activity zone. This will help you find out if you’re ready to take on the challenge in the interactive story: The Timekeeper's Trail.

Last modified: Tuesday, 17 June 2025, 12:33 PM