Disney World timelines

The students have won a trip to Disney World but there are several things they have to do before they get to Orlando. The students will make a timeline to display these events and answer questions about them.

A lesson plan for grade 3 Mathematics

By Jennifer Williams

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Related topics

• Learn more about elapsed time, mathematics, measurement, time, and timelines.

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Learning outcomes

The students will use a computer and the Internet to construct a timeline. The students will find the start time and elapsed time of events on the timeline.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

1.5 hours

Materials/resources

• example of a timeline
• whiteboard and marker
• Disney World Timeline worksheet: doc | rtf
• pencils
• small Judy clocks

Technology resources

• computer lab with internet access
• printer

Pre-activities

The students will need prior knowledge of elapsed time.

Activities

1. Discuss timelines (i.e. what they look like, what they are used for, when and where students have seen them before…).
2. Show the students a timeline. Point out that all the events are listed on one line. The events are in chronological order across or down the timeline.
3. As a class, draw a timeline showing the class’ schedule for the day. Draw a line across the whiteboard. Ask the students to tell you the schedule for the day in chronological order. Fill in the events and the time the class has/will do these events. When the timeline is completed, ask the students questions about the timeline such as when should we start reading, how long is our lunch, etc.
4. Tell the students that they won a trip to Disney World in Orlando, Florida. There are several things they have to do before they get to Orlando. They will be making a timeline to show these events.
5. Distribute the Disney World Timeline worksheet. Explain to the students that they will be making their timeline using this website. They will need to use their timeline and a clock if necessary to answer the questions under number two on the worksheet.
6. Students complete their timeline and print a copy.
7. Students use their timeline to answer the questions.

Assessment

The students will be assessed on their ability to follow the directions to make the timeline and on if they correctly answer to questions about their timeline.