How many seconds in a minute
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can say how many seconds there are in a minute.
Key learning points
- There are 60 seconds in a minute.
- Seconds are a short measure of time.
- Seconds can be used to time short activities and durations.
Keywords
Estimate - To estimate is to find a value that is close enough to the right answer, usually with some thought or calculation involved.
Seconds - There are 60 seconds in one minute.
Common misconception
When first learning about seconds, pupils come to realise they are very quick. They count seconds at the same speed in which they count other numbers - usually too quickly.
The classic way to slow down counting speed so that it more closely matches the pace of seconds is to use 'one Mississippi, two Mississippi' etc. For most pupils that is an obscure reference point - counting elephants is suggested as an alternative.
Teacher tip
The lesson shows the position of the second hand on a clock but not the actual movement of a second hand. If you have a classroom clock with seconds on, use that as a teaching tool. If not, use a search engine to find an example of an online clock with a second hand.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which is the minute hand?
Q2.How many minutes are there in one hour? There are minutes in one hour.
Q3.Continue the sequence: 5, 10, 15, 20,
Q4.The clock shows hours and minutes. What is the missing number?
Q5.How many minutes have gone past the hour?
Q6.What time is being shown here?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which is the second hand?
Q2.Which of these is the most sensible estimate for how long it would take to put on your shoes?
Q3.One minute = seconds
Q4.The second hand is pointing to the number 3 so seconds have passed after the new minute.
Q5.How many seconds have passed after the new minute?
Q6.How many seconds have passed after the new minute?
To help you plan your 3 maths lesson on: How many seconds in a minute, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 maths lesson on: How many seconds in a minute, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 maths lessons from the Tell the time to the nearest minute and compare units of time unit, dive into the full primary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.