Mai Lesson
Where's My Hour?
Math · 30 min · Any age · You and your child together
Explore the mystery of the 'missing' or 'extra' hour that appears and disappears from our clocks twice a year. This Spark helps families understand how Daylight Saving Time works and why we agree to change our clocks.
What your child gets out of it
- Explain how clocks change for Daylight Saving Time in spring and fall.
- Understand that the total length of a day remains 24 hours despite clock changes.
- Recognize that time is a human agreement, not a physical substance that can be lost or gained.
What you need
- Clock — An analog clock with movable hands is ideal for visualization, but any clock will work. (or Digital watch, Smartphone/tablet clock)
- Paper (or Notebook, Whiteboard)
- Pen or pencil (or Crayon, Marker)
How it runs
- What Time Is It? · 5 min
- Changing the Clocks · 8 min
- The Missing Hour Mystery · 6 min
- Timeline of a Day · 9 min
- Our Time Agreement · 2 min
Why it matters
Airline schedules, international business meetings, and global communication all depend on understanding time zones and how they adjust for Daylight Saving Time.
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