Learn Curve for Girls

Suhani Dewra

Taani had had a sleepless night. Her teacher at school was going to conduct a test to check how well the students read time from the clock. Taani didn’t know how to. She never understood what the teacher taught about reading time.

Little Taani worried and worried more.

“What should I do? I have the test tomorrow. If I fail, I may have to bear the consequences,” sighed Taani.

Like always Taani turned to her sister for help, “Teach me how to read time, will you?”

Taani’s sister got on the job and Taani found herself standing below a large clock on the wall of the living room.

“Look at the numbers and the two hands on the clock, Taani,” pointed out Dolly.

There was a 1 and 2 and 3 and so on…till 12.

“All the numbers are spaced by a difference of five,” added Dolly.

“The small hand there represents the hour. If it points at the number 4, then it means that the time is either 4’o clock or around 4’o clock.”

“The big hand represents minutes. If it is at 1, it means the minutes are 5. If it is at 2, it means the minutes are 10. Remember what I told you – they are all multiples of five. The big hand at 12, stands for a full hour.”

“So, let’s do some practical exercise. Tell me what time it is now, Taani,” asked Dolly. 

Taani looked closely at the clock. The small hand was at 2 and the big hand was at 12.

“It is 2’o clock, right Dolly?” asked Taani.

“Right Taani.”

The sisters broke away for lunch. Soon after, Dolly called Taani back to the clock.

“Look at the clock now, and tell me what time it is,” said Dolly to Taani.

“Ummm…the small hand is at 3 and the big hand is at the number 5. Five times 5 is 25. Is it 3:25?”

“You got that right, little sister. You are ready for the test tomorrow,” said Dolly patting on Taani’s back.