K-5 friendly lesson
One small step at a time.Read the idea, try the activity, and celebrate each win as you go.

A.M. or P.M.?

☀️ Moon and Sun! A normal clock only has 12 numbers. But there are 24 hours in a day! Does "8 o'clock" mean breakfast, or bedtime?

Do this: Read the concept below, then try the quiz or activity.

Lesson 163 of 186

Concept

Because the clock resets twice a day, every single time (like 8:00) happens TWO TIMES every day. We use AM and PM to know if we are asleep or eating lunch.

🎯 The AM / PM Rules:

* A.M. (Anti Meridiem / Morning): This starts the absolute second the clock strikes 12:00 Midnight while you are sleeping. It includes the dark hours (1am, 2am), eating breakfast (7am, 8am), and going to school!

* P.M. (Post Meridiem / Evening): This starts the absolute second the clock strikes 12:00 in the middle of the day! (Lunchtime!). It includes recess (1pm, 2pm), eating dinner (6pm), and going to sleep (9pm)!

Try it

Morning or night?

Instructions: Read the real-world story. Figure out if it happens during the A.M. half of the day, or the P.M.

Problem 1: You wake up, brush your teeth, and eat a giant bowl of cereal at 7:00 ____. (AM or PM?)

Problem 2: You are sitting in the cafeteria at school eating a hamburger for lunch at 12:15 ____. (Wait! It passed 12:00 lunch! The clock switched!) (AM or PM?)

Problem 3: You stare at the dark sky and watch fireworks explode on the 4th of July at 9:30 ____. (AM or PM?)

Problem 4: You are locked in a deep, snoring sleep in the middle of the pitch-black night at 3:00 ____. (Wait! Midnight passed! A new day started while you slept!) (AM or PM?)