Elapsed Time Word Problems on an Open Number Line
A 3rd-grade practice worksheet of elapsed time word problems about recess, breakfast, workouts, and lessons, where students solve for start time, end time, or elapsed time using an open number line. It includes a "Time Facts to Remember" reference box and a worked example with step-by-step jumps, making it well suited to a 20-30 minute independent or partner practice block.
“I want to create a student worksheet of practice problems about using an open number line to solve questions involving elapsed time. Here are some examples: Jenny loves recess time. She sees that it is 10:01 a.m. She knows that recess is at 10:15 a.m. How much time does Jenny have to wait until recess? Dante gets out of bed at 7:05 a.m. He gets ready, then leaves for school at 7:45 a.m. How much time does it take Dante to get ready? Melissa’s mom begins her workout at the gym at 5:15. She ends her workout at 5:57. How much time elapses during her workout? Leslie finished making dinner at 6:42 P.M. If she started at 6:05 P.M., how long did it take her to make dinner? Mr. Rogers starts his math lesson at 9:15 A.M. He ends the lesson at 9:53. How long was his math lesson? The problems should be at a third grade reading level and be a variety of solving for the start time, end time, or elapsed time.”
Teacher Guide & Tips
- Introduce the open number line with a whole-class demonstration on a clock or the worked example before students work independently, and remind them that the minute hand moves 5 minutes per number.
- Discussion question: Why is it helpful to jump to a "friendly" time like 10:05 or 10:30 instead of counting every minute one at a time?
- Scaffold for struggling readers: Read each word problem aloud together, underline the start and end times, and provide a pre-drawn number line with the start and end times marked so students focus on the jumps.
- Extension for advanced students: Ask them to write their own elapsed time problem that crosses the hour (such as 2:48 p.m. to 3:17 p.m.) and solve it with an open number line, or to find a missing start time when given an end time and duration.
- Estimated time: About 20-30 minutes for the full set, depending on how many problems you assign and how much modeling you provide.
What is Diffit?
Teachers use Diffit to get quality materials for their unique classrooms. Adjust difficulty, add scaffolds, or change the topic to get started.
Try Diffit for free“I want to create a student worksheet of practice problems about using an open number line to solve questions involving elapsed time. Here are some examples: Jenny loves recess time. She sees that it is 10:01 a.m. She knows that recess is at 10:15 a.m. How much time does Jenny have to wait until recess? Dante gets out of bed at 7:05 a.m. He gets ready, then leaves for school at 7:45 a.m. How much time does it take Dante to get ready? Melissa’s mom begins her workout at the gym at 5:15. She ends her workout at 5:57. How much time elapses during her workout? Leslie finished making dinner at 6:42 P.M. If she started at 6:05 P.M., how long did it take her to make dinner? Mr. Rogers starts his math lesson at 9:15 A.M. He ends the lesson at 9:53. How long was his math lesson? The problems should be at a third grade reading level and be a variety of solving for the start time, end time, or elapsed time.”
Teacher Guide & Tips
- Introduce the open number line with a whole-class demonstration on a clock or the worked example before students work independently, and remind them that the minute hand moves 5 minutes per number.
- Discussion question: Why is it helpful to jump to a "friendly" time like 10:05 or 10:30 instead of counting every minute one at a time?
- Scaffold for struggling readers: Read each word problem aloud together, underline the start and end times, and provide a pre-drawn number line with the start and end times marked so students focus on the jumps.
- Extension for advanced students: Ask them to write their own elapsed time problem that crosses the hour (such as 2:48 p.m. to 3:17 p.m.) and solve it with an open number line, or to find a missing start time when given an end time and duration.
- Estimated time: About 20-30 minutes for the full set, depending on how many problems you assign and how much modeling you provide.
Elapsed Time Word Problems on an Open Number Line
A 3rd-grade practice worksheet of elapsed time word problems about recess, breakfast, workouts, and lessons, where students solve for start time, end time, or elapsed time using an open number line. It includes a "Time Facts to Remember" reference box and a worked example with step-by-step jumps, making it well suited to a 20-30 minute independent or partner practice block.
What is Diffit?
Teachers use Diffit to get quality materials for their unique classrooms. Adjust difficulty, add scaffolds, or change the topic to get started.
Try Diffit for free