The Story of Clocks and Calendars

The Story of Clocks and Calendars

Travel through time with the maestros as they explore the amazing history of timekeeping!

Did you know that there is more than one calendar? While the most commonly used calendar was on the year 2000, the Jewish calendar said it was the year 5760, while the Muslim calendar said 1420 and the Chinese calendar said 4698. Why do these differences exist? How did ancient civilizations keep track of time? When and how were clocks first invented?

Find answers to all these questions and more in this incredible trip through history.

January 1, 2001, will mark the beginning of a new thousand-year period on earth.But our earth is more than four billion years old, and humans have lived on our planet for perhaps two hundred thousand years. So how can it be the year 2000? The answer is that it is the year 2000 only on the Gregorian calendar. On the Hebrew calendar, the year will be 5760. On the Muslim calendar, the year will be 1420. And on the Chinese calendar, it will be 4698. So what year is it really? It all depends on what calendar you use and when you started counting the years. Here is the fascinating story of how, over thousands of years, calendars and clocks came to be. 00-01 Young Reader's Choice Award Program Masterlist Notable Children's Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies 2000, National Council for SS & Child. Book Council

Author: Betsy and Giulio Maestro

Betsy Maestro is the author of the "American Story" series, illustrated by her husband, Giulio. She has also written several other non-fiction picture books, including the Let's-Read-And-Find-Out science books How Do Apples Grow? and Why Do Leaves Change Color?

Book Details:

  • Publisher: William Morrow
  • Format: Paperback
  • Print length: 48 pages
  • Dimensions: 23.5 x 0.64 x 27.94 cm
  • Reading age: 6 - 10 years old
  • Publication date: 1 April 1999
  • ISBN: 978-0688145484

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How "The Story of Clocks and Calendars" Can Help Teach Year 4 Science "Measuring Time"

Author: Betsy and Giulio Maestro

"The Story of Clocks and Calendars" by Betsy Maestro is an excellent resource for teaching the Year 4 Science topic of "Measuring Time". The book explores the fascinating history of timekeeping, from ancient lunar calendars to modern atomic clocks, providing a comprehensive overview of how humans have measured and recorded time throughout history.

  1. Engage Students with a Compelling Story: The book presents the history of clocks and calendars in a narrative format, making it engaging and easy for students to follow. This storytelling approach can help capture students' attention and make the topic more memorable.
  2. Provide Historical Context: "The Story of Clocks and Calendars" covers the development of timekeeping tools and concepts over time, from sundials and water clocks to pendulum clocks and quartz watches. By understanding the historical context, students can appreciate the progress and challenges involved in measuring time accurately.
  3. Introduce Key Concepts and Vocabulary: The book introduces important concepts and vocabulary related to time measurement, such as seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years. By familiarizing students with these terms, you can help them develop a solid foundation for understanding the topic.
  4. Encourage Hands-On Learning: Supplementary resources like "Anno's Sundial" by Mitsumasa Anno can be used alongside "The Story of Clocks and Calendars" to engage students in hands-on activities related to timekeeping. These activities can help reinforce the concepts learned from the book and make the learning experience more interactive and memorable.

By reading this book with your students, you can:In conclusion, "The Story of Clocks and Calendars" is an excellent resource for teaching the Year 4 Science topic of "Measuring Time". Its engaging narrative, historical context, and introduction to key concepts and vocabulary make it a valuable tool for helping students understand the fascinating history and importance of timekeeping.

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