Telling Time Intro

Year Level

Year 1

Duration

45 minutes

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Curriculum Links

Australian Curriculum: Languages (v9) – Year 1

• Communicating
  • AC9LY1C01: I can recognise and use formulaic expressions in the language to communicate, for example, greetings and numbers.
• Understanding
  • AC9LY1U01: I understand how language is used to communicate culturally significant meanings, including simple numbers and time.
• Language knowledge
  • AC9LY1L01: I explore the sounds and rhythm of the language. I identify familiar words and phrases, including numbers 1–12.

(Note: As the Australian Curriculum provides broad generic codes for Languages and specific language frameworks exist, this plan maps key learning outcomes aligned with general Year 1 Languages expectations for vocabulary acquisition and cultural understanding.)

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Lesson Title

Introduction to Time in Japanese

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Lesson Description

Students will be introduced to telling time vocabulary in Japanese, with a focus on understanding and pronouncing 'hour' (時, ji) and 'minute' (分, fun), and the numbers 1 to 12 in Japanese. Through engaging activities, students will begin to recognise these key words and practise pronunciation and recognition appropriate to their age and language experience.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Recognise and say the numbers 1 to 12 in Japanese.
2. Understand and say the Japanese words for 'hour' (時, ji) and 'minute' (分, fun).
3. Participate in simple oral activities involving telling time vocabulary using songs, chants and visual aids.
4. Appreciate Japanese language sounds and rhythm connected to time-telling.

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Resources

• Flashcards with numbers 1-12 in Japanese with Arabic numerals and Kana/Kanji
• Audio recordings of native Japanese pronunciation of numbers and time words
• Clock face posters showing numbers 1-12 with the corresponding Japanese words
• Whiteboard and marker
• Simple worksheet with matching numbers to Japanese characters (for follow-up)
• Interactive digital clock (optional)
• Song or chant for numbers 1-12 in Japanese with actions

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Lesson Plan Breakdown

Time	Activity	Description	Learning Focus
0-5m	Welcome and Introduction	Greet students, introduce the topic of time in Japanese.	Engage interest; cultural introduction
5-15m	Number Recognition and Pronunciation	Use flashcards and audio to introduce numbers 1–12 in Japanese. Model correct pronunciation and have students repeat chorally and individually. Include hand signals to associate numbers.	Vocabulary acquisition; pronunciation; oral repetition
15-25m	Introduce 'Hour' (時, ji) and 'Minute' (分, fun)	Show and say the two key time words. Use visuals and example phrases like "1時" (ichiji = 1 o'clock).	Vocabulary comprehension and speaking
25-35m	Interactive Song or Chant	Teach a simple Japanese numbers song or chant with actions to reinforce numbers 1-12 and time vocabulary. Encourage repeated group singing.	Oral language development; rhythm and intonation
35-40m	Guided Practice: Matching Game	Students match Japanese numbers on flashcards to analogue clock faces showing those times, practising saying phrases such as "3時" (sanji).	Reinforce vocabulary with visual aids; speaking practice
40-45m	Reflection and Recap	Recap key words, ask students to say their favourite number or time word in Japanese, and highlight progress. Preview next lesson about telling full time expressions.	Consolidate learning; student reflection

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Detailed Activity Descriptions

Welcome and Introduction (5 minutes)

• Start with greeting in Japanese "こんにちは (Konnichiwa)" and brief explanation of the lesson focus: learning how to talk about time.
• Show analog clock poster and introduce the importance of telling time in daily life.
• Connect to students’ experience by asking about when they wake up or eat lunch (in English).

Number Recognition and Pronunciation (10 minutes)

• Present numbers 1-12 flashcards with Japanese and English numerals.
• Play short audio clips of native pronunciation for each number.
• Teacher models, students repeat chorally and individually, encouraging correct pronunciation and rhythm.
• Use hand gestures or finger counting for kinaesthetic learning.

Introduce 'Hour' and 'Minute' Vocabulary (10 minutes)

• Introduce 時 (ji) for 'hour' and 分 (fun) for 'minute' using flashcards and real clock faces.
• Say simple examples for hours only (as full minutes are for later lessons). For example, show 3時 and say "sanji".
• Encourage students to repeat and associate symbols with sounds.

Interactive Song or Chant (10 minutes)

• Teach an engaging number song or chant with clear rhythms (for example, a Japanese counting rhyme).
• Incorporate simple actions - clapping or finger movements - to memorise the numbers rhythmically.
• Sing several times as a group, encouraging participation.

Guided Practice: Matching Game (5 minutes)

• Distribute number flashcards or point to flashcards.
• Show matching clock faces and ask "What time is this?" encouraging students to say "[number]時 (ji)".
• Support shy students by repeating or helping with hand signs.

Reflection and Recap (5 minutes)

• Ask students to share their favourite number or what word they remember most.
• Summarise the lesson’s main vocabulary.
• Explain the upcoming lessons will build on this foundation to tell full times with minutes.

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Assessment

• Informal Assessment through teacher observations during oral repetitions and matching game; assessing pronunciation and recognition of numbers and key vocabulary.
• Check understanding by students’ ability to respond vocally or through gestures when asked about numbers or the words ‘hour’ and ‘minute’.
• Ability to participate in the chant/song with correct pronunciation and timing.

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Differentiation Strategies

• Support: Use more visual cues and gestures; slower repetition for students needing additional scaffolding. Use one-on-one help for pronunciation if needed.
• Extension: For advanced students, introduce simple phrases combining number+時 (ji) such as "5時です" (It is 5 o’clock).
• Engagement: Incorporate movement and multisensory input (clapping, pointing) to cater to diverse learning styles.

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Cultural Relevance

• Briefly contextualise telling time in Japanese culture with images of traditional Japanese clocks or daily routines to spark curiosity.
• Encourage respect for learning a new language's sound system and vocabulary.

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This lesson plan sharpens Year 1 students’ early language acquisition skills aligned to the Australian Curriculum's emphasis on communication, cultural awareness, and phonological awareness, tailored for Japanese language learning focused on the topic of time. The use of songs, visual aids, gestures and interactive practice honours young learners’ needs for variety and repetition in engaging ways.

The progressive introduction of vocabulary with a cultural lens and playful activities makes learning meaningful and achievable within 45 minutes, setting a strong foundation for the unit on telling time in Japanese.

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If you would like, I can also provide the lesson plans for Lessons 2, 3, and 4 in this unit.