Rodeo Time

Katie and Cameron are all excited to help their uncle, Cactus Joe, with chores at the rodeo. Their first chore is watering the horses before the Bareback Bronc Riding event. "It starts at 3:00, so be there at 2:00 sharp," Joe tells them. "You'll need an hour to get the job done." Katie makes a schedule. The next day, the rodeo starts with a Parade and Grand Entry at 10:00 a.m., followed by lunch at noon, and then it's time to water the horses at 2:00 p.m. By lunchtime, Katie and Cameron are running late.  Will the kids make it? 

Reading a schedule involves time-telling skills, developing a sense of elapsed time, and an ability to anticipate and plan. 

Activities!

• At school, have your students draw up schedules of after-school activities, Monday through Friday. How long does it take to get home? Do they have sports or band practice on certain days? Which days and for how long? When is dinner time? Any TV-watching, computer games or reading before bed? When is bedtime, and what time will the alarm clock ring in the morning?
•  At home, create Family Schedules. Focus on a particular activity such as “Getting Ready for School and Work in the Morning” or a special event such as a vacation (“What We Plan To Do Each Day”). 
•  Working together with your child (or individual students) write up a list of things that need to be done such as homework, guitar practice, preparing dinner, baking brownies, folding laundry, watching a favorite television show, playing with friends or reading a book. Then draw up a schedule showing when those things will be done. Record how long each activity actually takes and see how it matches up.