NCGA GeoMath Lesson Plan
Name of Lesson
Calculating Time Travel
Time for Instruction
10-15 minutes
Essential Question(s)
What equation models time zone change? (Write equations based on GMT)
Higher Order Thinking Question(s)
Explain how the time zones correlate to base 12 math
Common Core Standard(s)
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSF.BF.A.1
Write a function that describes a relationship between two quantities.*
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSF.BF.A.1.A
Determine an explicit expression, a recursive process, or steps for calculation from a
context.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSF.BF.A.1.B
Common
Core
Mathematics
Combine standard function types using arithmetic operations. For example, build a
function that models the temperature of a cooling body by adding a constant function
to a decaying exponential, and relate these functions to the model.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSF.BF.A.1.C
(+) Compose functions. For example, if T(y) is the temperature in the atmosphere as
a function of height, and h(t) is the height of a weather balloon as a function of time,
then T(h(t)) is the temperature at the location of the weather balloon as a function of
time.
National Geography Objective(s)
4. The use of geographic representations to ask and answer geographic questions
8th Grade
Standard 1
Therefore, the student is able to:
A. Analyze geographic representations to ask and answer questions about spatial
distributions and patterns, as exemplified by being able to
 Analyze printed and digital maps to observe spatial distributions and patterns to
generate and answer geographic questions (e.g., use digital census data to determine
demographic patterns in a state, or analyze census data and transportation routes to
identify and locate services, such as a day-care center or stores needed in a region).
Prerequisite skills/knowledge
Time zones
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
Anticipatory Activity/Bellringer/Warmup
Use the “Calculating Time Travel” PowerPoint to familiarize students with time zones and to illustrate the
international date line.
Vocabulary
Mathematical Terms
Geography Terms
Modeling equation
Function
Data
GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)
Gaining Days
Losing Days
International Date Line
Instructional Strategies/Sequence
Using the “Calculating Time Travel” Powerpoint, students will determine the correct time based on the location of
the city.
Independent Practice
Develop a formula based on the GMT time zone.
Additional Instructional Resources
Use the interactive website to calculate times between locations.
http://www.zeitverschiebung.net/en/
Formative Assessment
The teacher may assess student understanding by using an electronic voting system (clickers). Students will submit
numeric answers for the number of hours gained or lost. Based on the class data, students should explain their
mathematical calculations words.
Differentiation
Students will view options for modeling equations and then choose the best one for the hours between cities.
Enrichment
Place a copy of the world map on a sheet of cork board for each student. Students will place thumbtacks on two
locations and then use a string to show the most direct route. Multiple thumbtacks may be needed if most direct
route is not across the Atlantic Ocean. On the string, place markers to aid students to count the hours and/or the
days lost or gained between the cities.