The Watch Glyph
📝 This post, Watch Glyph, was originally published in 2015 and has been updated with new information and resources.
Glyphs are such a fun way for students to share information about themselves, and this Watch Glyph adds a little math practice, too! Students create their own watch glyph by following a set of directions, with each part of the finished watch representing something about them.
Once the watches are complete, they can be used to learn more about classmates, compare responses, and interpret class data.
How the Watch Glyph Works
Students begin by creating the clock face on their watch. Then, they follow the glyph directions one at a time, adding different pieces to their watch based on their answers.
For example, the minute hand represents the month of the student’s birthday. In the example below, the minute hand points to 10 for an October birthday.
Each choice adds another piece of information until students have created a watch glyph that represents them.
Interpreting the Data
After all the glyphs are complete, lay them out in front of the group and use them to interpret the data. Ask questions such as:
- How many students have birthdays in _________? (name a month)
- How many students are ____ years old?
- How many students are ____ years old and have birthdays in _________? (name a month)
- How many students like summer best? Winter? Fall? Spring?
- How many students are morning people? Night people?
- How many students who like summer are also night people?
Want to take the discussion a little further? The Watch Glyph also includes question cards that can be used with the completed glyphs. Choose a card, read the question aloud, and use the glyphs to find the answer. The cards make it easy to continue comparing information, interpreting data, and learning more about classmates along the way.
Grab the Watch Glyph
Ready to try it with your students? The UPDATED Watch Glyph includes everything you need to create the glyphs with your class, along with question cards to help students interpret the finished glyphs, compare information, and learn more about one another
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