Time Detective Worksheet
Flexible Thinking Investigation
Name: Date:
Time Detective: 15 Case Files
Examine the clock and facts: You do NOT have to be first to be on time!
Investigation Cases 1 – 5
The Time Law
School Arrival: 7:35 AM – 7:50 AM Late Bell. Students are NOT marked late until after 7:50 AM!
Arrival \(\le\) Start Time \(\rightarrow\) ON TIME!
CASE 1 The Morning Lockers
Late Bell: 7:50 AM Arrived: 7:44 AM
School doors open at 7:35 AM and late bell rings at 7:50 AM. Maya walks inside at 7:44 AM. Eight students are already putting coats in lockers.
Was Maya first?
Yes No
Maya's Verdict:
On Time Late
Detective Reason / Evidence:
CASE 2 The Art Studio
Start Time: 10:30 AM Arrived: 10:25 AM
Art class begins at 10:30 AM. Leo walks through the door at 10:25 AM. Maya and David are already sitting at the table mixing colors.
Was Leo first?
Yes No
Leo's Verdict:
On Time Late
Detective Reason / Evidence:
CASE 3 Soccer Warm-Up
Start Time: 4:00 PM Arrived: 4:03 PM
Soccer practice begins at 4:00 PM. Liam's car got stopped by road construction, and Liam steps onto the field at 4:03 PM.
Was Liam first?
Yes No
Liam's Verdict:
On Time Late
Detective Reason / Evidence:
CASE 4 Science Lab Door
Start Time: 1:15 PM Arrived: 1:15 PM
Science class begins at 1:15 PM. Chloe walks in right as the wall clock turns to 1:15 PM on the dot. All other classmates are already seated.
Was Chloe first?
Yes No
Chloe's Verdict:
On Time Late
Detective Reason / Evidence:
CASE 5 First Bus Drop-Off
Late Bell: 7:50 AM Arrived: 7:36 AM
School arrival starts at 7:35 AM and late bell rings at 7:50 AM. Jayden steps off the very first bus at 7:36 AM. He is the first student inside the building.
Was Jayden first?
Yes No
Jayden's Verdict:
On Time Late
Detective Reason / Evidence:
Detective Clue: "First" is just an order. "On time" is about the clock. Turn over for Cases 6 – 10! Page 1 of 3
Case Files: Real-World Timing
Name: Cases 6 – 10
Testing Tricky Situations
Check the scheduled start time against arrival time. Does the clock say on time?
Tip: Being last in line before start time is STILL on time!
CASE 6 The Movie Theater
Showtime: 2:15 PM Arrived: 2:08 PM
The movie showtime is 2:15 PM. Ben and his sister walk into the auditorium at 2:08 PM. Most seats in the room are already taken.
Was Ben first?
Yes No
Ben's Verdict:
On Time Late
Detective Reason / Evidence:
CASE 7 Library Storytime
Start Time: 11:30 AM Arrived: 11:29 AM
Story hour begins at 11:30 AM. Sofia sits down on a carpet square at 11:29 AM. Twelve other children are already sitting down waiting for the book.
Was Sofia first?
Yes No
Sofia's Verdict:
On Time Late
Detective Reason / Evidence:
CASE 8 Traffic Delay Drop-Off
Late Bell: 7:50 AM Arrived: 7:54 AM
School arrival ends and late bell rings at 7:50 AM. Aiden’s car gets delayed behind a garbage truck and drops him off at 7:54 AM.
Was Aiden first?
Yes No
Aiden's Verdict:
On Time Late
Detective Reason / Evidence:
CASE 9 Cafeteria Lunch Line
Lunch Bell: 12:15 PM Arrived: 12:13 PM
Lunch period starts at 12:15 PM. Emma gets into the cafeteria line at 12:13 PM. She is the 22nd student standing in line.
Was Emma first?
Yes No
Emma's Verdict:
On Time Late
Detective Reason / Evidence:
CASE 10 Swim Practice Deck
Practice: 5:30 PM Arrived: 5:18 PM
Swim team practice starts at 5:30 PM. Carlos walks onto the pool deck with his goggles at 5:18 PM. Only the coach is setting lane markers.
Was Carlos first?
Yes No
Carlos's Verdict:
On Time Late
Detective Reason / Evidence:
Detective Clue: Arriving early or on the dot is 100% on time. Turn over for the final 5 cases & summary! Page 2 of 3
Final Investigations
Name: Cases 11 – 15
The Master Detective Cases
Solve the final 5 cases and write your flexible thinking anchor thought!
Compare the exact arrival minute to the target minute.
CASE 11 Piano Lesson Studio
Lesson Time: 3:45 PM Arrived: 3:49 PM
Harper’s piano lesson starts at 3:45 PM. Harper's parent had to search for street parking, and Harper walks into the studio at 3:49 PM.
Was Harper first?
Yes No
Harper's Verdict:
On Time Late
Detective Reason / Evidence:
CASE 12 The 1-Minute Warning
Late Bell: 7:50 AM Arrived: 7:49 AM
School arrival doors open at 7:35 AM and late marks start at 7:50 AM. Marcus walks in at 7:49 AM. He is the last student in the hall.
Was Marcus first?
Yes No
Marcus's Verdict:
On Time Late
Detective Reason / Evidence:
CASE 13 Birthday Party Invitation
Invitation: 2:00 PM Arrived: 2:06 PM
The party invitation says "Starts at 2:00 PM." Zoe rings the doorbell at 2:06 PM. Four friends are already playing board games in the living room.
Was Zoe first?
Yes No
Zoe's Verdict:
On Time Late
Detective Reason / Evidence:
CASE 14 Doctor's Office Check-In
Appointment: 9:15 AM Arrived: 9:11 AM
Ethan’s doctor appointment is scheduled for 9:15 AM. Ethan checks in at the reception desk at 9:11 AM. Four families are in the waiting room.
Was Ethan first?
Yes No
Ethan's Verdict:
On Time Late
Detective Reason / Evidence:
CASE 15 Recess Whistle Line-Up
Whistle Bell: 1:45 PM Arrived: 1:45 PM
The whistle to line up blows at 1:45 PM. Mia steps onto the painted line at 1:45 PM on the dot. Ten classmates are already standing in line.
Was Mia first?
Yes No
Mia's Verdict:
On Time Late
Detective Reason / Evidence:
Detective Debrief My Flexible Thinking Truth
Score: / 15 Cases Solved
Write one calm sentence you will say to your brain when other people arrive before you:
"I can remind myself:
Example: "The clock decides if I'm on time. Being 2nd, 5th, or last before the bell is still 100% on time!" "
Certified Master Time Detective Remember: The clock decides on time. Order does not matter! Page 3 of 3
