Telling Time

What is Telling Time?

• Telling time means reading a clock to know what part of the day it is.
• We use clocks to know when to wake up, go to school, or eat dinner.
• There are two main types of clocks: Digital and Analog.

1. The Digital Clock

• The digital clock is the easiest to read because it just shows the numbers.
• The first number tells us the Hour.
• The two numbers after the colon (:) tell us the Minutes.
• Example: 3:00 means it is exactly 3 o'clock.

2. The Analog Clock

• This clock is a circle with numbers 1 through 12.
• It has two "hands" that spin around.

The Hour Hand (The Short One)

• This is the short, thick hand.
• Whichever number it is pointing to is the Hour.
• If it is between two numbers, it is still the hour of the smaller number.

The Minute Hand (The Long One)

• This is the long, thin hand.
• When it points to the 12, we say "o'clock."
• When it points to the 6, we say "half past."

How to Read "O'Clock"

• When the long minute hand is pointing straight up at the 12:
  1. Look at the shorthand.
  2. Say that number and add "o'clock."
• Example: Short hand on 5, long hand on 12 = 5 o'clock (5:00).

How to Read "Half Past"

• When the long minute hand is pointing straight down at the 6:
  1. Look at the short hand. It will be halfway between two numbers.
  2. Say "half past" and the number the hand just passed.
• Example: Short hand between 1 and 2, long hand on 6 = Half past 1 (1:30).

AM and PM

• There are 24 hours in a day, but only 12 numbers on a clock, so the hands go around twice!
• AM: Morning time (from breakfast until lunch).
• PM: Afternoon and night time (from lunch until bedtime).

Why Do We Learn This?

• Schedules: So you know when your favorite show starts or when it’s time for recess.
• Waiting: Helps you understand how long "5 minutes" or "1 hour" actually feels.
• Independence: You can tell time without asking a grown-up all the time.

Lesson Summary

• Short Hand = Hour
• Long Hand = Minutes
• Long hand on 12 = :00 (o'clock)
• Long hand on 6 = :30 (half past)