Telling Time
In this section, I will learn how to tell time:
- Using a 12 hour analog clock
- Using a 24 hour analog clock
- Using a 12 hour digital clock
- Using words like "minutes to" and "minutes after" an hour
What are some ways I can tell time?
Using a digital clock
Reading a digital clock is like reading letters in a word. We start on the left side and make our way to the right. When we see the ":", we say "o'clock". Here is an example to help:
8:00 --- we say eight o'clock.
If there are numbers that are NOT 0 after the ":", we say that number as a whole. Here is an example:
8:30 --- we say eight thirty.
Reading a digital clock is like reading letters in a word. We start on the left side and make our way to the right. When we see the ":", we say "o'clock". Here is an example to help:
8:00 --- we say eight o'clock.
If there are numbers that are NOT 0 after the ":", we say that number as a whole. Here is an example:
8:30 --- we say eight thirty.
Using a 12 hour analog clock
On an analog clock:
It looks like the SMALL hand (hour hand) is not pointing directly to a number. It looks like it is between the 8 and the 9. Always go with the lower number as the hour hand. In this case, it is in the "8 o'clock" hour. The LONG hand is a little more difficult to read. To find out how many minutes have gone by in the hour, we have to know how to count by 5s. Take a look at the example below to see: Try telling the time displayed on the right: Here are a few helpful hints: 1) Start by looking at the short hand, this is the hour hand. If it is between to numbers, take the lower number. Record this number. 2) Next, look at the long hand, this is the minute hand. Remember to count by 5s. Record the minutes. 3) Now write the hour and the minute together, but separate the two numbers using a ":". |
As we can see here, the LONG hand or the minute hand is pointing towards the 6. However, 6 is actually worth 30 when we are looking at the minute hand. Remember what the hour was? 8 Remember what the minute was? 30 To separate the hour and minute when we write the time, we use a colon ":". So, we write the time displayed on the clock like this: 8:30 |
Telling Time in Different Ways
Sometimes, we can say the time in a different way to show how close we are to an hour. Here are a few quick tips before we look at some examples:
Quarter after --- means 15 minutes have passed since the hour started.
Half past --- means 30 minutes have passed since the hour started.
Quarter to ---means 45 minutes have passed since the hour started AND there are 15 minutes until the next hour.
Try the example seen on the right hand side. 1) First, determine where the hour hand is. What number is it pointing closer to? 2) Next, figure out where the minute hand is pointing. Remember to count by 5s. 3) If your minute hand is pointing at a number like 3, 6 or 9 use the guide above to say it a different way. |
Telling Time using the 24 Hour Analog Clock
In a lot of places around the world, we often tell time using what is called the 24 hour clock. This applies to any time that is after 12:00 at noon time, when we eat lunch usually! Here is a quick tip about telling time: a.m. - we write this after any time that is between 12:00 midnight and 12:00 noon. p.m - we write this after any time that is between 12:00 noon and 12:00 midnight. For example, at 1:30 in the afternoon this would be 1:30 p.m. The hours after 12:00 noon are written around the clock below. This means, for example, we were talking about 2:00 in the afternoon, it would actually be 14:00. We read this as "14 hundred hours" or "14 o'clock". If the time was 2:35, it would actually be 14:35. We read this as "fourteen thirty five". |
How can I figure out 24 hour time easily?
Let's say that I wanted to know the 24 hour time for 5:00pm (this is in the evening). To find this out, take 12 + 5 = 17. In 24 hour time, 5:00pm would be 17:00. Here's another example: 8:30pm (evening). To find this out, take 12 + 8 = 20. In 24 hour time, 8:30pm would be 20:30. |
Now, let's say I wanted to know the 12 hour time for 23:00. This is in the evening. To find this out, take 23 - 12 = 11. In 12 hour time, 23:00 would be 11:00. Here's another example: 14:45 To find this out, take 14 - 12 = 2. In 12 hour time, 14:45 would be 2:45pm. |
Learn about telling time using a digital clock
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Learn about telling time using an analog clock
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Learn about telling time using terms like "quarter after", "half past" and "quarter to"
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Learn how to tell time using the 24 hour clock
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Practice Questions
Choose one of the following questions to complete:
1) Explain how you know how many hours are in one and half days.
2) Name 3 activities you would do in the a.m and 3 activities you would do in the p.m.
3) Choose a time of day and write/draw 3 ways to represent it.
Choose one of the following questions to complete:
1) Explain how you know how many hours are in one and half days.
2) Name 3 activities you would do in the a.m and 3 activities you would do in the p.m.
3) Choose a time of day and write/draw 3 ways to represent it.