Example 1
The long hand is on 12 and the short hand is on 3. What time is it?
- The long hand on 12 means o'clock.
- The short hand on 3: 3 o'clock.
Answer: 3 o'clock (3:00)
🧸 British maths, age 5 · session 8 of 26 · 45 minutes · ⭐ Plus
Time: o'clock and half past
When the long hand points to 12 it is o'clock. When it points to 6 it is half past. Set the clock yourself and learn the days of the week.
A complete lesson · 45 minutes
Teach it, see it, practise it, all on this page.
Open this page with your learner and work down it, or press Teach this lesson to go through it one step at a time on a big screen. Every section has something to do.
- Warm-up4 min
- O'clock8 min
- Half past8 min
- Days of the week7 min
- Activity 15 min
- Activity 25 min
- Activity 34 min
- Picture quiz3 min
- Home activity1 min
By the end you can
- Read and show o'clock times
- Read and show half past times
- Say the days of the week in order
Before you start
- Counting to 12
Have ready
- A toy clock or a paper plate clock
Age 5 · Reception and Year 1 (UKG)
Warm-up · think first
What time do you wake up in the morning?
Show the answer
Many children wake up at about 7 o'clock. Let's learn how to show it on a clock.
Teacher tip: Talk about times in the child's day: breakfast, school, bedtime.
Part 1 of 3 · learn, see, practise
O'clock
The short hand shows the hour. The long hand shows the minutes.
When the long hand points straight up to 12, it is o'clock: the short hand tells you which hour.
Example 2
What time does this clock show?
- Long hand on 12: o'clock.
- Short hand on 9.
Answer: 9 o'clock (9:00)
Set the clock
Use the buttons to move the hands.
- Show 3 o'clock.
- Show 7 o'clock.
- Show half past 1.
Practise it
Start with the warm-up and go as far as you can. The stretch questions are meant to be hard.
Warm-up
Warm-up
Core
Core
Stretch 🔥
Answers (for the teacher)
- 5:00
- 8:00
- 5:00
- 9:00
- 1:00
⭐ Part of Pure Faith Plus
The rest of this lesson is in Plus
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You have seen the plan, the warm-up and part 1. With Plus you also get:
- Part 2: Half past, with practice at three levels
- Part 3: Days of the week, with practice at three levels
- Class activity 1: My day clock
- Class activity 2: Week train
- Class activity 3: Clock match
- A 8-question quiz
- After-class project: Paper plate clock
- Homework and a printable practice sheet with answers
- Teach mode and the minute-by-minute teacher's plan
The first 2 lessons of every course, every game and all maths practice stay free.
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FAQ
Time: o'clock and half past: questions
When do children learn to tell the time?
In England, Year 1 children learn o'clock and half past and the days of the week; quarter past and quarter to come in Year 2.
How do I teach o'clock?
Start with the long hand on 12 and only move the short hand. Talk about times in the child's own day.
Is there a clock worksheet?
Yes, the practice sheet for this lesson has clock questions with an answer key.
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