Time: read the clock
Read an analogue clock, write 24-hour time and work out how long something takes. Read one step, play with it, then tap “I understand this”.
The clock’s two hands
The short hand shows the hour. The long hand shows the minutes. Every number on the clock is 5 minutes for the long hand.
Set the clock
Use the buttons. Watch the short hand move slowly along too.
The short hand moves too: at 3:30 it is halfway between the 3 and the 4. Look at the number it has passed.
Time in words
After 30 minutes we count down to the next hour: 3:50 is ten to four, not ten to three.
Up to 30 minutes we say past the hour. After 30 minutes we say to the next hour.
The minute hand goes once around the whole clock in an hour. 15 minutes is a quarter of the circle, and 30 minutes is half of it.
Digital and 24-hour time
A day has 24 hours. Before noon it is a.m. and after noon p.m. In 24-hour time you add 12 to the hour after noon: 3:30 p.m. = 15:30.
From 12 to 24 hours
Set the time and look at the 24-hour time.
Midnight is 00:00 and 12 noon is 12:00. 24-hour time never needs a.m. or p.m.
How long does it take?
To work out how long something takes, first jump to the next full hour, then whole hours, then the minutes left over.
The timeline
Choose the start time and how long it takes. The jumps show how to work it out.
Units of time
| 60 seconds | = 1 minute |
| 60 minutes | = 1 hour |
| 24 hours | = 1 day |
| 7 days | = 1 week |
| 12 months | = 1 year (365 days) |
Months on your knuckles: a knuckle has 31 days, a dip has 30 (February 28 or 29).
Read the clock
What time is it? Choose the right time.
Correct: 0Our time comes from the ancient Babylonians, who counted in sixties. 60 is handy: it divides neatly into halves, thirds, quarters, fifths and sixths. That is why you can’t subtract times like ordinary numbers.
Check yourself
- Short hand: hours. Long hand: minutes (every number is 5 minutes).
- Up to 30 minutes we say “past”, after that “to” the next hour.
- After noon: add 12 for 24-hour time. 3:30 p.m. = 15:30.
- 60 s = 1 min, 60 min = 1 h, 24 h = 1 day.
Write these points in your maths book. Read them again the night before the test.
Quick questions
Tap an answer. If you get one wrong, read why and go back to that step. You get new questions every time.
You ticked all 5 steps! Now you are ready for the quiz.- Practice sheet for this classQuestions + memo · 2 A4 pagesPractice sheet
- Measurement8 pages · PDFPaperMemo
Ready for more? The Grade 4 time quiz gives you new questions every time.
- One step a day is enough. Ten calm minutes work better than an hour the night before the test.
- Hang an analogue clock in the kitchen and ask often: “What time is it?” and “How long until supper?”
- Ask your child to tell you the rule in their own words. If they can explain it, they understand it.
- The ticks (“I understand this”) are saved on this device only. We never ask for names or emails.
Follows CAPS for Grade 4 Maths. Always check your teacher’s notes and textbook too.