Tutorpip← About this lessonOpen the sheet →Download PDF
Grade 1 · Maths · Lessons
O'clock and half past
🕐o'clock🕧half past⏰alarm🕰️clock
Telling the time.
The big ideaThe short hand tells the hour, the long hand the minutes.

How it works

The short hand tells the hour. The long hand tells the minutes.

At o'clock, the long hand points straight up at the 12.

At half past, the long hand points straight down at the 6.

O'clock• long hand on 12• short hand on the hourHalf past• long hand on 6• short hand between two hours
Two times.

Example 1: 10 o'clock

  1. The short hand is on 10. The long hand is on 12.
  2. That is o'clock.
  3. The time is 10:00.

Example 2: 9 o'clock

  1. The short hand is on 9. The long hand is on 12.
  2. The hour is 9.
  3. The time is 9:00.

Example 3: Half past 12

  1. The short hand is between 12 and 1. The long hand is on 6.
  2. The long hand on 6 means half past.
  3. The time is 12:30.

Words to know

hour hand
The short hand. It shows the hour.
minute hand
The long hand. It shows the minutes.

Watch out

Try it

  1. Short hand on 3, long hand on 12. What time is it?
  2. Long hand on 6 and short hand between 7 and 8. What time?
  3. Which hand shows the hour?
  4. Where is the long hand at o'clock?
Answers: 1. 3:00 · 2. 7:30 · 3. the short hand · 4. on the 12
For grown-upsSay 'what time is it?' at every o'clock and half past, and let your child check the clock.
Open these notes on screenScan the code, or go to tutorpip.com.