Tell the time to the hour and half hour using the hour and minute hands

I can use both hands on a clock face to show what hour it is and when it is half past the hour.

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Tell the time to the hour and half hour using the hour and minute hands

I can use both hands on a clock face to show what hour it is and when it is half past the hour.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

The long hand points to 12 when the time is on the hour.
We say ___ o'clock when the time is on the hour.
The minute hand moves all the way round the clock in one hour.
When the minute hand is pointing to the 6, it is half past.

Keywords

Hour hand - The shorter hand on a clock that points to the hours.
Minute hand - The longer hand on a clock that points to the minutes.
O'clock - Used with the numbers 1 to 12 when telling the time, to mean an exact hour.

Common misconception

Pupils will often mix the hour hand and the minute hand, labelling each as the other.

The lesson presents two stem sentences which run through each cycle. The use of these stem sentences, alongside frequent opportunities to practise interpreting clocks, outside of the lesson will help pupils to secure the learning.

Stem sentences are a great way to scaffold learning. Like any scaffolding, it should be removed when possible, but saying the sentences when working with pupils during the 'Practice' tasks is a useful way to support those still struggling with the concepts presented.

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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).