How to teach telling time on an analog clock

Telling time trips kids up because an analog clock asks them to read two hands on two different scales at once. Teach the hands one at a time, in a clear order, and it becomes far less confusing. Here is the sequence that works.

1. The hour hand first

Start with just the hour hand. Cover or remove the minute hand and practise 'o'clock' times, the hour hand pointing straight at a number. Then show that between numbers the hour hand is partway through that hour.

2. Half past, then quarter past and to

Add the minute hand for the easy landmarks: half past (minute hand on 6), then quarter past (on 3) and quarter to (on 9). Link each to where the hour hand sits, at half past three the hour hand is halfway to four.

3. Count by fives around the clock

The numbers 1 to 12 double as 5, 10, 15… for minutes. Practise skip counting by fives around the clock face so a child can read any five-minute time. This is where earlier skip-counting practice pays off.

Each number is 5 minutes apart.
Past the 12 to the 6 = minutes 'past'.
From the 6 back to the 12 = minutes 'to'.

4. Down to the minute, then digital

Once five-minute times are secure, read to the exact minute. Then connect analog to digital so children can move between both, and understand 24-hour time if your school uses it.

5. Elapsed time

The hardest step is elapsed time, how long between two times. Use a number line of hours and minutes and count on: from 2:40 to 3:15 is 20 minutes to 3:00, then 15 more, so 35 minutes.

Free clock practice

SproutSheets makes printable telling-time and elapsed-time worksheets with answer keys, with clocks drawn to the exact time. Make one at the level your class needs.