Telling Time to the Half Hour

O'clock and half past, mixed on one sheet. The half hour is where clock reading gets its first real difficulty: at half past three the hour hand sits squarely between the 3 and the 4, and a student reading the nearest number gets four o'clock instead.

The clocks here draw the hour hand where it actually falls, so that mistake is available to make - which is the only way to catch and correct it. Nine clocks to a page, printed large.

Frequently asked questions

Why do students read half past three as four o'clock?

Because the hour hand is nearly at the 4 and they read the nearer number. The fix is noticing that the hour is the number the hand has passed, not the one it is closest to.

What grade is this?

First grade, usually taught right after the hour.

Can I get just o'clock times?

Yes - the Telling Time to the Hour page keeps the minute hand pointing at the 12 throughout.

Is there an answer key?

Turn on Include Answer Pages and a key prints behind each worksheet page - digital times for the clocks to read, and clocks with the hands drawn for the ones to fill in.