Primary Standards:

MAFS.1.MD.2.3 Tell and write time in hours and half-hours using analog and digital clocks.

Connecting Standards:

MAFS.1.G.1.3 Partition circles and rectangles into two and four equal shares, describe the shares using the words halves, fourths, and quarters, and use the phrases half of, fourth of, and quarter of.  Describe the whole as two of, or four of the shares.  Understand for these examples that decomposing into more equal shares creates smaller shares.

Content Knowledge:

First graders are introduced to the concept of telling time to the hour and half hour on an analog clock.  Students do not often get an opportunity to see time on an analog clock, most modern clocks contain digital displays.  A foundational skill of telling time is an understanding of the analog clock face.  Helping students see the numbers on an analog clock face is an important first step.  Building number lines out of objects or even students numbered 1-12, which can then be moved into a circle will help with this recognition.

Becoming familiar with the clock face, exploring the meanings of the hour and minute hands, understanding the concept of half of an hour and lots of practice telling time on analog clocks build the foundation for telling time that is further refined in second grade.  Students should have ample time outside of the math block where the importance of time is emphasized in their lives.


GCG 1 – Learning Goal: As a Mathematician, I will be able to Explore the Analog Clock

  • Step 1: Explore and identify the parts of an Analog Clock by creating one
  • Step 2: Compare Analog Clocks to Digital Clocks
  • Step 3: Relate a Number Line to an Analog Clock

GCG 2 – Learning Goal: As a Mathematician, I will be able to Tell Time to the Hour

  • Step 1: Understand that 60 minutes equals 1 hour and relate 1 whole in fractions to 1 whole hour
  • Step 2: Tell Time to the Nearest Hour on an Analog Clock and Write the Time on a Digital Clock
  • Step 3: Represent a given Digital Time to the nearest hour on an Analog Clock

GCG 3 – Learning Goal: As a Mathematician, I will be able to Tell Time to the Half Hour

  • Step 1: Understand that 30 minutes equals 1 half hour and relate a half hour to half of a whole in fractions
  • Step 2: Tell Time to the Nearest Half Hour on an Analog Clock and Write the Time on a Digital Clock
  • Step 3: Represent a given Digital Time to the nearest half hour on an Analog Clock