【1st Grade Math】Master How to Read the Clock!

Hello, first graders! Today, let’s study something essential to our daily lives: the "clock."
Whether it's "time for school," "lunchtime," or "bedtime," being able to read the clock helps you keep track of your own schedule, which is super cool!
It might feel a little tricky at first, but don't worry. Once you learn a few simple points, you'll be reading it in no time.

1. Learn the names of the clock "hands"

A clock has two "hands." Let’s start by learning their names and what they do.

① The short hand

This hand tells us the "hour." You just read the number that this hand is pointing at.
(Example: If it’s pointing at 3, it is 3 o'clock)

② The long hand

This hand tells us the "minutes." For first grade, we will practice reading the time when this hand is at either "12" or "6."

【Pro Tip!】
First, take a good look and see which one is the "short" hand and which is the "long" hand!

2. How to read "o'clock" (On the dot)

When the long hand is at "12," we read it as "〇 o'clock."

Steps to read the time:
1. First, check if the long hand is at "12"!
2. Next, see which number the short hand is pointing at.
3. Say that number and add "o'clock" to it.

(Examples)
・Short hand at "1", long hand at "12" → 1 o'clock
・Short hand at "8", long hand at "12" → 8 o'clock

【Trivia】Tricky pronunciations

There are a few hours where the pronunciation is a little different, so be careful:
・4 o'clock (yoji) *We don't say "shiji".
・7 o'clock (shichiji)
・9 o'clock (kuji) *We don't say "kyuuji".
Keep saying these out loud until you remember them!

3. How to read "half past" (Half an hour)

When the long hand goes halfway around and lands on "6," we call it "half past."

Here is the tricky part:
When the long hand is at "6," the short hand is pointing right in the middle of two numbers.
At this time, we always read the "smaller number."

(Example)
・The short hand is between "1" and "2".
・The long hand is at "6".
→ Choose the smaller number, "1", and read it as half past 1.

【Common Mistake】
Sometimes, people see the short hand getting close to the "2" and want to call it "half past 2."
But, since it "hasn't reached 2 yet," it is still "half past 1"! Try asking yourself, "Which number did it just pass?"

4. Steps to becoming a Clock Master

Here is a summary of the tips for reading the clock:

  • If the long hand is at "12" ➔ "〇 o'clock"
  • If the long hand is at "6" ➔ "half past 〇"
  • If the short hand is between numbers ➔ Read the number it just passed

【Practice at home】
Try to get into the habit of checking the clock when you are having a meal or watching TV and ask, "What time is it now?"
It’s fun to spot specific times, like \( 7:00 \) (7 o'clock) or \( 7:30 \) (half past 7)!

5. Finally

Studying the clock will definitely get easier the more you look at the numbers every day.
Try playing it like a quiz: "Since it's between 3 and 4... it must be half past 3!"
Next time, we’ll learn how to read more detailed "minutes," but for now, let's master these "o'clock" and "half past" times perfectly. I'm cheering for you!