Grade 2Mathmedium
Telling Time: Hours and Half Hours
Practice reading analog clocks showing hours, half hours, and quarter hours with medium difficulty problems
Download Free PDF
No signup required — instant download
telling-timeanalog-clockshoursminutesquarter-hourshalf-hourssecond-grade
Worksheet Preview
What Your Child Will Learn
- Identify the hour hand and minute hand on analog clocks and explain their different functions
- Read analog clocks accurately when the minute hand points to 12 (o'clock times) and 6 (half past times)
- Determine the correct time when the minute hand points to 3 (quarter past) and 9 (quarter to)
- Distinguish between times that look similar, such as 3:30 versus 6:15, by carefully observing both clock hands
- Express time using both digital format (3:30) and spoken format (half past three, quarter past six)
How to Use This Worksheet
- Step 1: Have your child identify and point to the hour hand (short) and minute hand (long) on each clock before reading the time
- Step 2: For each clock, ask your child to first tell you which hour the short hand is pointing to or near
- Step 3: Next, have them identify where the long hand is pointing - to 12 for o'clock, 6 for half past, 3 for quarter past, or 9 for quarter to
- Step 4: Guide them to combine both pieces of information to state the complete time in two ways: digital format and word format
- Step 5: Review any incorrect answers by covering one hand at a time to help them focus on reading each hand separately
Tips for Parents & Teachers
Help students remember that the short, thick hand points to the hour while the long hand shows minutes - use the phrase 'short for hour, long for minutes' as a memory aid
Many second graders confuse 6:30 with 12:30 because they focus only on the minute hand pointing to 6 - teach them to always check the hour hand position first
When teaching quarter hours, emphasize that 'quarter past' means 15 minutes after the hour and 'quarter to' means 15 minutes before the next hour - use real quarters (25-cent coins) to show fractions
Students often struggle when the hour hand is between numbers for half-hour times - explain that at 2:30, the hour hand is halfway between 2 and 3, not pointing directly at 2
Frequently Asked Questions
My child keeps confusing the hour and minute hands. How can I help them remember the difference?
Use physical comparisons they can relate to - the hour hand is 'short like a thumb' and moves slowly, while the minute hand is 'long like a pointer finger' and moves faster. Practice having them trace each hand with their finger while saying 'short hand shows hours, long hand shows minutes.'
Why does my second grader struggle with times like 4:30 when the hour hand isn't pointing directly at the 4?
This is very common! Explain that clock hands move continuously, not in jumps. At 4:30, the hour hand is halfway between 4 and 5 because half the hour has passed. Use a real analog clock and move the hands slowly to show how they travel together.
Should I teach both 'quarter past' and '15 minutes after' or just focus on one way?
At the second-grade level, start with the simpler 'quarter past' and 'half past' language since it relates to fractions they're learning. Once they master this, you can introduce '15 minutes after' and '30 minutes after' as alternative ways to say the same time.
My child can read o'clock times but struggles with half hours and quarter hours. What's the best practice approach?
Master one concept at a time. Start with half hours only (minute hand pointing to 6) until confident, then add quarter past (minute hand on 3), and finally quarter to (minute hand on 9). Use real-world connections like 'half past three is snack time' to make it meaningful.
How can I help my child remember the difference between 'quarter to' and 'quarter past'?
Related Worksheets
More Math Worksheets
Related Articles
How to Teach Telling Time to First Graders: A Step-by-Step Guide
Learn how to teach telling time to first graders at home with proven step-by-step strategies, hands-on clock activities, fun games, and printable worksheets.
Fun Multiplication Activities for Third Grade at Home
Discover fun multiplication activities for third grade that make times tables practice engaging — includes games, hands-on ideas, and free printable worksheets.
How to Teach Fractions to Kids: A Parent's Complete Guide
Learn how to teach fractions to kids in grades 2–5 with proven strategies, visual models, and hands-on methods that build real understanding — not just memorized rules.
Get Free Worksheets in Your Inbox
Subscribe for new worksheets and homeschool tips. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.