1
Reading the clock
Discover P2 Term 1: Axis 1, Chapter 1
GoalRead the clock to the hour, the half hour and the quarter hour, and put the parts of my day in order.
New words
hour hand · the short hand; it shows the hourminute hand · the long hand; it shows the minuteso’clock · the long hand points to 12half past · the long hand points to 6
Explanation
A clock helps us plan our day. The short hand shows the hour. The long hand shows the minutes. When the long hand points to 12, it is an o’clock time. When it points to 6, it is half past. When it points to 3, it is quarter past. Every day has a routine, which means things we do in the same order. We wake up, get dressed, eat breakfast, go to school, do homework, play, have dinner and sleep.
Worked examples
Marwan’s alarm rings at 7 o’clock. The short hand points to 7 and the long hand points to 12.
Mariam leaves for school at half past 7. The long hand points to 6 and the short hand is half way between 7 and 8.
Youssef does his homework at quarter past 4. The long hand points to 3 and the short hand is just after 4.
Class activity
Make a paper-plate clock with a grown-up. Write the numbers 1 to 12 around the plate. A grown-up cuts two hands from card and fixes them with a paper fastener. Show 8 o’clock, half past 8 and quarter past 8. Then tell a friend what you do at each time of your day.
Practice
1
What time does the clock show?
9 o’clock.
2
What time does this clock show?
Half past 2.
3
Put these in order: sleep, wake up, eat breakfast.
Wake up, eat breakfast, sleep.
4
Where does the long hand point at 5 o’clock?
To the number 12.