How do you teach a first grader to read an analog clock?

Start with the hour hand only: cover the minute hand and practice identifying what hour it points to. Once that is solid, introduce the minute hand. Teach that when the minute hand points to 12, it is exactly on the hour; when it points to 6, it is half past. Worksheets with clock faces at various times help students practice without a physical clock available.

Should first graders use analog or digital clocks?

CCSS 1.MD.B.3 specifies both. Analog clock reading requires spatial reasoning and is more cognitively demanding, so teach it explicitly. Digital clocks are generally easier to read. Understanding both formats helps children in everyday life. Worksheets that show one format and ask students to draw or write the other reinforce conversion between representations.

1st Grade Telling time Worksheets

Ages 6-7 · Free previews · Print-ready PDFs

Written by Adi Ackerman, Head Teacher

Free printable telling time worksheets for 1st grade students (Ages 6-7). Aligned to Common Core standards. Ready to print.

1st Grade Math Time Telling time Clear All

$Check the time on the clock face (half hours) - Basketball - 1st Grade Time worksheet preview$

Check the time on the clock face (half hours) - Basketball

Grade1st Grade

TopicTime

$Check the time on the clock face (half hours) - Park Fun - 1st Grade Time worksheet preview$

Check the time on the clock face (half hours) - Park Fun

Grade1st Grade

TopicTime

$Check the time on the clock face (half hours) - Video Games - 1st Grade Time worksheet preview$

Check the time on the clock face (half hours) - Video Games

Grade1st Grade

TopicTime

$Draw the time on the clock (whole hours) - Finish - 2nd Grade Time worksheet preview$

Draw the time on the clock (whole hours) - Finish

GradeGrades 2 & 1

TopicTime

$Draw the time on the clock (whole hours) - Race - 2nd Grade Time worksheet preview$

Draw the time on the clock (whole hours) - Race

GradeGrades 2 & 1

TopicTime

$Units of Time (seconds, minutes, hours) - Glove - Kindergarten Time worksheet preview$

Units of Time (seconds, minutes, hours) - Glove

GradeGrades K & 1

TopicTime

$Units of Time (seconds, minutes, hours) - Napping - Kindergarten Time worksheet preview$

Units of Time (seconds, minutes, hours) - Napping

GradeGrades K & 1

TopicTime

$Fast or Slow - Singer - Kindergarten Time worksheet preview$

Fast or Slow - Singer

GradeGrades K & 1

TopicTime

$Telling time (whole hours) - Alarm - 2nd Grade Time worksheet preview$

Telling time (whole hours) - Alarm

GradeGrades 2 & 1

TopicTime

$Telling time: 5 minute intervals (draw the clock) - Hot air balloon - 2nd Grade Time worksheet preview$

Telling time: 5 minute intervals (draw the clock) - Hot air balloon

GradeGrades 2 & 1

TopicTime

$Time phrases - Bunny - 2nd Grade Time worksheet preview$

Time phrases - Bunny

GradeGrades 2 & 1

TopicTime

Frequently Asked Questions

First graders should tell and write time to the hour and half-hour using both analog and digital clocks (CCSS 1.MD.B.3). They should understand that the hour hand points to the hour and the minute hand points to 12 (for on the hour) or 6 (for half past). Most curricula also introduce vocabulary like o'clock and half past.

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