Time in Words for Grade 2

Learning to Tell Time in Words

Hello, Grade 2 students! Today we're going to learn how to read clocks and say the time in words. Knowing how to tell time is an important skill that helps us plan our day and be on time for school, activities, and fun with friends.

Reading Hours and Half Hours

Let's start with the basics. When the minute hand points to 12 (at the top of the clock), we can read the time by looking at where the hour hand is pointing.

2:00

Two o'clock

When the minute hand points to 6 (at the bottom of the clock), we say it's "half past" the hour.

4:30

Half past four

Four thirty

Quarter Past and Quarter To

When the minute hand points to 3 (on the right side of the clock), we say it's "quarter past" the hour.

6:15

Quarter past six

Six fifteen

When the minute hand points to 9 (on the left side of the clock), we say it's "quarter to" the next hour.

8:45

Quarter to nine

Eight forty-five

Different Ways to Say the Time

There are two main ways to say the time:

  1. Using "past" and "to"
  2. Using hours and minutes

Examples:

  • 3:10 - "Ten past three" or "Three ten"
  • 5:25 - "Twenty-five past five" or "Five twenty-five"
  • 7:40 - "Twenty to eight" or "Seven forty"
  • 9:50 - "Ten to ten" or "Nine fifty"

Morning and Evening Time

We use special words to talk about whether a time is in the morning or evening:

  • AM - This means the time is between midnight (12:00 at night) and noon (12:00 in the day).
  • PM - This means the time is between noon (12:00 in the day) and midnight (12:00 at night).

For example:

  • 7:00 AM - "Seven o'clock in the morning"
  • 3:30 PM - "Half past three in the afternoon"
  • 8:15 PM - "Quarter past eight in the evening"

Let's Practice!

Try saying these times in words:

1. What time is 5:00?

2. What time is 2:30?

3. What time is 9:15?

4. What time is 7:45?

5. What time is 4:20?

Fun activity: Make a paper clock with moving hands to practice telling time!

Time in Our Daily Lives

Think about the different times in your day:

  • What time do you wake up?
  • What time do you eat breakfast?
  • What time does school start?
  • What time is lunch?
  • What time do you go to bed?

Try writing these times in both numbers (like 7:30) and words (like "half past seven").

Remember!

The big hand shows minutes, and the small hand shows hours. When you're learning to tell time, practice by looking at clocks throughout the day and saying the time in words. Soon, you'll be a time-telling expert!