Grade 3 Mathematics Measurements – Time Notes

What is time?

Time tells us when things happen. We use time to know when school starts, when we eat, and when we sleep.

Units of time

• 1 second — a short beat. (e.g., one clap)
• 60 seconds = 1 minute (60 s = 1 min)
• 60 minutes = 1 hour (60 min = 1 h)
• 24 hours = 1 day (we sleep at night)
• 7 days = 1 week
• 12 months = 1 year

Read a clock

There are two common clocks:

• Analog clock — round with hour and minute hands.
• Digital clock — shows numbers like 08:00 or 12:30.

Words to learn

• O'clock — exact hour (e.g., 9 o'clock = 09:00)
• Half past — 30 minutes after the hour (e.g., half past 7 = 7:30)
• Quarter past — 15 minutes after (e.g., quarter past 4 = 4:15)
• Quarter to — 15 minutes before (e.g., quarter to 5 = 4:45)
• AM — morning hours (midnight to midday). PM — afternoon and night (midday to midnight).

Practice: try these

1. Draw the hands on a clock for 10:00.
2. Write the digital time: half past three.
3. What time is quarter to 2? Write in numbers (e.g., 01:45).
4. School starts at 08:00. How many hours from 08:00 to 14:00?
5. Tick the correct choice: 12:00 noon is AM or PM?

Helpful tips

• Count by 5s around an analog clock to find minutes (5, 10, 15...).
• Use daily routines: school times, prayer times, and market times to practise reading time.
• Ask a friend or family member to quiz you: "What time is it now?" and check the clock together.