Grade 3 · Measurement & Data · MAT-03-MD-001
Tell Time to the Nearest Minute
Represent tell time to the nearest minute with words, symbols, diagrams, or models appropriate to Grade 3.
Learning objectives
What you should be able to do
- Represent tell time to the nearest minute with words, symbols, diagrams, or models appropriate to Grade 3.
- Solve problems involving tell time to the nearest minute accurately and explain why the method works.
- Check results for reasonableness using a second representation, inverse relationship, benchmark, or property when appropriate.
Prerequisite check
Make sure the foundation is ready.
Checks conceptual readiness before new Grade 3 reasoning.
Checks whether prior skills are available for use, not only recalled by name.
Learn
Build the idea from meaning, not memorization.
Meaning of Tell Time to the Nearest Minute
Minute precision requires reading both the hour position and the minute hand's exact tick.
A reliable reasoning strategy
Count five-minute groups from the clock numbers, then add individual minute marks as needed.
Representations that should agree
Analog and digital time are two notations for the same point in a 60-minute hour. A correct model, equation, verbal explanation, or diagram should preserve the same quantities and relationships.
How to check the result
Check whether the answer fits the quantities, units, and structure of the problem. Use a second representation or inverse relationship when available, and explain what would make an answer unreasonable.
Interactive math lab
Change it. See what stays true.
Number Line Explorer
Move along the number line.
4 is one less. 5 and 6 is one more.
- build a model
- change one quantity
- predict before calculating
- explain why the result changes
Worked examples
Twenty different ways to see the concept work.
Write the time shown by an hour hand near 2 and a minute hand at minute 7.
2:07The minute hand gives exact minutes while the hour hand identifies the current hour.
Write the time shown by an hour hand near 3 and a minute hand at minute 14.
3:14The minute hand gives exact minutes while the hour hand identifies the current hour.
Write the time shown by an hour hand near 4 and a minute hand at minute 21.
4:21The minute hand gives exact minutes while the hour hand identifies the current hour.
Write the time shown by an hour hand near 5 and a minute hand at minute 28.
5:28The minute hand gives exact minutes while the hour hand identifies the current hour.
Write the time shown by an hour hand near 6 and a minute hand at minute 35.
6:35The minute hand gives exact minutes while the hour hand identifies the current hour.
Write the time shown by an hour hand near 7 and a minute hand at minute 42.
7:42The minute hand gives exact minutes while the hour hand identifies the current hour.
Write the time shown by an hour hand near 8 and a minute hand at minute 49.
8:49The minute hand gives exact minutes while the hour hand identifies the current hour.
Write the time shown by an hour hand near 9 and a minute hand at minute 56.
9:56The minute hand gives exact minutes while the hour hand identifies the current hour.
Write the time shown by an hour hand near 10 and a minute hand at minute 3.
10:03The minute hand gives exact minutes while the hour hand identifies the current hour.
Write the time shown by an hour hand near 11 and a minute hand at minute 10.
11:10The minute hand gives exact minutes while the hour hand identifies the current hour.
Write the time shown by an hour hand near 12 and a minute hand at minute 17.
12:17The minute hand gives exact minutes while the hour hand identifies the current hour.
Write the time shown by an hour hand near 1 and a minute hand at minute 24.
1:24The minute hand gives exact minutes while the hour hand identifies the current hour.
Write the time shown by an hour hand near 2 and a minute hand at minute 31.
2:31The minute hand gives exact minutes while the hour hand identifies the current hour.
Write the time shown by an hour hand near 3 and a minute hand at minute 38.
3:38The minute hand gives exact minutes while the hour hand identifies the current hour.
Write the time shown by an hour hand near 4 and a minute hand at minute 45.
4:45The minute hand gives exact minutes while the hour hand identifies the current hour.
Write the time shown by an hour hand near 5 and a minute hand at minute 52.
5:52The minute hand gives exact minutes while the hour hand identifies the current hour.
Write the time shown by an hour hand near 6 and a minute hand at minute 59.
6:59The minute hand gives exact minutes while the hour hand identifies the current hour.
Write the time shown by an hour hand near 7 and a minute hand at minute 6.
7:06The minute hand gives exact minutes while the hour hand identifies the current hour.
Write the time shown by an hour hand near 8 and a minute hand at minute 13.
8:13The minute hand gives exact minutes while the hour hand identifies the current hour.
Write the time shown by an hour hand near 9 and a minute hand at minute 20.
9:20The minute hand gives exact minutes while the hour hand identifies the current hour.
Practice
Guided practice with hints
01Write the time shown by an hour hand near 8 and a minute hand at minute 37.
Hint: Count five-minute groups from the clock numbers, then add individual minute marks as needed.
Answer: 8:37
02Write the time shown by an hour hand near 9 and a minute hand at minute 44.
Hint: Count five-minute groups from the clock numbers, then add individual minute marks as needed.
Answer: 9:44
03Write the time shown by an hour hand near 10 and a minute hand at minute 51.
Hint: Count five-minute groups from the clock numbers, then add individual minute marks as needed.
Answer: 10:51
04Write the time shown by an hour hand near 11 and a minute hand at minute 58.
Hint: Count five-minute groups from the clock numbers, then add individual minute marks as needed.
Answer: 11:58
05Write the time shown by an hour hand near 12 and a minute hand at minute 5.
Hint: Count five-minute groups from the clock numbers, then add individual minute marks as needed.
Answer: 12:05
06Write the time shown by an hour hand near 1 and a minute hand at minute 12.
Hint: Count five-minute groups from the clock numbers, then add individual minute marks as needed.
Answer: 1:12
Practice
Independent practice
01Write the time shown by an hour hand near 4 and a minute hand at minute 57.
Answer: 4:57
02Write the time shown by an hour hand near 5 and a minute hand at minute 4.
Answer: 5:04
03Write the time shown by an hour hand near 6 and a minute hand at minute 11.
Answer: 6:11
04Write the time shown by an hour hand near 7 and a minute hand at minute 18.
Answer: 7:18
05Write the time shown by an hour hand near 8 and a minute hand at minute 25.
Answer: 8:25
06Write the time shown by an hour hand near 9 and a minute hand at minute 32.
Answer: 9:32
07Write the time shown by an hour hand near 10 and a minute hand at minute 39.
Answer: 10:39
08Write the time shown by an hour hand near 11 and a minute hand at minute 46.
Answer: 11:46
Common mistakes
Learn to catch the error, not just the answer.
Use the minute hand for minutes and the hour hand's position between numbers for the hour.
Reconnect the answer to tell time to the nearest minute and verify that the model, calculation, and label describe the same quantity.
Applications & challenge
Use the idea beyond a single exercise.
Applications
- Read schedules, appointment times, and classroom clocks.
- Use tell time to the nearest minute to interpret or solve a Grade 3 situation with quantities, diagrams, measurements, or data.
Challenge problems
Write the time shown by an hour hand near 12 and a minute hand at minute 17.
12:17
Write the time shown by an hour hand near 1 and a minute hand at minute 24.
1:24
Write the time shown by an hour hand near 2 and a minute hand at minute 31.
2:31
Write the time shown by an hour hand near 3 and a minute hand at minute 38.
3:38
Flashcards
Retrieve it from memory.
Flashcards
Card 1 of 4
Game mode
Tell Time to the Nearest Minute Challenge
Solve and explain Grade 3 problems involving tell time to the nearest minute without relying on answer guessing.
Practice
Mastery check
01Write the time shown by an hour hand near 8 and a minute hand at minute 37.
Answer: 8:37
02Write the time shown by an hour hand near 9 and a minute hand at minute 44.
Answer: 9:44
03Write the time shown by an hour hand near 10 and a minute hand at minute 51.
Answer: 10:51
04Write the time shown by an hour hand near 11 and a minute hand at minute 58.
Answer: 11:58
05Write the time shown by an hour hand near 12 and a minute hand at minute 5.
Answer: 12:05
06Write the time shown by an hour hand near 1 and a minute hand at minute 12.
Answer: 1:12
07Write the time shown by an hour hand near 2 and a minute hand at minute 19.
Answer: 2:19
08Write the time shown by an hour hand near 3 and a minute hand at minute 26.
Answer: 3:26
Terminology
Words to know
- minute
- One sixtieth of an hour.
- analog clock
- A clock that shows time with rotating hands.
Continue learning
Connected concepts
Curriculum references
Standards and instructional references
California Common Core State Standards for Mathematics — Grade 3, 3.MD.1
Primary standards alignment for Tell Time to the Nearest Minute.2023 Mathematics Framework for California Public Schools
Instructional emphasis on reasoning, representations, problem solving, and equitable access.