Showing 4 o'clock
The long hand points to 12 and the short hand points to 4.
4 o'clock
For o'clock, the long hand must always point to 12.
Year 1
Draw the hands on a clock face to show o'clock and half past
Place the long hand and short hand correctly to show o'clock and half past times.
Lesson overview
Measurement
To show a time on a clock, we need both hands in the correct places. For o'clock, the long minute hand points to 12 and the short hour hand points to the hour. For half past, the long minute hand points to 6 and the short hour hand sits between two numbers.
Showing half past 2
The long hand points to 6 and the short hand sits between 2 and 3.
half past 2
For half past, the long hand points to 6 and the short hand is between the hours.
Showing 8 o'clock
The long hand points to 12 and the short hand points to 8.
8 o'clock
Use the short hand to show the hour.
Worked example
How should the hands look for half past 5?
- Read the time words first.
- Half past means the long hand points to 6.
- Now find the hour number 5.
- The short hand should sit between 5 and 6, a little after 5.
Answer: Long hand on 6, short hand between 5 and 6
Try it
Choose where the hands should go to show each time.
Question 1
To show 3 o'clock, where should the long hand point?
Question 2
To show half past 4, where should the long hand point?
Question 3
To show 7 o'clock, where should the short hand point?
Question 4
For half past 1, where should the short hand go?
Question 5
Which hand pattern shows 9 o'clock?
Common mistakes
These reminders help when placing clock hands.
- Putting the long hand on 12 for half past.
- Pointing the short hand at the next hour instead of between the two hours for half past.
- Mixing up the long minute hand and the short hour hand.
Related topics
These connect closely to drawing and reading simple times.
- Tell the time to the hour and half past the hour.
- Use language relating to dates, including days of the week, weeks, months and years.