Tell Time to the Nearest 5 Minutes — 2nd Grade

Ages 7–8

Second graders are expected to tell time to the nearest 5 minutes using both analog and digital formats (CCSS 2.MD.C.7). The big jump here is reading the 12 large tick marks as 5-minute guides — and understanding that the small marks in between count as 1 minute each. By end of 2nd grade, students should read any 5-minute time fluently.

Teaching Tips & Strategies

  • Label the 12 large markers with their minute values (5, 10, 15 … 55, 00) before drilling.
  • Teach the skip-count by 5 trick: start at 12 and count 5, 10, 15 for each marker.
  • Introduce AM/PM distinctions using the daily schedule.
  • Set a speed goal: identify a 5-minute time in under 5 seconds.

Curriculum Alignment

  • Tell and write time from analog and digital clocks to the nearest five minutes, using a.m. and p.m. (CCSS 2.MD.C.7)
  • Use language: quarter past, half past, quarter to, minutes past/to
  • Connect time to elapsed time problems

2nd Grade Clock Practice Game

Clocks are filtered to the level appropriate for 2nd grade students. Press Start when ready.

Continue Learning