The long hand counts by fives as it goes around: on the 1 it's 5, on the 2 it's 10, on the 3 it's 15… The short hand stays on the hour until it reaches the next number.
Worked example
What time is it?
Answer:4:10
The short hand tells the hour. It has gone past the 4 but hasn't reached the 5 yet, so the hour is still 4. The long hand counts by fives, starting from the 12. It points at the 2: 5, 10. So the time is 4:10.
For grown-ups: Time to nearest 5 minutes; a.m./p.m.. Below: three problems to try with the worked answers, and a free printable sheet. Children can practise the same skill as a game, with no sign-up and no ads.
CCSS 2.MD.C.7
What this practises, for teachers
Practices time to nearest 5 minutes; a.m./p.m. (2.MD.C.7). A printable sheet with its answer key, worked answers on the page, no accounts.
The short hand tells the hour. It has gone past the 11 but hasn't reached the 12 yet, so the hour is still 11. The long hand counts by fives, starting from the 12. It points at the 11: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55. So the time is 11:55.
What time is it?
Show the answer and how
Answer:7:55
The short hand tells the hour. It has gone past the 7 but hasn't reached the 8 yet, so the hour is still 7. The long hand counts by fives, starting from the 12. It points at the 11: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55. So the time is 7:55.
What time is it?
Show the answer and how
Answer:6:40
The short hand tells the hour. It has gone past the 6 but hasn't reached the 7 yet, so the hour is still 6. The long hand counts by fives, starting from the 12. It points at the 8: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40. So the time is 6:40.